GMAT EXAM QUIERY

Question

Hi, 
I have my GMAT exam on 2nd Jan and I am very underconfident about it. I have been scoring around 620-630 in official mocks and I need around 660-670 in the actual exam. My Quant score has been consistent around 47-48 but I have heard that in the actual exam, the quant section is actually tricky compared to mocks.

My verbal score is fluctuating a lot. Sometimes I score 36-37, other times it drops to 28-29.

I have a week left for my exam and I still have one more official mock to take.

What should be my overall strategy for this coming week? Should I practice more verbal questions, or should I focus more on Quant since in the actual exam it's going to be tricky?

I have been preparing for 3 months.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Avi, I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Avi077.

How have you prepared for GMAT quant and verbal so far?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Here's a 45-list you can use to quickly brush up your idioms during this last week . You may want to also leverage your error-log to focus on those parts you are slippery on. If your RC is strong, for example, focusing on CR may be a better use of your time. If you dive deeper and realize you have a near perfect accuracy on Boldfaced questions, you could instead focus on Assumption questions which you may notice you have some trouble with.

KarishmaB · Answer

Practice both Quant and Verbal in this week. Don't start any new course/material etc. Stick to what you have been working on and practice some questions of each type every day. If you identify a weakness, work on that. Your target score isn't very far from your practice score so all you need is a good day. 
Relax on 31st and 1st.

Avi077 · Answer

I took offlines classes from Jamboree. I also practiced questions from official guide and did practice tests for each quant and verbal apart from offical mocks.

Posted from my mobile device

Avi077 · Answer

I analaysed my regular mistakes and found that I have been unable to solve 700+ inference and fill the gaps questions.So for now i have started solving tough inference questions from gmat club.

I am more worried about Quant. What is the difficulty level as compared to offical mocks?

Posted from my mobile device

Avi077 · Answer

Thanks for the advice!

My weak topics for quant are coordinate geometry and probability. So I have planned to go through the concepts and practice a few questions related to that. I have an official mock left which I am planning to take in the last week. Apart from that in this week, would you recommend to take an unofficial practice exam to practice verbal questions. I have Jamboree practice exams in which the verbal questions are mainly of medium and difficult level. So will that help me prepare better for my exams keeping in mind the exam date?

Posted from my mobile device

egmat · Answer

Hi Avi077

I have recorded a video response to share my recommendations on your improvement plan. Here is the link:

Avi077 - Watch Video

Here is the summary for the video:

We need to figure out which areas (sub-sections) within Quant and Verbal are holding back your score.
Based on your abilities in different sub-sections, we need to identify the proper strategy for each subsection – whether we need to work on concepts or on cementing the skills already learnt.
With a clear awareness of your strong/weak areas, we can build the optimum plan to improve upon your weaknesses.

About your Quant plan – Typically, results from official mocks to actual test attempts range between a 10–20-point difference. So, if you’ve been consistently scoring 47-48 in official mocks, I don’t think Quant is a major concern for you then. Also, here is a webinar that will help you improve in Probability.

About your Verbal plan – A Score fluctuation as wide as V28 to V36-37 simply means that there are some gaps in your preparation. In attempts that you scored well, you must not have faced a lot of questions dealing with your weaknesses. However, in the attempts where you underperformed, more of those questions might have appeared. So, if these gaps are plugged, we could we drastic improvements, even in a matter of just 3 to 4 days. For instance, if SC is an area of concern, learning the Meaning-based approach can help you make huge strides in SC in a matter of hours. Learning such core skills could make all the difference to your performance on test day. Approaching the exam this way with a proper plan is far more beneficial than merely practicing questions and exhausting mocks.

Next Steps-
Please take a free SIGma-X mock, which will provide you with an ESR analysis. Here is the link. Doing so will not only give you a much-detailed analysis, but it will also allow you to preserve your final Official Mock for the right time.
You can share your results via a PM or by dropping a mail at [email protected] so that we can help you analyze your mock results.

Some motivation for you –
Raunak improved from a V30 to V42 in 14 days.

Hope this helps!

-Vaibhav

KarishmaB · Answer

Practice only official verbal questions into the last week of your exam. If you know the basics of probability, you needn't worry too much about it. As long as you can solve easy questions of probability, it is fine since there is not much time left. Focus on reviewing number properties, algebra and geometry.
Take the official practice test as soon as you can. I suggest not to take any full length test in the last week of prep.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

To improve your quant skills, you may find it helpful to engage in topical quant practice.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi  Avi077

Here's a helpful video where Saquib Hasnain, GMAT Expert, shares his in depth analysis of GMAT Quant Section from his test experience along with his top observations on majorly tested GMAT concepts: 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwxnO6BoI-4

I have shared the link to some important last minute tips from my experience. You may find it helpful:
    3 last minute tips for GMAT – How I scored 740 in first attempt?     
All the very best!

selberenova · Answer

It's natural to feel underconfident before a big exam like the GMAT, especially if you have been scoring lower on practice tests than your target score. However, it's important to remember that practice tests are just that - practice - and your performance on them is not necessarily indicative of how you will do on the actual exam.

With a week left before your exam, it's important to focus on building your confidence and reviewing the material you have studied so far. Here are a few strategies you can try:

1. Review the areas where you have struggled on practice tests. Make sure you understand the concepts and strategies being tested in these areas and practice applying them to different types of questions.

2. Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions to get a sense of how you perform under exam-like conditions. This can help you identify any weaknesses and areas where you need to focus your studies.

3. Practice pacing yourself on the GMAT. The GMAT has a time limit for each section, so it's important to manage your time effectively. Practice timing yourself on practice questions and try to complete each question within the allotted time.

4. Make a study plan for the week leading up to the exam and stick to it. Set aside dedicated time for studying each day and focus on reviewing the material you have studied so far.

5. Remember to take breaks and take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough rest and eat well in the days leading up to the exam. It's also a good idea to do some light exercise or relaxation techniques to help manage stress and improve focus.

I hope these suggestions are helpful and good luck on your exam!

Avi077 · Answer

Hi guys
It's finally over! 
Got 680 (Q48 V34)
Thanks for all the last minute advices. It helped me a lot to shape my last week preparation.

Posted from my mobile device

VoxNihili · Answer

Congratulations on your score !

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi  Avi077

Congratulations! All the very best for future endeavors!

Feel free to reach out if you need any help with applications.

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