GMAT Official Practice Test 1 Score - 660. Aiming for 750+

Question

Hi,
I took the official GMAT Practice test 1 and the score is 660.
IR - 7 81%ile.
Quant - 44 52%ile
Verbal - 35 76%ile.

Learnt Maths till High School. Haven't prepared for GMAT yet.
I know for sure I have major problems with Geometry and Probability questions specifically. I need to learn their fundamentals.
Do you think I have a realistic shot at achieving 750+ in 2 months of prep?
Should I start from Manhattan fundamentals and then go through all 9 books and should I take some other route? I can put in 4-6 hours every day.

Arjun966 · Answer

Getting 660 in official mock without preparing! That just thrilled me to pieces! At this initial stage, the score is too good! Usually before starting GMAT Prep, people take a diagnostic test but you took an official mock....amazing!! You just need to prepare a bit more, probably focus more on fundamentals and practice more 700 level questions, your score will definitely go above 740 for sure!

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

mbaagr · Answer

Hi, Thanks for the advice.
I quite like quant questions, find them very engaging. I actually did not know that there are diagnostic tests. I will try them too. So I should probably not read the Manhattan fundamentals book, end to end, right? I am a lot pressed for time and as I understand, one needs a lot of time for the Manhattan books but they are really the best for a high score.

Arjun966 · Answer

Indeed! Manhattan books are the best books to start with for beginners.... mostly to get a good grasp at fundamentals! After that you can practice from GMAT Club. If you are good at Quant, you should probably start focussing more on verbal. There are endless number of questions, quizzes, explanations here! There's a forum for everything you need from GMAT to applying for MBA.

However it seems like you would be applying for Round 2 (Round 1 deadline is very near...less than 2 months) for which you can prepare for 2-3 months...this much is the time which is usually required to score really well on GMAT (it might take less too, there are exceptions to all)

Good luck!

Posted from my mobile device

mbaagr · Answer

Thank you. Yes, I will be applying to Round 2. No time left for Round 1.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dentalmba123,

A 660 is a fantastic initial CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years) - so you are likely a naturally strong critical-thinker - which is great! Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you limit your studies to just 2 months, then there might be a limit to how much you can improve on this initial result. As an aside, the 750+ score is approximately the 98th percentile - meaning that most GMATers clearly never score that high on the Official Exam. Thankfully, NO Business School actually requires that you score that high - so it's important to realize that the score that you "want" and the score that you "need" to get into your first-choice School are not the same thing. There's no harm in making that your Score Goal, but you're going to have to hone some specific Quant and Verbal skills to achieve it.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on your timeline and your goals:

1) What study materials - if any - do you currently have access to? have you used so far?
2) Is this the first time you have taken the 1st Official practice CAT/mock?
3) Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
4) 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

mbaagr · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for taking out the time to reply to me. It means a lot.
I am aiming that high because I am in India and the GMAT scores tend to be higher for the school I am targeting ( Avg 720 ). So I preferably want 30-40 more than avg scores to maybe balance out a maybe avg / non-traditional background.

1) Manhattan Old Version and New Condensed version. Just started reading the fundamentals of quant and Roadmap. I am not averse to buying any other materials, if necessary.
2) This is the 1st Official practice CAT/mock. I have had solved a few questions here and there before that, so I had an idea what type of questions will be there.
3) I am planning to take it at a test facility. Is one of them more advantageous?
4) Round 2 is in December, so I am planning to apply by November. 
I am targeting Indian School of Business.

MathRevolution · Answer

Hello dentalmba123,

A score of 660 in the very first GMAT mock test is decent and it tells the entire story about how well prepared you are for the GMAT official test and how to change the gear now to meet the target score of 750+in reality.

It's great to hear that you know your weak areas in Quant and are ready to work on them.

You can schedule a free counseling session for 20 mins with one of our experts: https://calendly.com/mathrevolution/1-on-1-session for 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 especially on hard-level questions while stably hitting middle-level questions.
• Lack of many updated questions and practice in the recent exam trend
• Not well aligned with time to solve questions.

Since we are a math expert, we will recommend you go through our post on the GMAT club: Breakdown of GMAT math questions and types: https://gmatclub.com/forum/overview-of- ... l#p1641411

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.

The day regular mock tests show the consistent score of Q48+ with V37+, then it 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 therefore, 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 info@mathrevolution.com

Success is within your reach.
Good luck!

Math Revolution Team

mbaagr · Answer

Hi Math Revolution Team,
Thank you for the advice. So mainly I need more practice, time management, and fundamentals in the areas I am weak in. I will definitely schedule an appointment. Thank you again.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

The percentages may not show it, but you'd probably want a V40+ to go with your Quant to hit a 750+. All the best with your prep!

mbaagr · Answer

So I should focus more on strengthening my verbal. Should I use Manhattan or is it too vast for the limited time?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Probably fair to say for a 750+ score, you need to be good at everything. Improving the Verbal helps take edge off the Quant. Sent you a PM.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dentalmba123,

Since you are interested in at least one highly-competitive Program, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

With a Score Goal of 750+, you will have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Since you're not planning to apply until November/December, you don't technically need to 'limit' your studies to just 2 months just yet - we can ultimately make that call later on (once you've put in some study time and we have a few additional CAT/mock results to use as reference). A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. As such, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week. Since you have some study materials already, I suggest that you study as you choose for the next 1-2 weeks, then take a NEW FULL-LENGTH CAT. 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 adjust your studies going forward.

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

mbaagr · Answer

Thank you for such detailed advice.
I am keeping a target of 2 months because after GMAT I will need 1-2 for applications. But yeah, I could go on for 1-2 weeks more.
I will do that. Read up and practice in the areas I am weak at. And then test after 2 weeks and post here.
Should I go with Manhattan or is it too vast? If it's too vast, what other material would you suggest?

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi dentalmba123,

660 is a great start! I do think that you have a shot of hitting 750; however, doing so in just 2 months may be a bit tight. In any case, if you want some additional advice on how to improve your GMAT quant and verbal skills, here is a helpful article:

How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dentalmba123,

From the information that you have provided so far, it sounded as though you had a specific list of subjects that you were planning to work on (using the materials that you already have). For the next 1-2 weeks, that's a reasonable plan - and it will help to define whether your current materials (and your way of studying) will be effective enough in helping you to improve. If you would rather bypass that approach and go straight to a formal, organized Study Plan, then I'll be happy to offer some suggestions.

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

mbaagr · Answer

Thank you for the advice. I read the article, very informative and helpful.
I am going forward exactly like that. I am first quickly learning the fundamentals and then will move on to strategy guides.

Posted from my mobile device

mbaagr · Answer

Hi,
I am not will versed in a few topics, but I think a structured study plan would be better.
Please recommend.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dentalmba123,

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

My pleasure!

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

GMAT Official Practice Test 1 Score - 660. Aiming for 750+

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards