660 + 100+ points increase possible?

Hi Rich.

Yes you are right. Prior to giving my first attempt I was exploring the potential for 700/+ via stratey/potential maximization on the last day of the exam.
Now my goal is a 750+ and want to ENSURE the score in practice and only then will I register.

Thanks

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Hi algorithmic22,

While raising a 660 to a 750+ is possible, it will likely take at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. To consistently score at that 750+ level, you can't afford to have any 'holes' in your knowledge, you have to be well-versed in Tactics and the various patterns that GMAT questions are built around and you have to eliminate silly/little mistakes from your work. You can still afford to get questions wrong, but not the ones that are 'gettable.'

Right now, with a Q43, you made little mistakes throughout the Quant section and you missed out on lots of 'strategy-based' points. With a V38, you don't have any big 'weak spots' in the Verbal section, so your focus has to shift a bit towards learning about the types of common wrong answers that appear (so that you can learn to spot/avoid them). All of this will be easier to accomplish if you focus on GMAT materials that will teach you those Tactics and patterns (and emphasize those same ideas throughout the materials).

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

Okay so I need to systematize. I'm game. How do I go about this I havnt studied since my last attempt 3 days ago. I have classes starting Monday so I want to inculcate what I plan into a routine based program.

With that in mind, my general idea to improve verbal has been studying for SC separately mostly theory. With some examples everyday. For RC and CR I think practising LSAT will be good for me. Though the CR is different, the level of skill in the English language and logical deduction required is one up the GMAT.
It is also 'official' material written by Pearson Vue, albeit for a different set of skills. However, I feel the overarching goal of testing 'logical English' under timed conditions is similar. Not to mention that I have read about various people who succeeded on the last doing similarly well, if not better, on the GMAT verbal. As such, I find no reason to hunting for material here. Though you are right that a I will have to study the way GMAT presents wrong answers especially for Critical reading portion.

Needless to say it is hard to find good GMAT verbal material anyway.

However, I am a bit unsure of quant. Since I was performing at a higher level pre test, I feel nerves got the better of me in the test so I also need such reaffirmation from via data. Do you think ordering the ESR will any good in this case to verify suspicious?

Although this won't change much, I feel it will point what exactly I need to address not just in terms of topics but strategy as well?

I used the mgmat books previously for quant. What do you recommend for a more extensive and in depth study for the GMAT quant. I find I understand quant better by studying every nuance. For example the derivation of a formula as opposed to simply applying it( though this example is a bit far fetched in trying to explain what I mean).

Could you Please advise on the previous post didn't quote you accidently..thanks rich

Hi algorithmic22,

To start, while ESR reports don't provide that much information, the Enhanced Score Report usually includes a few data points that can help to define why you scored at the level you did on the Official GMAT and it can point certain areas that you need to work on to improve your scores. This is all meant to say that you might find it useful to purchase the ESR.

While there are some Test Takers and Experts who believe that using LSAT materials during their studies is a good idea, I am NOT one of them. While LSAT LR has a lot in common with GMAT CR (and LSAT RC has a lot in common with GMAT RC), there are enough differences to make those LSAT resources less than ideal. To start, the LSAT includes a wider range of question types and 'design logic' than the GMAT does, so you'd be learning/practicing ideas that you will NOT face on the Official GMAT. To be clear, that doesn't necessarily mean that LSAT LR/RC is 'harder' - you'll just be wasting your time on concepts that you won't be tested on during the GMAT. In addition, most LSAT prompts are presented in print (and you can solve them with pencil-and-paper) - NEITHER of those aspects is realistic relative to how you have to deal with the Official GMAT. Finally, there are plenty of useful GMAT resources to be had, so there's no good reason to be using LSAT resources during your GMAT studies.

From what you've described, you used a 'book heavy' study approach for your first attempt - and that might have inadvertently led you to get 'stuck' at this score level. Even the best books are limited in what they can teach you; they also can't force you to approach questions in a certain way and their explanations are often one-sided. For this next attempt, you would likely benefit a great deal by investing in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led), which would keep you focused on Tactics, patterns and the little 'secrets' to the GMAT. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then just let me know.

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

Hey!!!

So this is my first reply on the site but I can tell you it is truly possible! I already started out with a GMAT diagnostic score of 560 (mainly due to rushing and careless mistakes). I can tell you with all the available resources out there and diligent practice every day I am now scoring in the mid-700s on my CAT exams. My general plan of study was gradually progress in levels of difficulty of problems starting with easier resources such as Kaplan and PR and than moving on to harder resources such as MGMAT, beatthegmat CAT and various 700-800 problems. It can be done with enough patience and dedication. Number one piece of advice save the OG books for last they are your most valuable resource!!!!

That is amazing! what resources did you use for quant? Also have you given the real thing yet?

Lots and lots of quant problems. Mostly MGMat beat the GMAT Kaplan 800+. There are so many free resources out there.


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