GMAT ADVICE GMAT PREP CAT 580 (Q46, V24) GOAL Over 700

Question

Hey everyone;

I would like to know your opinion and ask for your advice about my process so far and how to continue. Any recommendation about materials is more than aprecciated..

My Gmat preparation started in 2017, i took a Kaplan course. 
Started the course with a 480 and finished with a 610 (Q40, V30). This score desmotivated me, also i figured that now was not the time for an MBA in my career.

Now in 2021 ive decided that this is the moment. Started studying in March but had to stop since my job was demanding me lots of time. 
Started studing again in June, have used MGMAT strategy guide and following their syllabus. I have covered 6 of the 9 clases. Though I have not covered the extra hard section of MGMAT guides yet.
This weekend after 2 months and two weeks of study i did my first cat, GMAT PREP getting 580 (Q46,V24), the score was about what i was expecting for my first cat, since i have been studing more the theories and fundamentals than excersice excersice.
My analysis about the cat was that it is a very strong Quant but a very weak verbal. My goal is to get over 700,

I would like to apply in the first deadline, nevertheless i know its a difficult deadline from the position im in right now. Saying that my goal is to apply in January, if i can apply before great if not January.

Any tips, materials, opinion, analysis. Every help is greatly appreciated.

Best Regards
Felipe

ruma2008 · Answer

To complement the information given, I study about 2 hours a day on week days ( at Lunch time and after work), 3-4 hours on Saturday and 0-2 hours on Sunday

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

For Verbal, two things can be helpful

1) Learning the patterns and logic tested. For example, an unemployed man moved from LA to NY. In NY, he got a job. Does that mean NY has better job opportunities than LA or that the man was more motivated to find a job in NY. 
Basically, learning the traps that come into play on causation, for example, can be helpful.

2) Learning how to approach and tackle questions. I usually teach a 6-hour Solving Approach course for this, but essentially it comes down to learning methods to solve questions more effectively/efficiently. On Quant, for example, you may have realized how "using" the answer choices to solve the question can be helpful sometimes.

All the best.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Felipe,

One of the important aspects of training to score at a high level on the GMAT is that you have to take FULL-LENGTH CATs at regular intervals (since there are Test-taking skills that take time to develop, but that can really only be learned by taking CATs over time); you should also make sure to take those CATs in a way that matches-up with how you will take your Official GMAT. With just this one CAT Score as a reference, it's tough to say for sure what your actual 'ability level' is right now (since you may have gotten a bit lucky or unlucky on this 1 CAT). Statistically-speaking though, raising a 580 to the point that you can consistently score 700+ will likely require that you commit to at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam so you CAN train to score at a higher level, but you would like find it beneficial to push back your planned Test Date and applications to Round 2.

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:

1) Did you use any of the Official GMAC CATs/mocks when you studied back in 2017?
2) Was the 'final score' you mentioned in 2017 (the 610) from a practice CAT or from the Official GMAT?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

ruma2008 · Answer

Firts of all thank you for giving some of your time to give your advice, really appreciate it.

Answering your questions:

1) In 2017 i used the two free GMAC Cats, and reused them (some questions got repeated so its not a representative score) also used the 6 kaplan CAT MOCS
This time im planning in buying doing the remaining official free GMAC Cat, Use my 6 MGMAT CATS and maybe doing veritas (read this are the most similar to GMAC official Cat)

2) It was from the official GMAT, i must add i never felt prepared for this test. I feel i rushed with it, i was not getting 700 i was in 630. I would say my fundamentals were shaky. I should have posponed.

3) Im planning to apply to schools that range in mean Gmat from (710 to 660), there is one with mean 630. Nevertheless if my score is 680 or over i would apply to two of the top ten business schools

MathRevolution · Answer

Hello Felipe,

GMAT Club is one of the great platforms to get information about the GMAT official test, Study plan, Section wise instructions, etc.

Your current score is a bit shaky. You can schedule a Free Counseling(https://calendly.com/mathrevolution/1-on-1-session) session for 20 mins with one of our experts to have detailed advice on your current study plans.

A couple of things that can be a noticeable barrier to your scores would be some or all of the below.

