Bitten Twice

Question

hi all,

sat for my gmat again:
1. Oct 08 - Q42 V37 640
2. Jul 09 - Q47 V31 640

i think i had prepared quite thoroughly for each test but somehow my test performances have been far too consistent (in the negative sense).

looking at my highly volatile Q and V scores, can anyone advise on how can i achieve 700+? thanks.

background (for 2nd attempt): 
GMATPREP 1 - Q49 V44 750
GMATPREP 2 - Q49 V35 700
GMATPREP 1(R)- Q49 V39 720
GMATPREP 2(R)- Q50 V40 750

sher676 · Answer

Tough luck man. Where are thinking of applying?

boeinz · Answer

MIT is my top choice. So i really need to 'up' my score by alot.

on hindsight, i was rushing a bit on my V. 3rd RC is especially long so i thought i was on the right track. how wrong i am!

careless on Q too.

am still comtemplating when i should go for gmat retake and i'll need some good advice on how much more i've to brush up.

boeinz · Answer

Booked the retest (5th time in total!!) on 30 Sep 09.

1st 2 tests were taken in 2004 and 2005. Therefore there is a slight gap.

OG 12 stuff:- 
  Particularly vulnerable in RC (ongoing), CR (bold-face type) and SC (according to Manhattan SC guide, Odds and Evens)
  Completed. Vulnerable in DS (number properties and sequences)

Intend to cover during the remaining period:-
1. GMAT paper-based tests (Verbal only)
2. GMATPREP

This is probably my last chance at getting a 700+ score. Any advice is welcome!! Thanks in advance.

bigoyal · Answer

plz don't feel offended, do you leave lot of things on chance ? I mean guessing lot of questions and at times the answers coming out to be correct ?

boeinz · Answer

the questions on GMAT are alot more tricky i guess and during V (in the last GMAT attempt) on several SC questions, i'm left with 2 options that i have to guess...

i'm generally weak in RC (about 70-80% correct in OG 12)...

somehow i feel that the questions on GMATPREP are alot easier... very clear cut as to which option is the correct answer...

bb · Answer

Hi - take a look at this plan I have prepared specifically for those at 650 level seeking get past the 700. gmat-study-plan-go-from-650-to-80235.html

bigoyal · Answer

I agree that it often we have to guess between 2 options, that why its called intelligent guess

Anyway, generally variations in score can be due to reasons like > you are weak at few topics, and on a particular day you came across questions from these weak areas. > because of time you have to guess wildly in last 6-7 questions. On a lucky day your score would be elevated. > At different times in a day, your brain functions differently. E.g., may be in morning you perform better on the same test, then at late nights. So, you need to investigate the root cause for low scores and work on that, instead of going through the whole lot once again.

boeinz · Answer

yes, am working hard on RC...   ... and other concepts listed in my previous post...

(in addition) my self-evaluation:

1. tend to lose focus during the exam... hence i need to reread the questions, at times, thrice, esp for long questions...

2. not read and pick up every single word on the question, hence i fell into those typical traps..

3. must drink coffee before V (i was exhausted after my Q in my previous GMAT attempt)...

am considering to get the gmat math challenges by hackman to boost my Q? any feedback to those challenges?

orsang8 · Answer

1 week left. Good luck man.

Shinki · Answer

Which schools are planning to apply ?

boeinz · Answer

hi all, I took the gmat today and scored 710 (Q48 V39). Am glad that this gmat journey finally came to an end... Need to focus on the apps now...

GMATPREP 1.1 - 760 (Q50 V44) without AWA GMATPREP 1.2 - 780 (Q50 V48) without AWA GMATPREP 2.1 - 760 (Q50 V42) GMATPREP 2.2 - 770 (Q51 V44) GMATPREP 3.1 - 780 (Q51 V46) The actual GMAT is similar to GMATPREP but its way too tricky. Even in Q now, you have to really read each and every word. The SC portion is way more difficult than GMATPREP. Struggled a bit on V as i need to rush the last 7 questions (including last RC) with 12 minutes remaining. Writing down notes for RC really slowed me down... but i think note-taking helped overall. And also being an active participant in this forum really helped me. Thanks BB and everyone on gmatclub. gmatclub rocks!

Franklin · Answer

YOU DID IT! Man congrats! Nice 60 point jump! Any helpful hints to one who hopes to join you in the 700+ club in about a month?

getmba · Answer

Congrats! Your perseverance paid off.

boeinz · Answer

@franklin: thanks and all to the best to you!

For Q, practise and practise and i cant stress this enough. identify your weak areas, say DS - inequalities, keep on working on it til you can hit a 700-800 type question within 2.5 min max.

For V, lots of reading... Harvard Biz Review articles, economist, etc... 
My strategy was to nail the first 3 RC, i.e. get at least 8 out 9 or 9 out of 10 correct and then for the last RC, get 2/3 or 3/4 correct. i knew that notes-taking is going to slow me down so i have to make the best of it (timing). Otherwise, my RC was only about 60% accuracy...

@getmba: thanks too! all the best to you as well!!

mikeCoolBoy · Answer

Congratulations on your score. Good luck with the rest of your application process

Economist · Answer

Excellent commitment

Great job BTW your Gprep scores suggests you should have scored a bit higher? Anything went wrong in the actual test??

boeinz · Answer

thanks mikecoolboy.

thanks economist. yea i may have gotten a higher score (esp in Q as im from an engineering background).... but i also think that gmatprep kinda inflates the scores... at least for me... therefore i tend not to take those scores seriously...

besides, the qus in gmatprep are relatively more straightforward than those in the actual test... and gmatprep is imo only good for test environment familization.

Economist · Answer

did u take gmat club tests too? i think the quant there is comparable to the actual test

boeinz · Answer

yes i took the free test and its a pretty good practice... get caught on alot of silly mistakes...

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Bitten Twice

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