690 in First GMAT Attempt. Strategy for the Second One?

Question

Hi Experts,

I gave my first attempt at GMAT yesterday, scoring a 690. Although this score falls within the range of scores accepted at my target schools, I would like to prepare for another attempt with a target score of 720 or higher. I am unsure of the strategy to follow, as I had prepared for 3-3.5 months and had exhausted a number of OG questions, CATs, and online question banks before the test. Can someone please suggest a good strategy that I can follow for 4-5 weeks and appropriate preparation material to prepare for my second attempt?

My background: An Indian engineer, with 2 years of experience as a software developer, I am ready to put in as much time as the schedule demands.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sharmavanya332,

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 (including CATs) have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on your Official GMAT?

Goals:
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

sharmavanya332 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for a quick response. 
1) I studied for the GMAT for around 3 months everyday weekday 2-3 hours after office, and 4-5 hours on weekends.
2) Materials: OG 2018, e-GMAT comprehensive course, GMATClub articles and questions; CATs: Manhattan tests and GMATPrep tests
3) My Scores on all CATs during preparation:
   a) First GMATPrep test: 680 - V35, Q48
 b) First Manhattan CAT: 690 - V37, Q47
 c) Second Manhattan CAT: 710 - V38, Q48
 d) Third Manhattan CAT: 740- V45, Q46
 e) Fourth Manhattan CAT: 740- V44, Q47
 f) Fifth Manhattan CAT: 720 - V40, Q48
 g) Second GMATPrep test: 740 - V41, Q49

4) Unofficial GMAT Score: 690- V37,Q47, IR6 (Haven't received the official report yet)
5) I am planning to apply in September-October 2018
6) My target schools are Indian School of Business (avg 710), SP Jain Institute of Management (avg 650) and Indian Institute of Management (Ahemadabad, Bangalore and Chennai, 700+)

Although my practice test scores improved over time, I was not able to cross the 700 barrier in the actual test. I'm not sure what course, material and practice test package to opt for. I am planning to attempt in 5-6 weeks again, after preparing some more. Can you please help me figure out what I should work on?

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sharmavanya332,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your CAT score results and Official Score show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 710 +/- a few points). Thus, you almost certainly have the capacity to hit your Score Goal right now, but you made a couple of little mistakes on Test Day that cost you the points that you needed. Based on your Official Score, you have the opportunity to pick up points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections, so putting some time into practicing the proper Tactics for both sections would make sense.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

sharmavanya332 · Answer

Hi Rich,

I can comfortably set aside 3-4 hours after work each weekday and 5-6 hours on weekends, as I want to attempt the test once more within the next 5-6 weeks. If you think more prep time is needed to prepare within these 5-6 weeks, I will definitely do so. Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sharmavanya332,

That would certainly be plenty of study time over the next 5- 6 weeks - and to reiterate a prior point, you could potentially hit your Goal Score right now, so all of that potential study time might not be needed. Before we discuss a specific Study Plan, I have a few additional questions about the lead-up to your Official Test Day and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
6) Did you finish any sections early?
7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?

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

sharmavanya332 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your reply.

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?  - I gave the final GMATPrep test three days before the actual test. I went through my notes and as many questions as possible in the last two days.

2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?  - I was a little nervous, but I was able to get around 6.5 hours of sleep.

3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?  - The test center was a 45 minute drive.

4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?  - I had to ask for a scratchpad and wait a little in the beginning of the Quant section. Apart from that, there were no distractions.

5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?  - During the first break, I had some coffee and a light snack. In the second break, I just drank some water and sat in the waiting area for 2-3 minutes to rest my eyes.
 
 6) Did you finish any sections early? 7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?  - I was able to finish the verbal section in time, but had to guess the last two questions in Quant.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sharmavanya332,

The process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically shouldn't take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. By taking a CAT a few days before your Official GMAT - and then working on 'as many questions as you could' in the last 2 days - there's a reasonable chance that you experienced some 'burn out' on Test Day. In addition, it's not clear whether you took your CATs at home or not, but having to drive 45 minutes on Test Day is something that you will have to deal with again - so you should incorporate that into how you take any future practice CATs.

Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in well under 2 months, so you could probably complete it in the timeframe that you described. 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 just let me know.

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

sharmavanya332 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the amazing advice! I enrolled in EmpowerGmat Total Booster course for a month and gave my second GMAT today. Thanks to all the great strategies and tips that I got to learn, I scored a 710 today, improving both my Quant (49) and my Verbal (38) scores.

Thanks Again!
-Vanya

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vanya,

That's outstanding news! With a 690/Q47, you already had a strong score - but the improvement to 710/Q49 (with the increase in your Quant Scaled Score) should benefit your Overall Application nicely. Congrats again on all of your successes so far!

Another GMAT Assassin has been made!
Rich

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