mitko20m wrote:
Hi all, my exam is in a week from today and I am stuck on a score between 520 and 630. I have taken the exam five times and am very skeptical about the score I would get but have decided to give it one final shot. I am waitlisted at three Top 5 schools and my GMAT score is the only thing that would prevent me from getting in (as explained to me by admissions). I need at least 650, preferably 690 to make the cut.
In quant (range 30-42), my weakest side is problem solving, specifically word problems (algebraic translations, rate problems, and occasionally, linear equations). I am doing very well on DS problems, combinatorics, and all other topics (Rarely make mistakes on DS). Time management is not an issue - I often finish 5-10 minutes early in each section, but I clearly need to spend this time proofing my work. In verbal, I am stuck on a range 27 - 35. My weakest side is CR (assumption / inference), SC (Idioms), and RC overall. Admittedly, I have not spent much time on RC, or verbal prep in general. I did read about and tried to apply the various Kaplan and Manhattan techniques but found that my V score dropped..
Any suggestions on how I can best spend the next 5-6 days before test day would be greatly appreciated. I have already exhausted the question bank from GMATPrep and completed the 6 Manhattan practice tests (and almost done with the free tests listed on the forum. I have taken time off of work to study and plan to take a test each day, review it, and allocate 1-2 hours in the evening each day to verbal / quant and focus on addressing my weaknesses. Thank you for the advice!
Ok, by no means am I an expert, but I think you're pretty close to a 650 its possible to get there maybe possibly even a little higher. You say your range is Q30-Q42. If you slow down a little in your exam you might easily get to Q45. You identified PS as your issue, I would go through GMAT MATH Flash Cards on this forum. You have 6 days, review these cards at least 3-4 times. Practice problem-solving questions, and just take your time with them. Even if it takes you three - four minutes to solve its fine. With time you will get quicker.
Also Highly recommend looking at this article on how to organize your scratchpad, especially for the quant section. It comes with a very good way of keeping track of your time management effortlessly. It seems like you know your weaknesses if you feel there is a question you have no chance of solving sacrifice it. (Unless you're way ahead on time) Now you have a little extra time and you could possibly get a few more of the problem-solving questions right with the extra time.
Try doing just a QUANT CAT with the mentioned strategy, see how you feel.
I am pretty much with you in the same boat for verbal, so I can't really make some great recommendations there.
I was falling a little behind in SC and needed to catch up on some knowledge gaps so I used this free ebook:
https://www.manhattanreview.com/download ... -Guide.pdfYou can go through all the content minus practice problems in about 3-4 Hours. If anything it is a good review.
For CR Assumption/Inference Questions You want to quickly map out The Premises, and then the Conclusion. And See what assumption would you have to take to from the Premise to the Conclusion.
If you can tighten these errors you should easily be able to get Q45v35 which is about a 650. You could also do much better then this, but you are not far from your goal.
Most of all believe in your self that the score you want is possible!!
Best of Luck Hope You get that 690+ !!!
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22 Mar 2017, 05:07
