Advise on GMAT Preparation ( Disappointing Result of 2nd mock test)

Question

Hi Everyone,
So after a preparation of 4.5 long months (250+hours), i took a GMAT (CAT) test that was available on MBA.com. And i got a disappointing score of only 490. Q35, V22

Analysis:
QUANT:
I got 16 incorrect out of 31 in quant section. 
Wrong Quest: 1,3,6,12,13,14,16,17,18,20,25,28,29,30,31

Verbal:
I got 16 incorrect
Wrong Quest:1,3,4,8,11,17,18,19,21,25,27,29,31,32,33

IR: Didnt touch the IR part, just clicked on next next, and i got only 1 score. (Because i was told that IR wont affect other sections)

My experiences:
-I am good in Verbal even though i failed to demonstrate that during the test.
-I understand my Maths is quite weak and i get confused with some easy questions that are asked in a word problem.
-I admit that i am not very strong in quant but i do am familiar with many concepts that are being tested in GMAT. And i have finished OG and have also taken classes offered by Jamboree.

-I have booked my GMAT on 11th March and i my target score is above 600. Currently i am reading 3-4 RC passages everyday and practicing that. As for quants I am doing questions of OG on daily basis and on top of that revising some questions that i did in my class.

Any advises that someone can give me here pls?
I know that i got plenty of questions wrong in my test, but still i was expecting the score to be above 500, so I am not really sure why my score is extremely low ?

CURRENT STRATEGY:
Quant: Completing each and every question of OG and knowing it by heart. Revising everday.
Verbal: Reading comprehension 3-4 passages on daily basis. Revision of SC and from time to time practicing CR.

Can anyone help me with some advise ?
As i just have one month left for preparation and i am 100 points away from my desired score. Although i am good in Verbal but still failed to achieve that.
Appreciate your answers.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi hsn81960,

To start, raising a 490 to the point that you could consistently score 600+ will likely require at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. However, with a March 11th Test Date, you have less than 4 weeks of study time remaining. As such, you might need to consider pushing back your Test Date.

Before we discuss this CAT in more detail, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) Have you taken any other CATs/mocks? How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

AjiteshArun · Answer

I'd take at least one more official practice test if I were you. Can you do that within a week or so? It may be that this score is "off", and it would be a good idea to confirm whether that is indeed the case.

hsn81960 · Answer

Hi AjiteshArun,
Surely I will take another CAT this weekend. I am just not sure which one to take.
Because last weekend i took Manhattan CAT and got 590. Personally i feel that the scores were a bit inflated as compared to MBA.com CAT test.
Any ideas?

AjiteshArun · Answer

I'm not sure why you feel that your 590 is not a good estimate, but I wouldn't waste any time trying to compare tests across providers. Just take another GMATPrep (official, MBA.com) test.

hsn81960 · Answer

Will definitely do this weekend. the only issue is that i have one test remaining and i was intending to keep it for my last weekend of studies before the exam

hsn81960 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the reply.
I am trying to study roughly 3-4 hours a day and over 7 hours on weekends. and from 1st of March I will increase my studying hours to 10 hours per day. so thats another 100 hours in 10 days.
Every weekend I am giving a CAT exam to train myself.

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
I have mainly just relied on OG and 1 book that comprise each and every part of Quant and Verbal provided by Jamboree institute. Its like a summary of the whole GMAT. For verbal i have also watched videos provided by the institute where we solve questions from OG.
2) Have you taken any other CATs/mocks? How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
I have taken 3 CAT exams so far.
-1st CAT was from MBA.com and i got 430. but i was not prepared well and also exhausted. (That was on 8th January. Q22, V25)
Right after 1st CAT i focused entirely to improve my Verbal as i am weak in Maths and after one month i took my 2nd CAT.
-2nd CAT was also from MBA.com, the same test i did before and i got 490 with intensive studies and preparation. I got V22 and Q35 which is very strange because i only prepared more for Verbal and the score decreased.
-3rd CAT was from Manhattan ( Last week). Surprising enough i got 590 in the test but it felt like the scores were a bit inflated in Manhattan. so im not sure. Q38 and V33

Goals:
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
I would like to apply this year. for Fall semester or for semesters starting in January next year.
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
-Queen's (Canada)
-Rotterdam Business School (Netherlands)
-York Schuilch (Canada)

Sometimes i feel like I am studying a lot and there are some improvements, but I just fail to demonstrate my capabilities on the actual test. It will be very hard to change the date of my exam due to my work. 11th of March is the best shot i got as i already took 10 days off in March just to prepare myself.

Any thoughts?
Thanks
Hassan

AjiteshArun · Answer

How many have you already taken? You have a total of 6, if you are open to buying  a few more tests .

hsn81960 · Answer

i havent bought them. so i only get 2 free exams

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hassan,

To start, you have to be careful about confusing "quantity" of study with "quality" of study. I've never asked anyone to study 10 hours a day - and while it's great that you might have the available time to study that much, you would run the risk of 'burning out' before Test Day (and that is something that we want to avoid). If you are going to try to study that much, then I suggest that you take one hour "off" for every two hours of study. For example, you could study for 2 hours, then stop for an hour, then study for another 2 hours, etc. You should pay careful attention about how you're feeling during that time though - and stop if you're feeling tired or if you don't appear to be retaining what you've learned.

In addition, retaking a CAT that you've already taken will almost certainly lead to seeing repeat questions. Unfortunately, even a few of those repeat questions will throw off the Scoring Algorithm as well as the 'realism' of the experience and your pacing, stress and energy levels will all be 'better' than they normally would be. From what you describe, your 2nd CAT was right around February 8th - and was a retake of your 1st CAT (from January). Since that 2nd CAT was a 'retake', I would have to assume that the 490 was an inflated result - implying that your general ability level was still in the mid-400s. The jump to 590 on your 3rd CAT (in such a short timeframe) seems like it may be an unrealistic result.

At this point, it's not clear what your current ability level actually is, so I'd suggest that you study as you choose for the next week, then take a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT - and make sure to take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

hsn81960 · Answer

Will do, thank you Rich.
Just quick question. I noticed that there is a free CAT exam available at GMATclub. Would you recommend me to take that ?
Is the score predictor close to the actual GMAT ?

Hassan

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi hsn81960, I actually responded to your question here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/advise-on-gm ... 88647.html Feel free to reach out with further questions. Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hassan,

When I referred to a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT, I was referring to any of the 6 Official GMAC CATs or any of the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT or Veritas. Again, since we want as realistic a result as possible, you should make sure to take that CAT in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.).

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

hsn81960 · Answer

Thank you so much Rich, Really appreciate your support here.
Will keep you posted.

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - Save up to 44%! Plus get a $99 bonus from GMAT Club when you buy a course. Sale ends Sept 7.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Advise on GMAT Preparation ( Disappointing Result of 2nd mock test)

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

My Rewards