760 on my first test, need help planning a strategy

Question

Hey guys,

I started studying for the GMAT this week--basically I just bought the Kaplan book and went through all the sections (except for the full length tests). In my mind, their strategies were not very helpful, but going through it gave me a good idea of what the structure of the test is like. 

I took the first powerprep test today and scored a 760 (44 verbal, 49 quant), despite making  numerous  silly/stupid mistakes. I also finished both sections in about half the alotted time (about 30 minutes remaining for each), so I'm guessing slowing down would really help bring my score up alot. 

I really would like to score an 800 on the exam, so I'm wondering where I can get some better studying resources to work with.

I'm also curious if there's a good list of sentence correction idioms/rules, because those were the only questions that I answered flat-out incorrectly, even when reviewing my mistakes.

Thanks for your help.

rhyme · Answer

You know as well as I do that your 760 is more than sufficient for any top school. Your post reeks of bragging - "760 on my first exam, finished with 30 minutes extra on each section!" This is only exacerbated by the fact that you felt it important to include that fact in your subject/title/headline. Titles are like opening statements, they frame your primary argument/point. If your primary point was to ask for help, I think you would have said "760 - looking to improve, advice?".... Instead you focused on how that was your first score.

In other words, your post strikes me as less about asking for help and more about tooting your own horn...

In any case, just go take the test. A 760 is 99% percentile. If you seriously think that a 780 or 790 will make any kind of tangible difference you aren't thinking "big picture".

lifersfc · Answer

dude...i just want to get an 800 on the test. it's an honest question.

i'm seriously wondering if there are any more difficult studying resources, especially for sentence corrections...

anyway, i'm guessing the score powerprep gave me is probably inflated and not accurate. other people post honest assessments of their performance and people don't jump down their throats. geez...

lifersfc · Answer

on a related note, do the powerprep tests ramp up in difficulty like the real test, or does everyone get the same questions?

i.e. is it worthwhile to repeat the tests in order to get the most difficult questions?

pparija · Answer

i think u rather take a GMATPREP test...

it will be a better indication of your score.!!

I would love to know if anyone has scored an 800 on the real gmat..
specially since pearson took over....

lifersfc · Answer

actually it was a GMATPrep test, for some reason I thought that was the same as PowerPrep.

ps_dahiya · Answer

Excellent!!!!

Why don't you schedule the test date and appear ASAP. There is no difference between a 760 and 800 as far as admission to top school is concerned. If you have to show an 800 to your girlfriend then it's a different story.

lifersfc · Answer

i'm seriously still looking for advice...i'm planning on going through kaplan 800, and i've also heard the OG has some tough questions....worthwhile?

jamesrwrightiii · Answer

Seriously dude I wouldn't even bother taking the test again
A 760 is a horrible score and you must be stupid
I would just continue cleaning toilets as that is all you are qualified to do

lifersfc · Answer

you guys are straight up assholes...thanks for the help.

if you think i'm a troll, you're wrong.

jamesrwrightiii · Answer

What a dumbass. You couldn't even get a 1600 on the SAT.

You are welcome.

I don't think that you are a troll, just an idiot.

lifersfc · Answer

whatever...you're obviously bitter about something. my guess is that you were the kid in college that no one really liked because all you did was study and read about politics all the time. oh, and you also probably drive a **** car even though you're almost 30. 


honestly, am i going to have to start a new username and thread just to get some honest answers about kaplan 800 and the OG? this is ridiculous.

u2lover · Answer

may be that's enough... you are damaging the club's reputation... we are all adults here... come on now... be nice to each other.

lifersfc... I don't know anyone who scored 800 on the test... but if you are a perfectionist (which is fine) 790 is the highest perfect score I have heard people achieve.

And I don't understand the part where you are saying that you made silly mistakes and then you said you need more difficult questions

The logical conclusion to me is to try to minimize silly mistakes.

ps_dahiya · Answer

I suggest no more posting on this subject please. We all are grown up and mature enough. All of us know when to stop.

Dear lifersfc,

I don't think anybody here in this forum got a 760 on his first GMATPrep and that too without any preperation. You must be a god gifted brain and I respect this. Almost everybody here is tryng to learn from each other and giving their level best to achieve a 700+. Many people got 750+ and many did not. So IMO, you will not find many people here who can give a good advice to an 800 seeker.

Anyway best of luck and do let us know your results.

necromonger · Answer

Lifer,
Given your first time performance, you clearly don't need to practice harder questions. You probably just need to fine tune some your tactics and you should be on your way to 800. Most of us can't advice you, and that's the truth.

sm176811 · Answer

Just smoke some weed and take the test! < Just Kidding - pardon my humor! > Donâ€™t waste time preparing!!

Frankly, there is no difference between a 760 and a 800 as far as schools are concerned, as someone else has mentioned earlier! Why do u want to waste your time trying to get a higher score. The opportunity cost will not be worth it! <It' summer dude, I rather be climbing a mountain or enjoying myself outside than study for GMAT!> Rather you can use the time to work on other aspect of the application! Even a 800 score doesnâ€™t guarantee you an admission!

As for the GMAT-Prep, it is quite accurate. I have taken the tests couple of time and have seen the questions repeat. So I do not think it is adaptive! However, the scores are very close to what you can expect.

Worst case I would recommend you to do both the tests in GMAT-Prep, so as to get used to the timing and familiarize yourself with the test format; and be careful, during the test, not to make any silly mistake! Then just take the REAL GMAT!

Just my $0.02! Hope this is useful!

P.S.: I concur with some of the comments above that the message was worded in a manner that sounds more boastful than a request for advice! Be mindful in your essay! Admissions Committee usually doesnâ€™t like people who are arrogant! B-School applicants are supposed to be future leaders in Corporations and in Governments! Who would want to be led by an arrogant leader?

Praetorian · Answer

Hello lifersfc
 
First of all, your use of language was unwarranted. 

I do respect your goal, but what surprises me and most of us is the fact that you are asking for help when you seem to be doing extremely well. 
You could have put your question differently. 

To answer your question, you might want to get a copy of Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction. Its available at amazon.com. It has received a lot of good reviews here and I am sure it will help you.

You can eliminate unnecessary mistakes by keeping track of them. After every test, classify your errors and pay special attention to those that were avoidable. 

This thread is locked. 

regards
Praetorian

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760 on my first test, need help planning a strategy

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