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ElGato21
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From 580 to 650 in a month 15 Jan 2021, 22:39
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Hello everyone,

I'm looking at MBAs, and I have absolutely no idea if I'm good enough for this kind of studies of if I'm just day dreaming.
I'm an French engineer, graduated in 2012. I haven't done any math since then.

Yesterday I took my first GMAT mock test, just to decide if it was worth or not to invest time in GMAT study. I hadn't done any single GMAT question before.

My results were 580 (QR 38, VR 31)

I think there is some room for improvement, since my maths got a bit rusty.


- Do you think working 4 hours a day for the next month to get to 650 is something doable, or brain needs more time to improve?
- Would you focus on QR (as an engineer, I think I can do better if I train) or VR ?
- VR was quite hard to me, since my English is far from being perfect, and I spent a lot of time trying to understand the English rather than thinking about the question. Can we say native english speakers are more likely to perform on GMat than others?
- I didn't do the essay at all, and apparently it's not something my MBA will look at. Can I just ignore this part on the test day?


Thanks a lot for your help, and have a great day.
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homersimpsons
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From 580 to 650 in a month 15 Jan 2021, 22:43
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70 point improvement is something you can definitely achieve with a good study plan.
Go for a course I would say.
Egmat or gmatwhiz for Verbal.
And TTp for Quant.
Also these links can help
https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-definiti ... ml?fl=menu
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-bo ... ml?fl=menu
https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-pra ... ml?fl=menu
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-co ... ml?fl=menu
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From 580 to 650 in a month 16 Jan 2021, 04:01
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https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-definiti ... ml?fl=menu
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
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From 580 to 650 in a month 16 Jan 2021, 21:39
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Hi Victorgdb,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you are going to limit your studies to just 1 month, then there will likely be a limit to how much you can improve in that time. From what you describe, you will have to re-learn a number of math concepts (although it's worth noting that the Quant section of the GMAT is NOT a 'math test' - it's a 'critical thinking test' that requires that you work through lots of little calculations along the way), meaning that you will almost certainly need more than 1 month of study to get to the point that you can consistently score 650+. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

While most Programs don't care much about the AWA/Essay, you have to be careful about assuming that the ones that you are interested in don't care at all. Most Programs are satisfied as long as you can score a 4.0 (out of 6.0) - and that's a fairly easy score to hit on the AWA. Scoring below that (or essentially 'skipping' the Essay) might be seen as a 'red flag' - and you do NOT want to accidentally have any Admissions Officers questioning whether you would be a good choice to invite to their respective Programs.

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 your timeline and your goals:

1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
2) When are you planning to apply (and if it is sometime soon, then what specific application deadlines are you facing?)?
3) What study materials do you currently have access to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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From 580 to 650 in a month 18 Jan 2021, 20:19
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Hi Victorgdb,

I'm happy to provide some advice; however, I would also like to learn more about your situation with the GMAT. Once you respond to the questions already asked I can provide some advice. In the meantime, feel free to check out the following article:

How to Start Studying for the GMAT: 5 Steps for Success
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ElGato21
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From 580 to 650 in a month 19 Jan 2021, 22:18
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Hello,

Thanks a lot for your answers, you are doing an amazing job helping us here.
I'm planning to apply to 2 schools, INSEAD, and HEC Paris.

I'm trying to get the February session (deadline the 25th of February), but if I don't pass the GMAT, I could try the next July session.

I'm currently working thanks to TTP, recommended by homersimpsons. The lessons are great.
I also have the official guides, but I'm not sure I'll have the time to work on them.

I'm trying to learn as much as possible in the next month, but there is a looot to do. Really understanding 1 module a day is a real challenge. I'm almost full time on it, so it'll be hard, but I will do my best to improve my score and maybe, get lucky and reach the 650-700.
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