GMAT Diagnostic Test Score 530

Question

HI All,

I gave the GMAT diagnostic test (GMATprep) and got a score of 530. I have booked my GMAT slot for January 2021 and have roughly 4 more months to prepare. I am aiming for a score of 650+. Would you suggest I reschedule my exam to a later date or will 4 months of preparation be sufficient. I am working and I need to juggle between work and preparation.

Thanks in advance

projectseven20 · Answer

I think it depends on whether you have studied for GMAT before or not. If you took GMAT diagnostic test without studying much, there is a room for big improvement. I also scored 560 first time (absolutely without knowing GMAT format .... I didn't even know DS questions always have same 5 options ...). My score improved to 660 easily right after I learned certain time management and adaptive test taking skills.

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GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Niharika16,

4 months is an ample amount of time to prepare for GMAT. As long as you can dedicate a few hours to study, you can finish the preparation in the stipulated time. Let me share my insights on how to do that.

You need to ensure that you dedicate a slot for studying every day, just as you dedicate some time in the day to go to office. Timing and duration of the slot will vary on basis of your schedule and personal preferences, but make sure you’ve a slot fixed. Don’t procrastinate and even on a busy day. Try to study at least for 30 mins.

What is the best way to do it? 
Now you must be wondering how do I motivate myself to study every day. It’s really simple. Having a proper study plan will help you do it. Having said that, many students organize the topics and make a plan but eventually don’t follow it.   They fail to follow the plan because they do not having the proper deadlines! . Having a proper deadline will motivate you to finish the task under a stipulated time. Having said that, a person who can dedicate 5 hours a day cannot have the same deadline as a person who can dedicate only 3 hours a day. As most students are working professionals, and are at different positions, the number of hours they can dedicate is not the same. So, a generic plan would not suffice. Then what is the solution?

The solution is a personalized study plan! 
A personalized study plan is something which takes into account the number of hours a person can dedicate in a week and the approximate deadlines and then creates weekly tasks based on that. For example, a person who can dedicate 20 hours a week and plans to appear for the test in 3 months has to have different weekly tasks compared to a person who can dedicate 40 hours a week and plans to appear in 45 days.

As you are a beginner, you might be face it tough to make a proper study plan. If you need any help in making a plan, you can sign up for the free trial of GMATWhiz and get your personalized study plan for the 4 months. Hope it helped! If you need any help regarding the study strategy, you can schedule a free consultation call using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

prateekchugh · Answer

Hi Niharika....

It depends upon person to person. I think you should make Proper study plan for 4 months and do quality study not quantity.

I think this would do in 4 months:

1) Complete Manhattan Maths books ( if your maths is good you can complete this very fast) and Download GMAT club Maths book and take notes on it. ( You can download Manhattan books from the internet)
2) Start with Manhattan Reading Comprehension Book and after completing it, start Practice everyday 1 or 2 OG RC questions. Focus on the mistake and learn. Do not try to solve more than 2 RC question in a day. ( You can download OG 2015/13 from the internet, it is sufficient for practice. DO not buy the latest one because most of the questions are same)
3) Study CR from Power score CR bible, I think it is the best book for CR. Study the question properly. Do not rush into complete this book. Study at slow pace, because you need to understand every question with every option. After completion of this book, start solving questions from OG. I would say 2 to 3 Questions every day. 
4) Start Sentence Correction from Manhattan book: I think this is the best book for SC. Just solve all the question and Download GMAT Grammar book and make your own notes on it. After completion of this book, start solving questions from OG. 
5) After completing all the books and OG, Stop for awhile and think what you have learn, start looking in your mistake and make your proper approach. Do not see that how other people solve the question, just think how you will solve the question accurately and in time. You own approach is very crucial. Many institute just tell you about how to solve the question but you have to make you own method.
6) Regularly Solve question in GMAT CLUB because you will earn points , using which you can Redeem GMAT CLUB Test for free.
7) Solve GMAT CLUB Quant Test. They are very good.
8) Purchase or Redeem points to get Veritas Exam pack or Manhattan Exam Pack. Solve all the test and improve yourself.
9) Solve the Remaining GMAT official Test or purchase the new one.

Finally, If you think you are ready then go for it. If not I would not suggest to waste your money, time and attempt.

I think this is the way I'll study. Hope you will find some good information from this.

My good luck to you. Hope you score well.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Niharika16,

I do think 4-months would be sufficient. If you need any advice regarding your study plan, feel free to reach out. Also, you may find it helpful to read the following article:

The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT

Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Niharika16,

A 530 is a solid initial CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years). In addition, many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so you've given yourself plenty of potential study time - which is great! This is meant to say that you will have to put in some significant study time to hit your Goal Score, that goal is achievable in the timeframe that you are working with.

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 so far? 
2) What study materials are you currently using (or have access to)?
3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this initial practice CAT Test?

Goals:
4) Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

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