Best strategy to push to a 700/710 from a 680 in two weeks?

Question

Hi guys,

I have been preparing for the GMAT exam since the end of December. My exam is on the 13th of March, which gives me 13 days to maximise whatever I have learnt so far to push up my current score. I am hovering around 670/680, with the range being Q44-48 in Quant and V35-40 in Verbal (Quite a variance, I know.)

I have used the following resources to study:
- GMATClub (I am using the Forum Quizzes every day to boost my score. Trying to perfect the 600-level questions in Quant and random 600/700 level questions in Verbal).
- OG
- EGmat (used it for a bit, but stopped using it as it was taking quite a while to get through the concepts).

I am feeling quite overwhelmed at this point as I also have to juggle my work schedule with the exam. Definitely also hit burnout a couple of weeks back and unable to understand what the best strategy would be for the next two weeks to make my study sessions more effective.

I will have 7 days of leave right before the exam so hoping I can leverage that too. I also plan on giving the Experts Global mocks every 2/3 days and two official diagnostic tests (Exam 5 and 6) in the next two weeks.

Can someone provide me with the best way to go about the prep for the last leg?

Thanks in advance!

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi VaishnaviK1707.

You can get to 710+ by getting around 4 more questions correct. To get 4 more questions correct, you can

- strengthen some weaker areas of Quant by reviewing concepts and strategies involved in those areas and then practicing until you get questions of those types correct consistently

- improve accuracy in Quant, as discussed in this post.

Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT

- improve execution in Verbal to get more Verbal questions correct, as discussed in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyyPP9XQBxI

Master one topic at a time using the streaks method, which is discussed in this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Identifying which GMAT areas/topics are hit or miss for you may help. Where is the  variance , for example, coming from? Perhaps your accuracy on certain CR questions affects your performance on Verbal. Maybe you make certain careless errors on Quant that makes you miss a few mid tier questions you actually know the mechanics of.

How to score high on the GMAT. Why solving approach is important.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi  VaishnaviK1707

Let me tell you that the improvement to 700+ is all about  identifying the core pain points  not only from a conceptual standpoint but also from a methodical standpoint. Let me elaborate.

You're probably doing decently well on the easy and medium questions but when it comes to hard questions the issues start surfacing. What it means is that the methods that you might be using are not efficient. There is a need to improve the methodology and focus on logic. Using the right methodologies and strategies to approach the questions should ideally help you to avoid the traps set by the test makers. If you do so, it is possible to improve your score to 700+.

For example, in verbal, the right methods for SC is meaning based approach (not splits), CR is framework driven pre-thinking and RC is involving yourself in understanding why the various parts of the passage have been written and not just what is written.

In short, if you work slowly on your approach and  focus on learning from each question  you should see a significant improvement in your score.

If you are struggling with some specific topics, you may share the same for better understanding and I can help you out with your worries.

Having said this, I would like to know what is the approach you are following along with a few other things (including your exact pain points) so that I can suggest you a more structured plan and help you with advanced strategies as you would not have much time to spare now. If you wish to discuss this over a call, you can schedule a free consultation call using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi VaishnaviK1707,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and from what you described in your initial post, it sounds as though you have been 'cramming' a bit too much over the last 2 months (and that helps to explain why you feel 'burned out' as well as the variations in your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on your CATs/mocks). You also appear to be planning to continue cramming over these next 2 weeks - and that is not a good idea.

A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically should not take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. If you're going to stick with your current Test Date, then you could reasonably take 2 CATs during that timeframe (and perhaps a third one depending on how you are feeling), but you should NOT plan to take any more than that.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
3) Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

---------------------

Hi,

Please see my responses:

1. I typically study 4 hours on a weekday and 8 hours on the weekends. I have reduced this considerably for the last few weeks, owing to the burnout and lack of being able to actually get any effective studying done at this point.
2. Dates of the tests:
- 12/29/2023 (Official) - 580 (V34, Q36)
- E-Sigma mocks during Jan - 610
- 2/7/2023 - (Official) - 650 (V35, Q45)
- 2/19/2023 - 640 (V40, Q37)
- 2/27/2023 - 680 (V36, Q47)

(I also repeated a couple of mocks which had inflated scores - not quoting them on here. Additionally, I gave a couple of Experts Global mocks which were at 640 and 670 respectively during Jan.)

3. This will be at a facility.
4. I plan on applying for MS this year (which dont require GMAT scores) and also keeping GMAT for if I want to instead pursue a MBA next year.

I will be giving another mock over the weekend. At this point the scores feel extremely unsteady and I might do better in pushing the exam.

Regards,
Vaishnavi

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi VaishnaviK1707,

To improve your quant skills, you may find it helpful to engage in topical quant practice.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.

VaishnaviK1707 · Answer

Hi VaishnaviK1707,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and from what you described in your initial post, it sounds as though you have been 'cramming' a bit too much over the last 2 months (and that helps to explain why you feel 'burned out' as well as the variations in your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on your CATs/mocks). You also appear to be planning to continue cramming over these next 2 weeks - and that is not a good idea.

A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically should not take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. If you're going to stick with your current Test Date, then you could reasonably take 2 CATs during that timeframe (and perhaps a third one depending on how you are feeling), but you should NOT plan to take any more than that.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
3) Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hi,

Please see my responses:

1. I typically study 4 hours on a weekday and 8 hours on the weekends. I have reduced this considerably for the last few weeks, owing to the burnout and lack of being able to actually get any effective studying done at this point.
2. Dates of the tests:
- 12/29/2023 (Official) - 580 (V34, Q36)
- E-Sigma mocks during Jan - 610 
- 2/7/2023 - (Official) - 650 (V35, Q45)
- 2/19/2023 - 640 (V40, Q37)
- 2/27/2023 - 680 (V36, Q47)

(I also repeated a couple of mocks which had inflated scores - not quoting them on here. Additionally, I gave a couple of Experts Global mocks which were at 640 and 670 respectively during Jan.)

3. This will be at a facility.
4. I plan on applying for MS this year (which dont require GMAT scores) and also keeping GMAT for if I want to instead pursue a MBA next year.

I will be giving another mock over the weekend. At this point the scores feel extremely unsteady and I might do better in pushing the exam.

Regards,
Vaishnavi

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi VaishnaviK1707,

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you might actually "need" your Score (re: next year) - is a smart choice. Since you are not facing any immediate deadlines in regards to taking the GMAT - and given your Score Goal and the variations in your CAT/mock Scores - you might want to consider pushing your Test Date. There's no harm in taking the GMAT as scheduled, but you could potentially save some time, money and frustration by rescheduling your Test and giving yourself some additional time to hone all of the skills needed to consistently score in the 700s. I've sent you a PM with some additional notes.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

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