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Crunching the final percentiles

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theGisforGorilla
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Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   11 Apr 2023, 05:58
As a result of going through the torment of timed MGMAT and GMATclub practice sets, I started doubting my ability. These extra-hard sets may or may not be beatable within the time limit. The curiosity was killing me, so I went for an official mock.

I wasn't quite ready and I knew it (I hadn't done a single SC from the OG, yet; and my CR needs practice). Predictably, I got 1/3rd of the SCs wrong, as well as a few CRs. Seemingly incredibly, however, I absolutely nailed the time limit, despite it always having been my greatest problem. Also, no two consecutive errors throughout the entire exam. In the end, I had gotten a 740 (Q50, V41).

Quant 50 - surprisingly, I hadn't made a single sloppy error. However, I did misread one question. Also, I had spent 8 minutes on one question, but still finished with 90s to spare. Every single error was inequality DS... the plan forward should be simple.
How does one go from Q50 to Q51? I am quite upset with myself for still having misread a question after all these months of preparation. Also, there's no guarantee that inequality DS will be the only thing I get wrong in future attempts, especially with test-day heebie jeebies.

Verbal 41 - 1/3rd of SCs wrong, some CRs wrong, perfect RC. Finished with 30s left. Half of the errors were a failed 50/50 between two decent answers, the other half were completely wrong.
Reliably getting CR and SC correct within the time limit seems nigh on impossible.

The question is: what now? I would 'like' a 780. A 760 probably suffices, but if I get a 750 then I will probably have to retake the exam. What are some tried and tested drills for crunching those final percentiles?

PS: My GMAT can be whenever I want it. My local exam centre has free slots all the time with <24h notice. Hopefully, I can be done in April.
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   11 Apr 2023, 09:54
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One great move you can make is to use the streaks method for every topic, and if your goal is 780+, then shoot for streaks of 20 in easy, medium, and hard for every topic.

For detail on how to use the streaks method, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods
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theGisforGorilla
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   11 Apr 2023, 14:56
MartyTargetTestPrep wrote:
One great move you can make is to use the streaks method for every topic, and if your goal is 780+, then shoot for streaks of 20 in easy, medium, and hard for every topic.

For detail on how to use the streaks method, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods


Thanks, I'll give this streak method a go. I'm worried about running out of verbal questions, but it seems perfect for practicing Q51.
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   11 Apr 2023, 16:12
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theGisforGorilla wrote:
MartyTargetTestPrep wrote:
One great move you can make is to use the streaks method for every topic, and if your goal is 780+, then shoot for streaks of 20 in easy, medium, and hard for every topic.

For detail on how to use the streaks method, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods


Thanks, I'll give this streak method a go. I'm worried about running out of verbal questions, but it seems perfect for practicing Q51.

There are some decent third-party Verbal questions you can use. Also, you can use LSAT questions for CR and RC.
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   11 Apr 2023, 18:08
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Verbal 41 - 1/3rd of SCs wrong, some CRs wrong, perfect RC.


Have suggested Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC to students. Working with a study buddy who has strong SC skills may also be helpful. You could, for example, teach them Quant in exchange for this.

Quote:
I wasn't quite ready and I knew it (I hadn't done a single SC from the OG, yet


Fair to say Official questions such as those from the Official-Guide best represent what you'll see on an Official Mock or exam. Solid choice to get used to/practice with them.
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theGisforGorilla
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Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2023, 02:15
MartyTargetTestPrep wrote:
theGisforGorilla wrote:
MartyTargetTestPrep wrote:
One great move you can make is to use the streaks method for every topic, and if your goal is 780+, then shoot for streaks of 20 in easy, medium, and hard for every topic.

For detail on how to use the streaks method, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods


Thanks, I'll give this streak method a go. I'm worried about running out of verbal questions, but it seems perfect for practicing Q51.

There are some decent third-party Verbal questions you can use. Also, you can use LSAT questions for CR and RC.


Indeed, the LSAT has been a fantastic source for RC/CR. SC is still quite hard to find, though.

When practicing 20 in a row, is this untimed?


GmatTutorKnight wrote:
Have suggested Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC to students. Working with a study buddy who has strong SC skills may also be helpful. You could, for example, teach them Quant in exchange for this.

As per Ninja's advice, I'm extra careful not to look at anything other than OG/LSAT verbal. There are just so few SC questions, though... I suppose MGMAT will have to do if I were to run out before reaching mastery.


GmatTutorKnight wrote:
Fair to say Official questions such as those from the Official-Guide best represent what you'll see on an Official Mock or exam. Solid choice to get used to/practice with them.

Yes, I was saving them for a special occasion ;)
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink] New post   12 Apr 2023, 05:05
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theGisforGorilla wrote:
As per Ninja's advice, I'm extra careful not to look at anything other than OG/LSAT verbal.

There are some good third-party Verbal questions. I prepared using mostly third-party Verbal questions, and my lowest Verbal score on the GMAT was 50 and highest was 51. So, the idea that you should use only official questions isn't really correct. You just have to use some judgment regarding which third-party questions you use and what you believe.

Quote:
When practicing 20 in a row, is this untimed?

It can be. The point is to learn to do whatever it takes to get questions correct in streaks of 20, and that type of practice works well untimed.
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Re: Crunching the final percentiles [#permalink]
12 Apr 2023, 05:05

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