• Inefficiency by using time-consuming Conventional method to tackle DS and PS questions still
• No expert support (maybe) who can tutor, analyze, and guide you during your learning
• Not well aligned with time to solve questions.

Precisely, there has to be one end-to-end solution encompassing all the points mentioned above. We also want to understand your approach to solving PS and DS questions. You can try our free diagnostic test https://www.mathrevolution.com/diagnostic/dtExamMember and receive a comprehensive study guide by topic. This test will clearly help you understand your weak areas.

Your study plan will now change as you are already ready with the vital concepts and their application. The diagnostic test report will give us detailed insight into various topics and your performance. After an in-depth analysis, we will draw out the category of the topics you are already better at and those where you need more improvement. Also, we will be able to compare your performance while solving the PS and DS questions.

Also, make a note of various possible combinations to achieve a score of 700+. The possible scores will help you track your performance after taking the mock or practice test. It will also help you maintain balance in both the sections, and you will always be in a great position to allot the study hours to a specific area accordingly.

We recommend that you learn the Variable Approach for solving DS questions and the IVY approach to solve PS questions to improve your accuracy and save time while solving the question types.

These approaches are the robust self-designed time-saving techniques that will help you learn efficiently, thus raising your score in the quick nick of time.

Register with MathRevolution https://www.mathrevolution.com/member/signup to get access to our 7-days on-demand course for free trial lessons.

700+ level questions https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/questionbank are separately available, too. Start with the learning of the concepts. Make a habit of taking notes during the initial learning of the concepts.

Below is the useful link we will recommend you visit on GMAT club to experience DS and IVY approaches' power.

Ultimate Q51 guide: https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-ultimate ... l#p1613600

Breakdown of GMAT math questions and types: https://gmatclub.com/forum/overview-of- ... l#p1641411

To prepare for Verbal, you can access many study materials from Crack Verbal, e-GMAT, and other test-prep experts for Verbal. You may also refer to Aristotle Grail for sentence correction and GMAT power bank for CR question types. There are also many free materials available in the GMAT Club.

In the end, make sure you have an error log for every day, and you may connect with one of our experts to learn the hard concept and approaches. Keep checking your performance by attempting as many mock tests as possible.

Regular tests will reflect the positive change in the score, and hence, your confidence will boost up. Gradually, with the help of mock tests, you will be able to compete with time and hence will be able to learn time management.

We appreciate your time and patience in reading this reply.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Success is within your reach.
Good luck!

Math Revolution Team

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi ruma2008,

I think that applying in January is a good timeline because I do think you'll need to spend a number of months working on your verbal skills. That said, if you want some advice on how to improve in GMAT verbal, here is a great article you can check out:

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Felipe,

Since you are currently working through some study materials (and you admit that you've been more focused on learning the theories than on working through practice questions) - and we have just this one CAT result as a reference - I suggest that you continue to study as you like for the next 1-2 weeks, then take a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT. Make sure to take it in a realistic fashion that matches-up with what you will face when you take the Official GMAT (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, if you will be at a Test Facility, then wear a face mask, etc.). Once you have that Score, you should post back here (or you can feel free to PM me directly) and we can discuss the results and how you might best proceed with your studies.

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

ruma2008 · Answer

Hey;

Just did my 2nd cat, this time a Manhattan Cat, got a 640 (Q44, V34). Im happy about the score since i can say i have improved, nevertheless im having some time problems in the verbal part.
Also trying to improve anxiety an concentration issues.
From the the quant part im more than happy since ive read that manhattan cats are more difficult than the real gmat.
In verbal apart from time problems i was a bit dissapointed about my CR. I also read manhattan cats are a bit easier than the real test, is this true? is it far easier? or only a bit?

Critical Reasoning 50%
Reading Comprehension 67%
Sentence Correction 57%

Planning on giving my first try at the test in October

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Felipe,

While the MGMAT CATs are generally regarded as being a little tougher than the Official GMAT, they will still provide you with a reasonably accurate assessment of your current 'ability level' (assuming that you take the CAT in a realistic fashion that matches-up with how you will take your Official GMAT). Overall, this result is a good sign - and to build on this improvement, some additional analysis is required. I've sent you a PM with some additional questions that can help you to perform that self-analysis.

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

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