Disappointed but not broken... Need advise on GMAT Prep Course

Hi GmatChallengerLA,

Before you make any big investments into any new study materials, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
4) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 410?

Goals:
5) What is your goal score?
6) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
7) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
8) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hello Empower,

Below are my answers to yours questions:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
Started around November 2016, started really focusing during holiday break from work. In hindsight, I feel like I focused too much on the formulas and grammar rules, not enough practice.

2) What materials have you used?
Used Official GMAT Guide 2017, Prep videos on Youtube, got Algebra and Geometry books but thought the prep videos will be enough

3) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
Actually good thing you have asked cause I haven't taken one, the only practice exams I took were from the official guide site.

4) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 410?
Q37/V21

Goals:
5) What is your goal score?
650

6) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
In 2 months

7) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
Hopefully fall this year

8) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
USC, UCLA (feel like its along shot), CSU, Marymount

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys. I am a new member to this forum. Nice to meet you here.

Hi GmatChallengerLA,

Unfortunately, the goal of raising a 410 to a 650 in just 2 months is not a realistic goal. That type of improvement will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. In your original post, you mentioned that you were interested in GMAT Courses and that is likely exactly what you need to hit your goal. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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

Thanks for your assistance Empower, we'll see what happens