Forever stuck at 660. Need help in verbal

Question

Hi everyone

Here are my test scores:

1. GMAT Prep 1 : 660, Q49, V31
2. GMAT Prep 1 (Retake after a month): 660, Q50, V28
3. MGMAT 1 (Last week): 660, Q45, V35
4. GMAT Prep 2: 660, Q49, V32

I want to hit 730+. It can only be achieved with V40.  Verbal masters, please help . Finished (90%) E-GMAT's SC course, just FYI.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pdkgearbox,

Your scores are remarkably consistent, which implies that you're doing certain things correctly while making the same mistakes over-and-over. Beyond learning some new tactics for the Verbal section, you also have to work to get out of whatever 'bad habits' you've developed during your studies.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) How long have you been working on the Verbal section specifically?
3) What resources have you been using?
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

pdkgearbox · Answer

1. Close to two months, with 80% time to verbal
2. As mentioned above
3. OG15, e-GMAT SC, Aristotle RC, CR + PS + DS ---> Gmatclub
4. I've haven't booked. The moment I hit 700+, within next 3 weeks of that.

Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pdkgearbox,

While 2 months seems like a lot of time, many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) on the study process, so it might be that you just haven't put in enough time and effort yet. You've also used a 'book-heavy' study plan - that type of approach often gets Test Takers 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and it's possible that this is what's happened to you. To get 'unstuck', you might need to invest in some new computer-based resources and learn/practice some new tactics for the Verbal section.

Since you haven't committed to a particular Test Date yet, when are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

pdkgearbox · Answer

ISB '17 only. R1 or R2, that depends on GMAT.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pdkgearbox,

Given those deadlines, you still have plenty of time to continue studying. While you probably don't want to extend your study timeline that far, you do have the freedom to do so. To help this process along, it would be a good idea to really 'nitpick' your Verbal performances on each of your CATs. When reviewing your incorrect answers, it's useful to try to figure out WHY you got each question wrong. Was it because of a silly/little mistake? Did you narrow the answers down to two choices and then 'guess'? Was the question just too hard? Are there certain types of questions that consistently give you trouble? Etc.

As I mentioned before, it's likely that you've developed some 'bad habits' that need to be defined (and 'fixed') before you'll see the improvement that you're looking for.

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

pdkgearbox · Answer

Yes, you are right. I have developed bad habits and trying really hard to iron it out. Could you throw light on how to use an error log in verbal?
I seem to miss the point of it.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pdkgearbox,

Error logs can be a really useful part of the study process, but can sometimes be tricky to implement in the Verbal section IF you don't have a clearly defined set of Verbal tactics. If you're consistently narrowing down the answers but "guessing wrong", then you're still missing some vital part of the question (or some vital step in the strategic process) - so beyond using an error log, you have to learn (and rigorously practice) Verbal tactics.

Do you have a sense of the types of questions that you're consistently getting wrong?

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

pdkgearbox · Answer

Of 11-14 mistakes I make, SC takes the cake at 7-8. All varieties of SC-600,700,800;I get all wrong or right, depending on my luck/mood/whatever.

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey pdkgearbox, The SC section is the easiest verbal section to make improvements on. Once you understand how to think and approach this question type, there are only so many ways you can be tested. Here at GMAT Pill we developed the 10 core frameworks which detail the 10 ways to approach GMAT sentence corrections. Here is a sample video detailing one of the core frameworks: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... stion/2184 For CR, we recommend a visual framework approach to help you understand the complex short passages and how each item relates to each other. Here is a video describing the visual framework approach: https://www.gmatpill.com/criticalreasoni ... Estate.mp4 To improve RC - you really need visual guidance. Don't read articles about how to improve reading. You improve by actually doing or watching someone else do. That's why you might find these video walkthroughs helpful: https://www.gmatpill.com/practicequestio ... tions.html Best of luck on your studies!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pdkgearbox,

Conceptually, SCs are similar to Geometry questions - there are rules that you MUST know to correctly answer the question, patterns/shortcuts that you can take advantage of and the occasional opportunity to spot an answer that just 'makes sense.'

If your "mood" is impacting how you handle SCs, then you might need to work on your knowledge 'base.'

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

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Forever stuck at 660. Need help in verbal

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards