ESR analysis - help needed

Question

Hello all,

I recently took my GMAT exam and scored only a 680 - Q48 V35. I am planning to retake the test in 3 weeks. I need help to analyze my ESR and form a study plan. 
My 4 Veritas mocks ranged between 680-710 with similar splits. However my 4 official mocks ranged between 730-740. But I had got some repeat questions.

My target is 750+. Please help!! I have attached my ESR.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Bhu750.

An ESR is somewhat useful, but not super useful. For instance, your ESR seems to indicate that you should work on Algebra, Inqualities, and Absolute Value, but you may be aware that what you really need to work on most is Geometry.

So, we can get some ideas from your ESR, but also, you can analyze your performance on practice questions and practice tests and consider what types of questions you'd rather not see on the GMAT to determine what to focus on as you continue to prepare.

To increase your quant score by a point or two or even just to make sure you score at least Q48 next time, work on Algebra, Inqualities, and Absolute Value along with any other quant topics that you feel could use some work. By reviewing the concepts involved in each weaker topic and then doing practice questions involving that topic until you practically can't get them wrong, you can master quant one topic at a time and drive your expected score higher.

Regarding verbal, it appears that you have to work on discerning meaning issues in SC. So, keep practicing SC, untimed, and carefully read each version to determine whether it conveys a meaning that makes sense if read literally.

For CR and RC, your ESR seems to suggest that you should work on Inference questions, among other types. Once again, you probably know what types you need to focus on. So, focus on them one at a time, practicing untimed until you get them correct consistently, and then work on speeding up while maintaining high accuracy.

For some tips on improving your CR skills,, see this post.  GMAT Critical Reasoning: 8 Essential Tips

For some tips on how to prepare for verbal in general, see this one.  How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

Bhu750 · Answer

Is 1 month enough to get my target score of I put in 4-5 hours a day? I want to apply in R2..I will focus on the areas that you have suggested. Thank you!

Posted from my mobile device

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

It could be if your approach to preparing is rather effective. At the same time, 750 is not an easy score to achieve. So, you may or may not get to 750 in a month.

To get to your goal, get two more points in quant by mastering any weaker area you can think of. It may take around one or two days to master each weaker sub topic, longer for a broader topic. You could master 10 or more quant sub topics while also working on verbal in a month.

Then get the rest of the points in verbal.

To see score combinations that will get you to your goal, you could use this  score chart .

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Bhu750,

First off, a 680/Q48 is a solid 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. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

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

When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues - as well as the data in your ESR - it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
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)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Bhu750,

For scoring 700 and above, you need to get the easy medium questions right as GMAT test is adaptive in nature. You can afford making mistakes only in the latter half of the Section, not in the beginning. You have to make the GMAT algorithm serve you difficult questions and get them right as well. For that, being conceptually clear on all topics is really vital. Not only this, you have to be good with application of concepts because  GMAT is a test of application of concepts .

As evident from your score breakup, you have a good command over Quant, just a bit more methodical application of concept would help you get a Q50. If you are struggling with any particular topic, you can share with me for help.

Coming to Verbal, you appear to be struggling with Critical reasoning majorly and need to work a bit more on the other two.

You have to follow certain steps while solving CR questions.
● Read the argument
● Identify the premise and the conclusion
● Read the question stem
● Identify the missing link (Pre-think the assumption)
● Eliminate answer choices which are irrelevant or out of scope

Identifying the conclusion helps you understand the scope of the argument, which in turn helps you to eliminate answer choices which fall out of scope. And to develop the ability to pre-think, you need to understand the framework on which most CR questions are based. Once you identify the framework, there are certain guidelines using which you can come up with the missing link.

You may find this link helpful:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzPIeNT1RYc

You can schedule a call with us using the link given below for a detailed discussion around the same along with ESR analysis. This way we can go through your exact pain points and come up with a revised strategy for you.

Click here to schedule a call

Would be happy to help!

sanyaaaaaaaaa · Answer

Great!

ESR analysis - help needed

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