Any tips on applied problems please! GMAT Score 380-600 help needed!

Dear Rich,
Many thanks for your reply. In answer to your questions...

1) How long have you studied?
I started GMAT studies 2 weeks ago. I'm doing 6 hours a day in 2 hour blocks. SO far I've only looked at Problem solving and data sufficiency.

2) What materials have you used?
GMAT official guide 2016, CGP GCSE Mathematics, GMAT prep software. I spend the first half of the day doing theory, and the second half doing questions. I try to do the questions without the books first, then use the books, then go through to the answers and look at why/what I got right and wrong. (Most of the time using the books doesn't help me as I cant work out what the questions is asking).

3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
IR (scaled score 4, percentile 37)
Quantitative (scaled score 16, percentile 4)
Verbal (scaled score 25, percentile 36)

4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
I was hoping for the start of September 2016

5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
Deadline for first round is sept ?24th 2016 (I was aiming for first round as if I am lucky enough to get in I need as much financial support as possible and have been advised submission in the first round is key for this).

I do have a first class degree (2009), straight A's at A level and GCSE (10 years ago) so feel I am capable of achieving academically. But I just cant get my head around GMAT.

Any help on structuring my revision, other materials/resources etc would be great. Also, what time scale do you think would be realistic? I am not working at the moment so really do have all the hours in the world.

Thanks again Rich,

Ella

Hi ella2016,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores; your overall timeframe is closer to 2 months though, which could be a problem. Since you've put in some study time already, I suggest that you take a new FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) this weekend. That score result will give us an idea of whether your current way of studying is leading to any improvement or not.

While it's understandable why you would want to apply for the 1st Round, if you don't have the necessary GMAT score to get accepted, then that deadline really doesn't matter. As such, you might have to consider applying for the 2nd Round.

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

Hi Rich,

A few days late I know but wanted to spend some extra time going over the maths...I have only redone the maths part of the GMAT test as I haven't done any work on the other parts of the test yet and really don't expect them to have changed.

Score today on maths on (an improvement on score 2 weeks ago but still a long way to go).
Scaled Score Percentile
Quantitative 27 18
Ran out of time, completed 31 or 37 questions and got 13/31 correct.

18/19 July 2016
Scaled Score Percentile
IR 4 37
Quantitative 16 4
Verbal 25 36
Total 380 10


So round one deadline is 21st Sept, round 2 Jan.

I think I'll book the GMAT for 9th Sept (giving me time to look at essays after if a miracl happens and I score well enough to apply). But realistically I think the Jan deadline is more likely.

However, I would like to give Sept GMAT my best shot. I am not working over the summer so have time on my hands.

What do you think? Also, would you recommend improving maths score before moving on to Verbal or should I make a start on verbal as to date I have done none?

The problem I have with the maths is I cant understand what the questions are asking. When I go through the theory I can work out the area/volume/speed/probability etc fine, but when its in a wordy problem I really struggle.

Rich, any input or suggestions would be so very welcome.

Many Thanks
Ella

Hi ella2016,

You'll likely find it more beneficial to do a mix of Quant and Verbal studying each week (instead of an 'all of one, then all of the other' study plan).

1) How did you perform on this CAT overall (including your Overall Score and Verbal Scaled Score)?

Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level, so you'll likely end up needing to invest in some non-book resources. While it's too early to assess how much this might impact your studies, if your goal is to maximize your studies and take your best shot at the GMAT in September, then you might want to explore some of those other options now.

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

Hi ella2016,

A 220+ point increase in 6 weeks is unlikely. You must realize that the GMAT is such a challenging exam because there are relatively few questions asked in a given exam, yet those questions come from a huge topic pool. So not only is it a significant challenge to learn all the GMAT quant topics within 6 weeks, but it is also even more of a challenge to be able to apply all that you have learned on a timed exam.

With that said, I recommend you still attack your GMAT with as much ferocity as possible so that you will be able to achieve a 600+ GMAT score in time for round 2 deadlines in January. So while I am not telling you to not take your GMAT in September, I do think that you should mentally prepare yourself to have to study for longer than 6 weeks (more likely another 2 to 4 months) to achieve your GMAT score goal.

