730 practice test- what to study

Question

Hi all,

This is my first post as I just recently decided to study for the GMAT over a vacation period.

I've read a couple of posts here so, following their advice, I decided to take a practice test (GMATPrep) to get a sense of where I'm at without studying and diagnose my strengths/weaknesses.

I ended up getting a 730, with a 44 in quant and 47 in verbal. Obviously I would like to do a lot better in quant so I intend to study that over the next few weeks and maybe take the real test at the end of August. Do you think studying for months and months longer than that would help me substantially more?

Also, do you think I should devote substantial time to studying verbal?

Any insight at all would be really helpful.

Thanks!

phlaym39 · Answer

Wow, good job.

Assuming you want to get into a top programme, yes, you might want to up your quant score to at least the upper 40s. In a few weeks, do another test. If your total score is still up there at 730+, I suggest just writing the test and focusing your effort on the rest of the application.

All the best.

jtyee · Answer

47 in verbal with no studying... How in the world...?!

evansgherzi · Answer

Hi!

If you have the time the extra time, I would say don’t rush and cram over the next few weeks and take it in September. You already got such an amazing score on the practice test, just think how well you would do if you had about 5 weeks or 6 weeks to prepare. You’ll see more improvement if you spread out your studies instead of compressing them into a couple weeks. In addition, peoples scores tend to range +/- 30 points from their practice tests. So while you most likely would do great just by the looks of your first practice test, it would be best for you to take a couple to get an overall average (these tests can range up and down in score as well).

In reference to the verbal,I would prepare for it. Yet again if you did this well the first time, why not do even better next? It would be ashamed to not study the verbal and then have a few high point valued verbal questions have a significant impact on your score. Sometimes 1 question can hold the same weight as a couple, so its best to just keep yourself prepared overall.
Good luck, by the looks of it, you are on the path to an exceptional score!

-Evan

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