Best use of 14h (over 2 days) to improve score?

Question

Hi,

I studied for about 50 hours (including 2 full practice tests) and got a 40 scaled score on the Quantitative section (I got 48V, so I'm luckily fine there). I am retaking the GMAT in a few days and have about 14 hours to allocate to further practice and prep, and 2 days over which to allocate that time.

What would be the best use of that time to boost my score as much as I can? Timing is my biggest issue (I reviewed GMATFree's review of all the basic mathematical knowledge in my first round of studying, and feel like I know that well. I also reviewed several topics in greater detail in the Manhattan Prep books, and learned basic strategies for DS, word problems, and backsolving, picking numbers from Manhattan and Kaplan. I am certainly weak on several subject areas when it comes to advanced knowledge and strategies, but I feel like I know 80% of the relevant concepts and just can't use my knowledge fast enough.)

I am planning to take 1 more practice test just to get back into the mode of taking the GMAT (my first take was a couple weeks ago). With my remaining time, I am deciding how to allocate my time between the following:
1 - Reviewing that practice test in detail
2 - Studying some topics in the Manhattan GMAT guides where I am particularly weak 
3 - Doing associated problems at the end of the chapters I study (timed)
4 - Doing associated problems in the OG (timed)

My current plan is to review the practice test in detail, then do some mix of 2-4 with my remaining time.

Would I be better off, say, skipping 1 and 2 and just doing 3 and 4 to get faster? Should I focus my OG practice on the topics where I am stronger? Weaker? Random mix?

Would appreciate any suggestions you have - I know this is far from the optimal situation, but trying to boost my score as much as I can.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi formerconsultant,

You posted this in another Forum on this site, so I've pasted over my response from there:

With a Q40, you're likely missing out on some big points in certain Quant categories or question types. While 'cramming' in the last few days before the GMAT is generally NOT a good idea, as long as you don't overdo any of the work (and don't 'burn out'), you could do some focused studying in certain areas and potentially improve your score. Based on this last CAT score, are there any specific areas that you're losing points in (your 'weak' areas)?

1) What is your score goal?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

formerconsultant · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks very much for the quick reply and the helpful advice. Both from my CAT performance and my own knowledge of areas of strength/weaknesses, there are indeed several areas where I could stand to brush up. Some of those I've studied in the Manhattan guides but haven't done practice problems for (a few specific topics in Algebra and Number Properties); others, I haven't even studied, though I know the basic mathematical concepts. My gut tells me that I'm better off focusing on internalize the former by doing problems so I can actually apply my knowledge on the the test, then moving to additional concepts if time permits.

And, to answer your questions: 
1) My score goal is a Q46 (giving myself a little room to slip in my Verbal performance and still achieve my target composite score of 730). 
2) I'm applying R2 2015-2016! It is a busy couple weeks (though I'm off work right now, so that helps).

Thanks again!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi formerconsultant,

Both Algebra and Number Properties are BIG categories in the Quant section, so putting in some extra study/reps in those areas should be beneficial. Number Properties show up often in DS questions, so thinking about those prompts from a Tactical standpoint (re: TESTing VALUES) instead of trying to deal with them conceptually should help you to pick up some easy points.

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

formerconsultant · Answer

Thanks, Rich -- that is helpful.

How would you rate the importance of those vs getting better at rates / work, ratios, venn diagram / overlapping sets, and consecutive integers?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi formerconsultant,

Without knowing all of the individual questions that you're getting wrong on each CAT, I won't know the exact 'order' of concepts that you should focus on. With a Q40 though, you're almost certainly missing serious points in Algebra and Number Properties. You'll likely see about 15 questions that are essentially just Algebra prompts (although you will do algebra 'steps' in lots of other questions) and about 10 Number Property questions (many in DS). Rate questions are essentially just 'wordy' algebra with the rate formula thrown in. You'll usually see 1 Work question, 5-6 ratio-based questions, 1-2 Overlapping Sets questions and 1-2 Sequence questions in the Quant section. So, side-by-side, the big categories really stand out. This is not to say that the other areas don't deserve some attention, but if you have limited time, you have to apportion it out accordingly.

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

formerconsultant · Answer

Thanks -- that gives me a good idea of how to prioritize my efforts. Just took the full 2nd GMATprep practice exam and saw my Quant score rise to 47 (73rd percentile), so I'm hopeful that my performance tomorrow will be strong as well!

formerconsultant · Answer

Rich, just wanted to thank you for your advice. I got a 740 on my actual retake yesterday (44Q), so I guess my studying paid off!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi formerconsultant,

That's fantastic news! A 740 is an outstanding score, so you shouldn't hold back when it comes to your applications (you should apply to any Business Schools that interest you).

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

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