so far, failed at GMAT
. Now, after a break, I’m starting preparation again.
WHAT could I do now to improve my score??
It seemed that I exhausted all suitable sources
Could you please advise any materials, system of preparation?
I would exceptially appreciate advises of those of you who managed to improve their scores significanty (I know there are such people!!)
Probably I’ll have 1.5 months for preparation. Is it enough to increase to improve the score?
How I prepared:
1)
Official Guide 2003 – solved all math, about 2/3 reading, 2/3 sentence correction, several critical reasonings (as this part was easy for me, I didn’t practice CRs much)
2) Kaplan 2004 – solved all tests
3) Princeton cracking GMAT 2004 – solved all tests
4) Princeton Verbal 2001 – studied the material, made exercises
5) GMAT 800 – taken several tests, too easy
5) Deltacource – studied all material and solved a lot of math
I analyzed all my mistakes and systematized my preparation. I spent 2.5 months on preparation.
Math in
Official Guide seemed easy, but I solved all problems to revive my knowledge. However, the biggest problem was attention – made a lot of silly mistakes due to the lack of concentration.
I got myself accustomed to reading in GMAT’s way and I made a sound progress.
I didn’t imroved much in Sentence Correction though.
My scores at trial tests:
PowerPrep: 1st test - 550; 2nd test- 770 (after studying with
Official Guide, 1 week before The Test)
Kaplan: diagnostic test 640, further scores ranged from 590 to 650.
Princeton: 1st test 570, 2nd – 710 (2 days after 1st one), then 630 and 700.
It seems that my scores at trial tests ranged significantly depending on my mood, health, etc
(one day at Kaplan I could get 590, and just in 2 days – 650)
During The Test:
I felt that I failed Math but I was confident during verbal part. I was surprised with low verbal score. Probably I made mistakes at Sentence Correction at the beginning of the section, so I got quite easy reading passages.
I also expected Math score to be lower: I got numb with quite simple problems (I realized how simple it was simple only after test;-) and lost a lot of time. I guessed with a lot of questions at the end of the section and didn’t spend proper time for the problem in the middle.
My AWA was exceptionnaly low … merely 3.5 points… I felt quite nervous then and I really need more practice with writing (surprisingly, I’ve got 5.5 out of 6 points on TOEFL essay one week after GMAT).
Please share your experience!