First Practice Test - your feedback - where to go from here

Question

Hi all,

Just took my first practice test, the   Full Free Focus Test that I saw on here.

Below are the results. I didn't study or practice for it and have been out of the classroom and in non-technical industry for 7 years.  
  I was considering going back for an MBA for a career switch so decided to take the test and see where I was standing.

Can't say I'm too surprised with the results, especially for the quantitative, never been my strong point.

I guess I'm on here to ask if this is a normal starting point before preparing and studying or am I starting from a low place already ? 
 Just unsure if I will be able to get my quant score high enough to not drag me down.

Scaled Score 
  Percentile  
 
   Data Insights   
  78  
  70  
 
   Quantitative  
  60  
  0  
 
   Verbal  
  83  
  86  
 
   Total  
  475  
  20

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi manu9,

475 is a very solid start. Regarding how to move forward, I recommend concentrating on one topic at a time while studying. This allows for thorough understanding and practice, which is key to improving your score.

For example, let's consider your study of Number Properties. First, immerse yourself in all aspects of this topic, and then, focus solely on Number Property questions. After each problem set, take the time to delve into your incorrect answers. This self-reflection is a powerful tool that allows you to understand your learning process and make significant improvements. For instance, if you made a mistake in a remainder question, ask yourself why. Was it a careless error? Did you not apply the remainder formula correctly? Was there a concept in the question that you didn't grasp?

By meticulously analyzing your mistakes, you will efficiently address your weaknesses and, consequently, enhance your GMAT quant skills. This process has been unequivocally proven to be effective. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all Quant, Verbal, and DI topics.
For some more tips on the best way to structure your studying, here is a great article:

The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Good luck!

manu9 · Answer

Took a second test after about 3 weeks of studying, another 475.
QR-67;VR-82;DI-72

My deadline is 1st week of March to apply for INSEAD (so need around 650-675 ?)
Seems like I have a long way to go in a short time, is self-prep doable or should I just bite the bullet or get a prep course?

QQum · Answer

A prep course may give you the direction you are looking for. You don't have much time and you need a targetted approach, but then you will know the best on what suits you.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi manu9,

Which tests have you been taking? As for self-prep, that's always an option, but a third-party course may make the process more efficient (or it may make things worse, depending on the quality of the course).

manu9 · Answer

Hi all

I'm coming back after a few weeks of studying for some more Quants advice.

I'm planning on taking the test next weekend due to application deadlines.
I took a third test to see where I was and was happy with my Verbal and DI.

12-Dec Percentile Scaled Score
QR 0 60
VR 86 83
DI 70 78
Total 20 475
 
9-Jan Percentile Scaled Score
QR 7 67
VR 79 82
DI 34 82
Total 22 475
 
22-Feb Percentile Scaled Score
QR 35 75
VR 91 84
DI 94 82
Total 80 615

Sadly I am still not close to my quants goal (80 minimum).
I have been on study mode for about 6-8 hours daily for two months.

Using TTP as well as GMAT Forum and GMAT Ninja.
I have less than a week left and plan to focus on solely on Quants topics I am the weakest in but I thought I would come here and ask for some more tips.

Anything helps.

Thank you.

bb · Answer

Hi. Congrats on improvement. Perhaps a useless question but just to clarify these are the GMAT prep results?

Did you have any repeat questions or anything like that? Just clarifying.

For Quant, it’s really straightforward and is all about moving optimally through the test. Are you running out of time by chance and rushing at the end?

manu9 · Answer

Thank you. First test was from here  GMAT club forum,  second and third were from the  GMAT Prep  I didn't retake them and didn't get repeat questions.

I did have some problems with time management ,  especially towards the end of DI and Verbal but it didn't feel like that in the quants part.
I just felt lost in a lot of the questions and they felt more difficult than what I had been practicing on TTP.

Attached are quants details from this latest test.

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First Practice Test - your feedback - where to go from here

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My Rewards

	Scaled Score	Percentile
Data Insights	78	70
Quantitative	60	0
Verbal	83	86
Total	475	20