650 First attempt

Question

Hi everyone

I took my first GMAT practice test a few days ago and scored 650 (Q41, V38). This was after one revision of the Mahattan Quant materials and no verbal revision. 
Actual test is booked for the 30th of December. Since my Verbal is already in the high 80s, I won't be spending much more time on verbal revision and would like to use the remaining 5 weeks wisely to boost my quant so that I can achieve a balanced 80/80 score. I have been doing some research but feel a bit overwhelmed in terms of options, strategies, materials and methods out there. If anyone could point me in the right direction that would be very appreciated!

Thanks and good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gianlucabac,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) When you took this CAT, did you take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

gianlucabac · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC

Thanks for getting back to me! To your questions:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied: I have studied for 5 weeks. Usually around 2-3 hours a day, one day off. 
2) What study materials have you used so far? Only the Manhattan Guides (which includes practising with some of the OG problems)
3) When you took this CAT, did you take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)? I skipped the Essay, but did the IR section.

Goals:
4) What is your goal score? 720
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School? GMAT permitting in January. Otherwise no latter than end of Feb. 
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?: In order of preference: LBS, HEC, Oxford/SDA Bocconi (tie)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gianlucabac,

Test Day is a rather specific 'event' - the details are specific and they matter, so you have to train as best as you can for all of them. The more realistic you can make your CATs, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. The more you deviate, the more "inflated" your practice scores can become. Test Day involves a variety of really specific steps and parameters (including steps before the Test even begins - such as leaving your home, traveling, etc.). Every factor matters, including the psychological ones. When you sit down on Test Day, you KNOW that you're going to be in the Computer Lab for about 4 hours - but if you're just taking individual sections (or taking a CAT without the Essay and IR sections), then you KNOW that you'll be done in 1-2 hours. The attitude and energy that you use during practice will NOT be a match for what you'll need on Test Day, so it's not a proper way to practice. As such, from now on, you should plan to take your CATs in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.).

That all having been said, Quant Scaled Scores in the low-Q40s mean that you likely know most of the 'math rules' well enough, but you're making some little mistakes and missing out on LOTS of 'strategy-based' points. Thus, while a certain amount of content review would likely be beneficial, your focus should be on patterns, Tactics and the little 'secrets' to the GMAT. Given your timeline and goals, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Quant Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in under a month, so it should fit your schedule nicely. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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