A way to increase from Q35-40 to Q 47

Question

I have been working on with few of my friends on raising their quant score from around 35-40 to 47+.They are helping me out in verbal and i am helping them in quant. We have been following a strategy that although is demanding but very effective. This would moreso help those who have already given the actual gmat once and have scored around 35-40.
First of all, a score of 35-40 means that one has some grip over the fundamentals but has gaps in the understanding of various concepts. The tasks involves giving treatment to the weaknesses topic wise and turning them into strong holds.

So the first and foremost step is to IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESS .

Generally one is aware of his or her weakness in quant. However, an authentic way is to run the assessment report of the MGMAT CATs and thereafter identify those weaknesses topic wise. Priorities them topic wise and sub-topic wise. For example If geometry is the one with the least % accuracy then it will figure at the top of the priority list and if arithmetic is the one with the maximum % accuracy, then it will figure at the bottom of the priority list. Similarly, for each topic, arrange the subtopic priority wise, for eg in Geometry, if Circles is the worst, it will figure at the top of Geometry list and if the triangles is the best, it will be at the bottom of the geometry list.

For those who have not given a MGMAT test or who are not aware of their accuracy in different topics of quant, They should simply try solving around 20 questions of each topic, i.e Geometry, algebra........ Once done, they can decide upon the priority mentioned above depending upon the accuracy, time taken and the comfort factor with the topic.

The second step is to GIVE SPECIFIC TREATMENT TO THE TOPICS DEPENDING UPON THE PRIORITY.

Now start with the weakest section of a particular topic. Suppose geometry is the topic and circles is the weakest section. Start with Circles theory from MGMAT Geometry book. When you're reading the concepts, try to understand the reasoning behind. Don't hurry up on concepts. Think where all these concepts can be applied. Be very slow and focussed when you're doing the concepts.

We have this misconception that quant checks our knowledge of Maths but trust the concepts tested are very very basics. Infact the questions in the real test are not hard but tricky. One needs to apply logic equally in solving the problems.

Coming back to the approach, so once you're done with the concept of that particular section, kindly go through the question given in the end including the reference questions of OG 12 and og Quant supplement. Once you're doing these questions, just don't worry about time rather do them untimed, however, you must do them diligently, understanding the trick being tested by the testmakers. Once we understand that how a particular concept is tested by the testmakers, we can solve most of the questions in a minute.

subsequently move to the next section of Geometry, REPEAT, REPEAT AND REPEAT the same drill for all the sections of the Geometry including the advanced section. Kindly make an error log wherein you will copy- paste all the topic wise questions , which you did wrong or which you have guessed. VVVVIMP. You've to keep a day for these questions in a week exclusively. Trust, The maximum amount of learning you will get from the error log because what you already know , you will generally get that correctly , however, something in which you're weak , you will get most of the problems wrong. Actually, it's the weakest section that constitutes the most portion of the error log. The bottom line is to MAINTAIN AN ERROR LOG AND VISIT IT EVERY WEEK.

Now that you're done with the entire book on Geometry along with the reference questions of OGs, You're almost 60-70% prepared to take on the questions. Now is the time when you've to start doing timed questions. There is a plethora of material available over web. However the best three materials i found to be
1) GMATCLUB Quizzes. One can start with 500 level questions initially and move to middle level and subsequently highest level.
2) Jeff sackmann's challenge sets. Soembody who is already scoring around 40 in quant won't require the basic one. The eight challenge sets are divided topic wise and they have mostly 600-700 level questions.So after the end of each topic, for eg geometry, one can make sets of 20-30 questions and do them timed using a timer.
3) For GMAT, the best resource is gmatclub, check out these links again the questions are level and category wise, exactly what we need.
ds-question-directory-by-topic-difficulty-128728.html
gmat-ps-question-directory-by-topic-difficulty-127957.html

One can choose any of these resources and PRACTICE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS OF EACH TOPIC

one needs to practice more questions on sub topics and topics that have the worst average % and a few questions on topics and subtopics that have good average %. The average % is same what we found initially with the help of MGMAT CATs assessment report.

you need to devote 2 min/questions during this practice. You will require almost double the time to review them. . Remember You've to review the problem irrespective of whether you got it right or wrong. many a times, you will find that an alternate and easier approach exist that you were not aware of.
The questions that you guess or do incorrectly during practice should automatically go the error log under the specific head...

WASH, RINSE AND REPEAT for all topics( i mean five books of mgmat), I feel this entire work should take around two weeks for a single book, devoting around 4 hrs a day on weekday and 6 on weekend. Again, pl don't rush through this stage.

