From 500 to 650 in one month

Question

Hello,

I would like to have a score of 650 for the GMAT and currently clock in at 500. I had planned to make the GMAT at the beginning of November.

Things that I struggle with

Verbal: I do well with RC and CR, but not so much with SC. I think I lack a proper strategy on how to tackle these - any advice?

Quant: Overall I think I can improve here in all categories. Geometery and roots is something that I struggle with, and high level questions regarding Rates, and Overlapping Sets.

Also, sometimes when I read a question it is not that clear what they want from me, but when I read the answer I see how easy it is. Any advice pertaining this?

Is such an increase possible in one month? I have the drive and the time to commit to the GMAT, but I think I lack a proper plan on how to reach my goal.

Any help is appreciated!

nishantd88 · Answer

While your goal is definitely achievable, it depends on how much effort you put in the right direction.
I hope you have taken a GMATPrep test. If not, do that to get a better understanding of where you are as of now.

For SC, you can try e-gmat's course. I have personally used it and its reviews too are pretty good. For quant you can use Manhattan for concepts and then OG for practice.

souvonik2k · Answer

For SC, first of all, you need to get the rules thoroughly. MGMAT guide can help you with that.
Regarding Quant , the Ultimate GMAT quant thread from Gmat club is very useful. Follow Bunuel, and solve the questions posted by him. You can refer his posts beneath his signature. If possible subscribe to Gmat club tests, they are tough and help to learn new concepts and tricks.
Study Plan of Gmat club is a new feature that u can utilize.
IMO, from 500 to 650 is difficult in a month, but once u start preparing it may be possible. Take mock tests every weekend to know your areas of improvement.

mbaaspirant80 · Answer

Hi SamDGold

First take a diagnostic test and share your score break up .

For quant read manhattan guides and use gmatclub tests.

For verbal SC: manhattan
 CR : power score bible
RC : gclub stuff

pushpitkc · Answer

Hello SamDGold , You could use this forum very effectively in order to build your concepts. Alternatively, you could use the Manhattan Strategy guides to develop the concepts for SC/CR and RC. The Aristotle SC Grail is an awesome resource to improve your concepts in SC. In order to improve your Quant Section, do the following : 1. Follow Bunuel at the Math Forum(for Quant Section) His signature contains some awesome questions that give you the true taste of GMAT. Baker's Dozen, 12 Easy Pieces etc.. Even otherwise, solve each and every question he puts up on the forum. They definitely give you all the practice that you need for Quant. 2. These are some links which I found to be very beneficial for Quant! GMAT Club Maths Book : https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-math-book-87417.html Quantitative Megathread : https://gmatclub.com/forum/ultimate-gma ... 44512.html 3.Buy the GMATClub Tests(which can help you improve your scores tremendously) You could either buy them or earn kudos to redeem the tests. GMATClub tests contain some awesome questions which bring out the best when it comes to the Quant Section. Last but not the least, you might want to check this study plan out https://gmatclub.com/forum/study-plan-383/ Hope that helps you in some way!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SamDGold,

Raising a 500 to a 650+ will require that you make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. That work will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study, so the goal to try to achieve that in just one month is likely too difficult to be considered realistic. 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? 
2) What study materials have you used so far? 
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals: 
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School? 
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

SamDGold · Answer

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all of your responses. I will look into them.

Regarding the questions of  EMPOWERgmatRichC

1) A bit over a month now
2) I Used the MGMAT books and the GMAC Offical Review book for excercises
3) On the 26th of September I took one and had a score of 420 (Q22/V25)
Yesterday I took another one and had a score of 530 (Q32/V31)

4) I am assuming you mean when I plan on taking the GMAT? This would be in the beginning of November.
5) The Uni where I would like to do my Masters at is Stockholm School of Economics. WU Vienna and Copenhagen Business School are also Uni's where I will apply.

The reason for the beginning of November is that there is a deadline at 15 of November. The second deadline is at 15 January, but I hope to be able to apply before the first deadline as I will be taken into consideration twice.

Do you know how long it takes the results to reach the Uni's?

So do you think it's possible to reach 650 in less than a month?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SamDGold,

To start, you've made some nice improvements so far - raising a 420 to a 530 in a month is a significant achievement. That having been said, the next 120+ point that you're after will almost certainly take far more time and effort to achieve.

The reason why I asked when you plan to apply to Business School is so that I could get a sense of your timetable. For example, if you were going to apply to School next year (or later on), then you wouldn't be in a 'rush' to study and work on your applications at the same time. Given what you intended plan, a November 15th deadline is about 4.5 weeks away - and that's likely NOT enough time to properly study for the GMAT, hit your score goal and craft an effective application. The 2nd deadline (in January) gives you far more time - and again, you will almost certainly need another 3 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goal.

Your studies so far have been 'book heavy'; unfortunately, many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. While it's too early to know whether this has happened to your or not, you'll likely end up needing to invest in some new, non-book resources.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

SamDGold · Answer

Hello, thanks for your response!

1) You are right when it comes to a book heavy approach. What do you recommend?

2) I have all the time right now to study

With all of that being said, how do you think I should proceed?

Most of my errors in Verbal are in SC, so I wanted to spend some more time on that. In Quant it's a bit more wide-spread, but Geometry is my weakest area.

Thanks again for the help!

Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met GMAT Club Forum

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SamDGold,

I want to reiterate that if you're thinking about trying to 'cram' for the next 4 weeks, then that's NOT likely to get you to your score goal ('cramming' rarely leads to great results in these types of situations). Based on your practice CAT scores - and your score goal - you're going to have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. All of that work will require that you focus on specific content and Tactics, so you would likely find it really beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality and budget.

If you have any additional questions, then just let me know.

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

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