In regard to when to begin your verbal prep, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to to develop a solid math foundation prior to beginning verbal. In regard to GMAT quant, I would ask: do you understand basic fraction operations - addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division? Are you able to manipulate algebraic equations? Can you solve a basic quadratic equation? Do you understand what it means to get one variable “in terms of another”? Are you comfortable with data sufficiency (DS) questions? Are you able to differentiate between a yes/no DS question and a value DS question? If the answer is no, then take some more time to develop your quant foundations prior to studying the verbal.

I also agree that you may consider using a more robust study resource than a GMAT prep book; try an online self-study course. If you are unsure of what is available you can check out the course reviews on GMAT Club, which has thousands of verified reviews of different GMAT prep resources.
Finally, if you are still considering taking your exam in September, take another official practice test in in about 3 weeks. If your score is still well below a 600, you may consider pushing back your test date to give yourself more time to prep.

I am always available to answer any further questions. Good luck!

Dear Jeff,
Thank you for your words of wisdom. Apologies for the delayed reply I am still leanrning my way around this forum.
I am planning on taking another full prep test this week to see if I'm improving and will go from there.
I have just realised that I have the online access I have after purchasing the OG. But in the online account I cant see the IR or AWA questions that the paper OG states are there...any pointers on where to find them?
Many Thanks
Ella

Dear Rich,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
I havent recently done the full test, that will be done this week to re-evaluate where I am. I have the online question bank I have access to from purchasing the OG. Is this sufficient or do you an actual online course would be better? Also, I cant find the IR or AWA questions in the OG online section....amy pointers on where they are?
Many Thanks
Ella

Hi ella2016,

When you take this next CAT, you should make sure to take a NEW CAT in as realistic a fashion as possible (so take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc.).

Given everything that you've described, you would likely benefit a great deal by investing in a GMAT Course of some type. At this point, it's too early to be spending time practicing for the Essay and/or IR, so I would suggest that you stick with the Quant and Verbal work that you're doing right now.

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

Hi,

When it comes to PS, PS questions require general math skills. If your basic math skills are weak, it might be difficult for you to tackle PS questions. Hence, we highly would like to recommend for you to build basic math skills. You can get help from the following sources:

- study 30 pages of Math Review of Official Guide
- study GMAT Prep Free Software on www.MBA.com.
- watch Free Video Lesson from our website for basic math, www.mathrevolution.com.
- study Math Review for basic math foundation in our paid course.

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Happy Studying!

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Math Revolution

Hello,

So I've just done a full test again and scored 530! I know this isn't great but I'm happy. I scored 380 7 weeks ago and have worked for 4 hours a day since. I have the GMAT booked for 14th Sept, 12 days.....

I've got the OG and using Magoosh free blogs/videos. I'm happy to pay a bit if need be...

Score Percentile Correct
AWA N/A N/A N/A 1 / 1
IR 3 (of 8) 24% 25% 12 / 12

Quant 32 (of 60) 30% 57% 37 / 37

Verbal 32 (of 60) 64% 73% 41 / 41

Total 530 40 59% 91 / 91

Any tips on how to get to the 600 mark in 10 days? completely unrealistic? I know I'm aiming for 600 but what does the percentile represent?

Thank you in advance for any tips...

Hi ella2016,

You've made some fantastic improvements so far. The next 70+ points that you're looking for will require some 'nitpicking' of your performance on this CAT, with the goal of trying to define WHY you got questions wrong.

After reviewing this Test, how many questions did you get wrong....
1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal that you could not remember how to do?
3) Because the question was too hard?
4) Because you were low on time and had to guess?

There were likely a number of 'gettable' questions that you missed because you made little mistakes - those missed points should be the easiest to pick up. You'll have to adjust how you physically work through questions though (take more notes, use Tactics, etc.); those sorts of adjustments can take time to properly integrate though (likely more than 10 days).

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

Hello,
Please can I have some help in regard to planning my retake?

I took my test on 18th Oct and it didn’t go as well as planned. I really need 650 and was hoping for at least 550. I scored 530.

Verbal 33 / 69%
Quant 30 / 20%
Total 530 / 36%
AWA 5.5 / 81%
IR 3 / 27%


I am planning to retake the GMAT mid December (I haven’t booked it yet but the admission deadline is 4th Jan and I want it done by Christmas. I have 4-6 hours a day 5 days a week to dedicate to GMAT-more if needed).

I started working 4 hours a day on the GMAT at the start of July. In September I increased to 7 hours a day.

I scored 530 (veritas prep) six weeks ago before starting the magoosh plan and have spent the last 6 weeks doing 7 hours a day and according to my score I haven’t improved. The 6 weeks were spent doing tha magoosh lessons and magoosh questions. Not many questions from the official guide. I did a practice 2 weeks ago and scored 600 (manhattan prep). And did a final practice a week ago and scored 460 (magoosh).

I did run out of time for the last 5 questions on both the Verbal and maths and only had 30 secs for each of those last questions.
I feel I was lucky with the RC as I understood the passages-this doesn’t always happen. I am a native English speaker.

Any help at what to do with the next few weeks to dramatically improve my score would be great.

I would love some pointers on where to go next!

Thank you in advance,
Ella

Hi Ella2016!

I really admire your determination and hard work to get your score! Really). I was in the same boat as you are now so i will try to help you. I wanted to score 650-660 score. I understood that i don't have enought abilities to scoro 700+ but i knew that i can reach 650 mark. My first GMAT score was 590 (V32 Q 39). I took 3 more attemps but couldn't get over 600 even. After that i made changes in my preparation and took GMAT in September. My score was 640 (Q44 V33).I think i can give pieces of advice.

Well first of all you don't have to spend 7(!!) hours per day styding GMAT. It makes no sense) But it is nice that you have much time to prepare. So i think you should focus on Quant section since other section are relatively good).

My advice is that you should focus on you weak points (for example, i had problems with Word problems and i focused on this). You must try to solve a problem and then analyse your outcome -what went wrong, what was good and so on. Try to spend as much time as possible on Quant section. I think 2 hours per day is more than enough.

As for Quant resources i recommend to use either OG questions or GMAT club questions. These are tougher but they can help to solve difficult questions on real GMAT (though i didn't practice with them too much). In addition you can read GMAT Club Math book made by Bunuel. This book has therory and examples. I focused on OG questions and also purchased E-gmat Quant course. This course covers all topics that you need. In addition, i solved questions in this forum and bookmarked best explanations, then i reviewed this and took away best ways to solve questions. After some time i noticed that number of correct questions goes up (as does my percenatage of correct answers). I started to solve tough questions better and avoid mistakes that i did in the past. So it is just practice and practice. Remember math doesn't change so you have to memorise rules and concepts and use them. Your CAT scores fluctuate much from one resourse to another. I think this means that your knowledge is not stable.

As for time management you should improve this problem. Looks like you spend too much time on certain questions. If you got stuck with a question it is better to guess and move on. Try to eliminate as much wrong answers as possible and make educated guess among others left. When you are in a rush you can really spoil your score if you answer last 5 questions wrong.

I hope that my pieces of advice will help you. Anyway if you need any help do not hesitate to contact me with your questions and i will try to help you! Good luck! I will cheer up for you)

Hi ella2016,

Your recent GMAT score is remarkably similar to the practice score that you reported in early September. This implies that however you studied over those 6 weeks, you treated the Official GMAT in the same general way as you did in September. With your current timeline, you now have another 6 weeks or so to continue studying - and you can certainly accomplish a lot in that time - but you have to be careful about how you proceed. If you continue to study in the same ways as before, then you will likely score at this same level again. To pick up the missing points that you're after, you're going to have to make some fundamental changes to how you handle the Quant and Verbal sections.

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

Dear Rich,
Thank you for your post. Any tips on how/what to do diffrerently. I literally spent 6 weeks doing GMAT all day/every day. I ate well, slept, exercised etc and followed the GMAT video lessons. Although didn't have time for a huge amount of questions. I have 6 full weeks free to study GMAT again but want to make sure my efforts are directed in the right direction. Any tips would be great.
Thanks
Ella