GMAT Plan for 35 Days till the D-Day (Oct 5, 2015)

Question

Hi Everybody,

I have decided to take my GMAT exam on the 5'th of October 2015.

With 35 days to go, I have chalked out a plan today on the GAME plan I should be using to cross the 700 barrier.

I have been studying for the GMAT for quite some time and have reasons to believe that I am aware of all the concepts tested on the GMAT and only difficulty now would be to prove that ability in the MOCK CATS.

To give a brief introduction to myself, I am a GMAT re-taker who failed miserably in his earlier attempt scoring a paltry 570. This time on, I am looking to score better.
I have close to 8.5 years of experience and come from the famous INDIAN MALE IT population.

Back to the Game plan,

a) Take MOCK CATS in intervals of 5-6 days. With this as the frequency, I would be able to roughly take up close to 7 CATS.
b) I have already taken a number of CATS and following have been my scores.

Please note that some of these mocks have been taken way back. This is because my interval of study has also been very long since my last GMAT.
I gave my last GMAT in December 2014 of last year and since then having been studying for GMAT off-on and with consistent preparing from June 2015.

Veritas CATS:

CAT 1 - April 26, 2015 - 590 (Q44, V28)
CAT 2 - May 03, 2015 - 610 (Q44, V30)
CAT 3 - May 10, 2015 - 580 (Q42, V28)
CAT 4 - July 4, 2015 - 620 (Q47, V29)
CAT 5 - August 16, 2015 - 570 (Q43, V26) ------> Quant Score predicted by Veritas was merciless. Got 8 incorrect overall (2, 9, 10, 17,18, 26,30,36)
CAT 6 - August 23, 2015 - 620 (Q44, V32) ------> Quant Score predicted by Veritas was merciless. Got 11 incorrect overall (4,5, 8,12,13, 15, 22,23,25, 27,33)

Manhattan CATS:

Manhattan CAT1 - 28-06-2015 - 630 (Q42,V34)
Manhattan CAT2 - 11-08-2015 - 690 (Q45,V38) ---- Saw 3 Verbal questions repeated.
Manhattan CAT3 - 14-08-2015 - 680 (Q47,V35) ---- Saw 3 Verbal questions repeated.
Manhattan CAT4 - 17-08-2015 - 640 (Q40,V37) ---- Saw 2 Verbal questions repeated.

Kaplan CATS:

Scored Q50, V34 - 690 ---> I feel the score was on the higher side as despite many mistakes on the Quant (close to 13) I scored a 50 which i think is not possible.

GMAT PREP 1 - 670 (Q50, V31)
GMAT PREP 2 - 650 -> Do not remember the split.

GMAT Exam Pack 1 - August 01, 2015 - 610 (Was highly tensed thinking I have to prove myself on the exam. Completely messed up the timing on Verbal. I have 25 mins left while I was on 19 Question).

I am left with 4 Kaplan CATS, 1 Veritas CAT, 2 Manhattan mocks and GMAT prep (Exam pack 4)

I have noticed that mostly the issue has been due the pressure of the exam rather than me not knowing the concepts.
I have almost always found the correct answer after reviewing the CATS.

I will keep updating this thread on how I am progressing for the next 35 days till the D-Day and will update the scores on every CAT that I intend to take in the next 35 days.

Tentative Dates for Upcoming CATS:
=======================

KAPLAN 2 - 05-SEP-2015
KAPLAN 3 - 09-SEP-2015
VERITAS 7 - 13-SEP-2015
KAPLAN 4 - 19-SEP-2015
Manhattan 5 - 23-SEP-2015
KAPLAN 5 - 27-SEP-2015

Finally on Oct 2, 2015 - GMAT PREP EXAM PACK 4

Oct 5, 2015 - Actual GMAT.

Request all for any pointers on how I should utilize this 1 month fruitfully so as to achieve my target score.

Regards,
Vijay

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi svijayaug12,

This seems like a lot of CATs, so I'm not sure if you'll benefit from only taking more. Your Manhattan, GMATPrep and Kaplan practice scores are very similar, which makes me think you've developed some test-taking habits that are keeping you in that range. Before you dive back into more CATs, I'd suggest combing through some of your more recent practice tests to identify clearer trends in your test-taking habits. You might find a certain question type either trips you up more than you realize, or takes you more time than others, which would help you narrow your focus over the next month.