Now, to do the enitre 5 book will take you around 2 months to cover, Don't skip a book even if you've done it earlier. You may do it in one week but you must do all 5 books this way. After having done with the five books and a number of questions of each topic ( I know doing so is very demanding but i guarantee that you do what i wrote above, and you will score 47/48 + easily), Take a practice test to gauge your performance. Also if you did something differently that worked out , please do mention that here for the benefit of the GMAT community

If one want to score 49/49+ go here the-final-climb-quest-for-q-50-from-q47-129441.html

A general tip in the end: Keep yourself motivated through out this journey. In a week study concepts/practice problems for 5 days only, keep the sixth day for the error log and most importantly, keep the seventh day totally free. Spend time with your family , go for outings/picnic, detoxify yourself from the hangover of GMAT. For one day you should be totally detached from GMAT and totally attached to what you like. VVIMP.
Good luck and Bon Voyage!!!
Rajeev

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

Other threads on the same topic: ALL YOU NEED FOR QUANT: new-to-the-math-forum-please-read-this-first-140445.html HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR QUANT SCORE Improving from 30-35 to 40-44 Improving from 44 to 50 Other discussions dedicated to this issue: quant-strategy-to-go-from-q47-to-q50-q51-137078.html i-m-getting-a-consistent-q-48-49-i-m-an-engg-student-and-134999.html 3-weeks-to-increase-quant-score-134473.html improving-q-from-a-50-to-a-145212.html the-final-climb-quest-for-q-50-from-q47-129441.html help-need-for-quant-150311.html hitting-the-wall-please-share-your-prep-experience-150112.html how-to-improve-quant-score-137975.html need-pointers-to-move-q42-43-q50-148568.html a-way-to-increase-from-q35-40-to-q-138750.html do-i-need-to-change-the-way-i-study-110611.html several-people-has-asked-me-if-it-is-possible-to-improve-40820.html gmat-in-less-than-4-weeks-desperately-need-quant-advice-127092.html stuck-at-47-test-in-a-month-137521.html improve-gmat-score-from-620-to-700-need-urgent-help-144530.html calling-quant-experts-need-a-strategy-to-improve-146045.html final-weeks-calculation-silly-errors-and-speed-129408.html knocked-down-by-the-gmat-for-the-second-time-150350.html several-people-has-asked-me-if-it-is-possible-to-improve-40820.html how-to-improve-your-quant-from-q44-to-q50-141670.html help-gmat-in-3-days-134350.html HOW TO SPEED UP Want to speed up? Check this: Timing Strategies on the GMAT Other discussions dedicated to this issue: for-non-quant-beasts-128188.html how-to-speed-up-answering-math-questions-19365.html having-trouble-finishing-quant-section-any-ideas-110613.html ds-and-timing-help-108310.html final-weeks-calculation-silly-errors-and-speed-129408.html Hope this helps.

rajathpanta · Answer

Awsome mate. This is one post I was hunting for. I was groping in the dark. Thanks a lot!

rajeevrks27 · Answer

Thank you and Good luck !
Do post if you have any specific doubt in following the schedule mentioned above.

Eduardowbeck · Answer

Really good advices. Kudos!

nrathore326 · Answer

awesome bro ...i was just wandering in the dark ...thanx for shedding some light.

ashikaverma13 · Answer

Hey! Your post seems very helpful and as I am going to take a retake in a couple of months I want to improve my quants score from Q38 to Q47+ and therefore I think I qualify in the category targeted in this post.

As per your description, I should start with MGMAT quants book and it seems to be the most sought after quants concept book out there. Although the price seems really high and I am someone with very limited budget.

Could you help me connect with a source from where I can get a hand on used MGMAT books or someone who's already used them and want to sell them off at a reasonable price? That would be really helpful.

Thanks!

Shiv2016 · Answer

Very useful post.

I am in the same zone of Q37 for some time now and really needed some guidance to score Q>45. How is e-gmat quant? Does it cover important topics as I only find people talking about Manhattan books but not any other material. 
Also Should one solve OG first and then move to GMAT Club or doing both simultaneously would be a better idea?

Shiv2016 · Answer

It would be great if someone could answer this query as I just checked the user rajeevrks has not come online after Jan 2016.

adkikani · Answer

Shiv2016

I personally found Egmat quant to be much tougher.
Again that s perception. You may well like to get in to waters
by taking one of its free ability quizzes. 
If you need methodical approach. TTP is one of the best ones. 
I think Magoosh and TTP are two of most underestimated courses 
on the forum in spite of their excellent response and content.

Hope this helps!

loserunderachiever · Answer

I seriously found Magoosh Quant pretty good, as it covers most of the things. For a student like me , who's struggling with his Quant.

saulojakhy · Answer

Awesome It would be great

bumpbot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

A way to increase from Q35-40 to Q 47

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

GMAT Problem Solving (PS) Questions

A way to increase from Q35-40 to Q 47

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia