Drop in Verbal on Real Test, I need help!

Question

Hello everyone

I had my first GMAT test this Monday. I scored much lower than my last mock tests, which was not a surprise as I had to travel to another country to take the test. What surprised me is this:
RC has always been the easiest for me and I've scored the highest at RC in every mock test. However, the ESR shows that RC has been the main reason I scored low on verbal!

My GMAT score: 680 (Q49 - V34)
Verbal breakdown: CR: 75th / RC: 58th /SC: 66th percentile
I have been struggling with SC forever and its result was predicted. But RC has always been stronger that CR. I don't know what has happened. Could it be because the exam room was noisy and distracting? (but if that's the case why it hasn't affected CR)

My last three Official prep tests' scores:
Prep Test #4: 720 (Q49 - V40)
Prep Test #5: 740 (Q50 - V41)
Prep Test #6: 710 (Q50 - V35)

I am planning to take another test in 15 days (to meet the round 2 deadline). And I was wondering what's the best strategy to follow at this short time?

I highly appreciate any advice on this matter, cause I'm totally confused

Thanks in advance!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May help boost your score a bit.  Had a 6-hour student, for example, who retook a low V30 score to a V40 in about 30 days.  Perhaps work with a study buddy who has ace SC skills.

5 tips from a Verbal 99% V48 tutor

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi zahramogadasi.

If you're normally strong in RC, then it seems likely that the distractions in the test center contributed to the drop in your RC score. However, it's still the case that you fell for some trap choices in RC. So, learning a bit more about RC (strategies, trap types, etc.) or doing some more RC practice could be helpful.

Also, it could be helpful just to remember to be super careful and intense during the verbal section. Your verbal score can be significantly affected by how careful and intense you are during the section.

Regarding the next 15 days, you could

- keep working on weaker quant topics to push your quant score up another point or two

- improve overall quant accuracy by doing untimed and timed practice and streaks method practice

- consider studying SC concepts some more to improve in SC

- keep practicing verbal to improve execution and consistency

Also, on test day, be sure to warm up before the test by doing some a few practice questions.

For some key insights into how to practice for best results, see this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

Hello, 15 days is very short to increase score by learning new things. it is better to practice official questions (for verbal) right away. Your gmatprep test says that your verbal score in good one. If you think that your RC is perfectly fine then you can take it again by 15 days, but in the meantime you should increase your SC and quant accuracy. For quant you can use 10 days trial from TTP and for SC you can use Thursdays with Ron SC. Here you go for the link---> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTQlKd ... /playlists

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi zahramogadasi,

First off, a 680/Q49 is a strong Score, so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement (and the more time that you have to act on that advice, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, 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? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) 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)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). Since you purchased the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you. Before you can include attachments with your posts/PMs, you need to have at least 5 posts in the forums (right now, you have 1 post). If you would rather not go through those extra posting steps at this point, then you can feel free to email me directly (at [email protected]).

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

egmat · Answer

Hi zahramogadasi , I am sorry to hear that you did not score well. I know you are confused about the next steps. As a first step, we must figure out the reason for scoring this V34 and then I can help you with a precise 15-day improvement plan. Since you seem to be an e-GMAT student, I’m sure we have a lot of data points in your course that can help us identify the gaps and draft a path forward. I have a few questions about your preparation: Did you consistently score above 75th percentile in RC in the SIGma-X mock tests? Did you graduate hard cementing quizzes of RC in Scholaranium? Did you achieve the targets set by your mentor in the test readiness quizzes? If the answer to all of the above is “yes”, then the current 58th percentile is not a true representation of your ability. And we can create a revision plan (for the next 15 days) to achieve your target. If the answer is “no”, then we’ll have to create a more detailed plan of action. The fact that your Verbal Score dropped from a V41 to a V35 in your last GMAT Prep Mock, could be an indication that something is amiss. We won’t be able to comment on it until we’ve done a thorough analysis. Also, there is scope of improvement in SC and CR as well. Your Scholaranium data can help us identify your weak areas within these subsections. Can you please share your e-GMAT ID through a PM or email us at support@e-gmat.com. I can get this data from your course ID and help you with the next steps. (Please do share the ESR as well in the e-mail) Your commitment for the retake How many hours per day are you willing to put in for the next 15 days? Inspiration Here is an example of a fellow e-GMATer for motivation: Christos improved from 690 to 750 in just 20 days. I look forward to your mail! -Sundeep

zahramogadasi · Answer

Thanks for your advice. It's really helpful.

zahramogadasi · Answer

I really appreciate your thorough analysis and great advice in the email, thanks a lot!

zahramogadasi · Answer

Hello everyone

Thanks for your advice on this topic. I took the test yesterday and I scored 710 (Q49,V38) this time. I couldn't spend much time studying in the 13 days I had, so I just reviewed the materials you mentioned and my past error logs, took two more mock tests and tried to be less tired on test day.

I would like to give very special thanks to  EMPOWERgmatRichC  who just gave the greatest advice and kept supporting me via email. The golden "Triage technique" really works.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Nice work, zahramogadasi.

Being less tired can make a big difference.

We appreciate the update, and may all go well for you going forward.

egmat · Answer

zahramogadasi  - congratulations on scoring 710 and thank you for taking the time to post your updated score. Good luck with your applications.

-Rajat

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