Best,
Rich

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vijay,

Given the length of your studies, and your CAT results, you have likely developed a number of 'bad habits' that will take some time to fix. Taking lots of CATs is NOT going to be the solution to your situation - you'll likely just end up wasting all of those CATs (and scoring in the same general 'range' as you have been scoring in).

I have some questions about your studies (especially anything that you've done in the last 3 months):

1) What materials have you been using?

2) When was the last time that you took a completely NEW CAT (without seeing ANY repeat questions)?
3) How did you score on that CAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
4) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?

5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

The score improvement that you're looking for will come once you use a consistent set of tactics and limit the number of silly/little mistakes that you make. Thankfully, since the GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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

svijayaug12 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Please find my answers inline.

Vijay

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vijay,

If you've skipped the Essay portion of all of these CATs, then your Overall scores are likely ALL 'inflated' (since you took a 'shorter' Test, you didn't have to deal with the common fatigue and endurance challenges that you will face on the Official GMAT). Thus, it's likely that you have a false sense of your own skills (and what you think you need to work on is probably not a complete and accurate assessment).

We really need to see how you perform on a FULL CAT that 'matches up' with your scheduled Test Date in as many ways as is reasonably possible. As such, you should plan to take a new FULL-LENGTH CAT (with ALL sections) sometime soon, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, away from your home, under test-like conditions, etc. THAT score result is exceptionally important - it will help to determine how you should spend the next month and whether you should push back your Test Date or not. Once you have that set of scores, you should report back here.

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey Vijay Sounds like you took several practice tests but are still not getting the score you want. At this point, I would recommend that you focus more on review --- rather than on taking on additional tests. For questions that you have seen before --- would you be able to answer them quickly with 100% accuracy? If not, then there is work to be done in terms of actually making improvement and learning from your mistakes. With one month left, here is a customized one month study plan that can help boost your score: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... study-plan Use this as a guideline. You don’t have to follow it exactly but the structure of the study plan should be the same structure that you take in your approach. This helps to optimize your retention and learning. As you study, we recommend that you focus on one particular subsection for multiple consecutive days before moving onto the next. You can see this in our study plan where we recommend 5 days on nothing but SC -- before moving onto CR and then RC. Here is a sample SC video to help you start your journey: https://www.gmatpill.com/sentencecorrect ... ythons.mp4 Best of luck- we are here to help.

svijayaug12 · Answer

Hi All,

Update on my preparation and MOCK CATS progress:

I have 2 MOCK CATS in the last week.

One on 10'th Sep, 2015. Gave a kaplan test and scored a 690. (Do not remember the split)

Today I have the 5'th Manhattan CAT and scored a 670 with a split of Q46 and V35.

Hoping that I continue to score in the same range in the upcoming CATS. I have heard the Quant on the Manhattan is tougher than the actual GMAT exam and hoping that a Q46 would translate to a Q48 atleast.

Vijay

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vijay,

These scores seem to show that you've made some slight improvements overall (but they are both 'in the range' of the your prior CATs, which means that you're still dealing your CATs in the same general way).

I have a few questions (and some notes) about these CATs:

1) Did you take the FULL CAT each time?
2) Since you had seen some repeat questions on your prior MGMAT CATs, did you see any repeat questions on THIS CAT?

3) Taking more than 1 CAT per week is NOT a good idea; you should plan to decrease that frequency (to 1 realistic, FULL-LENGTH CAT per week).
4) The Scaled Scores that you earn on each CAT are very important (from an information standpoint), so you should make sure to include those scores with each CAT you discuss.

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

svijayaug12 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Please find my answers below:

a) I have taken the full length CATs including the AWA and IR section for both kaplan and MGMAT.

b) I did not see a single repeat question on this test and that has been a great relief to me. As even a single question that got repeated used to lurk in my mind and I was always unsure of my score.
This is the second test on Manhattan where I have not seen a single repeat question. The other one was the first test in which I scored a 630.

c) Ok. Actually my intention was that since in my earlier CATS, I had not given the IR and AWA sections, It would be good to practice atleast 4-5 CATS giving the full length MOCK CATS before appearing for the final test.

d) what is the meaning of scaled scores? Is it the split in Quant and Verbal?

Also Rich, I have a couple of questions.

Since, my GMAT is exactly 3 weeks away from today, what do you suggest is the best way to utilize these 3 weeks?
How should I plan my daily study hours?

Should I revise the MOCK CATS that I have attempted till today?
Should I be solving problems ?
Should I be looking at revising the theory?

Please help me with last 21 days plan so that there is maximum retention before appearing for the final exam?

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