GMAT Plan Advice

Question

Hi All,

Long time lurker here..

I started my GMAT prep about a month and a half ago and was hoping to take the real thing Dec 17th. Unfortunately, I have not been improving as much as I would have liked.

The following is my performance to date:

GMATPrep 1: 620 (Q 43/V 32) -- initial benchmark with no prep
MGMAT 2: 680 (Q 47/ V 35)
Veritas Prep 1: 660 (Q 44/ V 39)
GMATPrep 1(2): 680 (Q 48/ V 35)
MGMAT 3: 660 (Q 40/ V 40)

I was hoping to have a lot more time to prep, but unfortunately I have been able to only look over material about twice a week and take about one practice test a week. Recently I have been focusing on Verbal quite a bit, particularly Sentence Correction as I seem to do quite well in CR and RC, but I feel that this has resulted in my drastic drop in Quant.

I am still scheduled to take the test next Sat. (Dec. 17th) but will likely postpone. I am aiming to get at least a 730 and have not been able to reach that mark yet. I would like to know if anyone has any advice on how I should go about planning to attack this thing for a tentative test date of late Jan/early Feb?

Thank you for all the help!

bb · Answer

Well..... spend more time studying?

Have you finished using whatever books/materials you had? What are you using to study? Your scores look a bit off (quite a bit of change from test to test). They jump around way too much - any ideas why that would be? Were you not serious when taking one of the tests? or distracted or taking it at midnight?

SebastianCobb · Answer

Thanks for the quick reply!

Actually, two of the tests I took on a train rides. Probably not the most ideal scenario.

I also have not nearly completed the amount of study material I have. It seems I got overly confident in Quant in the beginning and just started focusing on Sentence Correction only. I am happy with my improvement in Verbal on my last MGMAT, getting four 99% SC correct, but very disappointed in the drop in Quant.

Is there any strategy you recommend for working on both sections? Also, I know recommendations are to take the real thing even if you don't feel ready, but do you think I am making the right decision knowing that the probability of reaching my goal is unlikely?

bb · Answer

Yes, there is no way you will get 730 with those practice scores unless you were significantly disrupted during those evens, so no need to waste money. The suggestion to take when you are not ready is if you are within a 7 day window or less and would not get any $ back if you moved the appointment.

You can focus on both Q and V - which you probably should. There is no right/wrong way to study. Just faster and slower but it is really dependent on what you are used to and how your mind works.

It looks like your biggest issue is finding time and committing it to the GMAT. I would do just that during the holidays: gmatp-prep-and-the-holidays-124144.html

SebastianCobb · Answer

Thank you for the advice bb. I definitely agree that my biggest issue is not having time to commit to a structured study plan right now.

Do you have a recommendation on how far out I should reschedule the exam? I normally do pretty well on standardized tests and I actually enjoy the quant section (and some verbal). I feel that I just need to reinforce some core principles in each and get more practice in.

A brief background on myself.. 
Top 15 US University grad who was on Varsity Track team, did ROTC and was in a fraternal organization.
Military Officer for the last 3 years as a Helicopter pilot and now in the National Guard, still as a pilot and officer.
Currently working in consulting and just starting to become heavily involved with large non-profit organizations in key roles.

Unfortunately, my ugrad gpa is very low and I know that if I want a decent shot at any Top 15 program I will need to get a very high GMAT score in attempt to offset it.

Icec14 · Answer

Hello BB,

I've been looking for an opportunity to ask you a question and hope you can give me some advice. I will officially start studying for the gmat tomorrow and have about 4 months to do so. Today I took a practice MGMAT and got a 460 (Q26/V28). Horrid I know. This was without any previous studying. But I know I have a lot of weaknesses to improve upon. i have three questions:

What score can I realistically hope to achieve with four months studying? Of course I want a 700+, but is that unrealistic?

Also, where should I start? I have the Kaplan Premier 2011 thus far. I've read your 3 month study plan and book reviews, is there additional advice you can give me?

And Finally, for someone who is attempting to go from 460 to 700+, would it be worth it to pay for an expensive class? or self study?

Any assistance you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

SebastianCobb · Answer

Wanted to just make an update..

I postponed the test until Feb 4th and took much of the holiday off to give my brain a break.

Coming back from the break I scored the following:

GMATPrep1(3, but a month since last taken): 730 (Q 48/V 42)
MGMAT 4: 700 (Q 46/V 39)
MGMAT 5: 710 (Q 47/V 40)
GMATPrep2(1): 700 (Q 48/ V 38)
GMATPrep(2): 730 (Q 50/V 39)

I decided to go through with taking the test this Saturday. Was wondering if anyone has any last minute advice?

My goal is to try to get a 730.

Thanks!

aim730 · Answer

Best of luck first of all I will give you just one advice 
Rest well before Exam

tcepicnightwithgmat · Answer

Cobb,

I had a few friends who took the test recently, and best advice is to not study the day before the exam, possibly even two to three days of no study. Also, since you are taking it on Saturday, do not go to work Friday or stay out late. Heard a lot of feedback that taking it on Saturday is tiring after a long week of work, so try to just rest and relax the night before.

Also, wondering how you score so consistently on the practice GMAT tests, and what you did to combo both the math and verbal up, I saw that you were upping the verbal but the quant went down a bit.

Thanks,

TC

MSoS · Answer

Go for it! PrepTests look fine. Best luck!

SebastianCobb · Answer

Thanks for the support!

I ended up with a 710, (Q 46, V 41)

I was a little disappointed with the Quant, but very please with verbal. I think I started to get into my groove as the test went on. The verbal I was a little surprised by some of the questions types, saw some question formats I never saw in any practice CATs I took. I think I am satisfied enough with my score and will now start focusing on the rest of the application process, start building a story for my essays.

If anyone has any questions about the test, let me know. Also, I would greatly appreciate any advice/comments.

Thanks!

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