Get Over the 700 Hump GMAT Study Plan Improvement: 50 points Concept: you are at 670 or above and want to get the magic 700+ score Recommended for: Top 10 applicants, GMAT score junkies and perfectionists Minimum GMATPrep Score: 650 Study Time: 1-2 months Other Study Plans: Study Plan for those who are just starting out Ultimate Verbal Study Plan GMAT Pill 1 Month Study Plan Before we start this Study Plan, I would like to point out that the average GMAT score is 550 and as a 650+ scorer, you have alredy reached an above-average result. If you want to improve it and go beyond 700, several options are available to you but none are quick and easy. This plan assumes that you are very familiar with the test and have gone through a number of prep books. This plan is not for newbies or those looking to start their prep Fresh. First let's take a look at the root of the problem - reasons for getting stuck at below the 700 level: Gaps in fundametals of math, grammar and logic, English language profficiency, often resulting in unbalanced score Poor timing/test taking skills Lack of knowledge of advanced topics Study Plan Option 1: Self Prep General Strategy: Chances are, you have probably gone through a lot of test prep material and may have covered all the staples of GMAT Prep books . (If not, definitely familiarize yourself with those). Before we even start - make sure you use an Error Log - it is a tool that is indispensable and must be used! The concept is that you keep track of all mistakes (or possibly all questions) that you have covered. BUT, you are not just keeping track of these questions, you are also printing them out, or copying, or marking them and come back later on to attempt them again. A good approach is to cover the entire book/test/section before coming back to the questions you have either missed or guessed - remember that for a 700+ score, there is no guessing and if you were lucky on your home test, you may not be at the test center. If your timing is poor, there are several recommendations to improve timing on the GMAT: GMAT Timer by Walker - it allows you to time yourself while working on practice questions while keeping track of your answers and mistakes - truly unique tool. GMAT timing strategies: https://gmatclub.com/forum/timing-strate ... 80176.html Quant Section: If you are continuing to miss arithmetic questions or are plagued with silly mistakes - perhas a good review of basics will help. Until recently there has not been a good math review book really, but today 2 options are available that could be covered within a few days: 1. Kaplan Math Foundations - this book starts out very basic but you can always skip the first few sections and find your level. 2. Kaplan Math Workbook - good practice as well but assumes a certain level of proficiency If you feel that you need a good coverage of advanced topics such as Probability, Combinations, etc you can also get either of the two recommendations above - both cover them. Another alternative is to look into Jeff Sackman's Math Prep PDF - there have been positive comments about this document but it is pricey. However, most test takers at this stage can improve their score via question practice. For tests, the best recommendation is the GMAT Club tests which are specifically designed to go from 45 to 50+ quant score. They are free if you have 200 posts on the forum or you can also buy access to 1000+ questions for $79. You can read a number of testimonials of 700+ scorers here . To diagnose your exact math skill level by topic by difficulty, you can take Math Revolution’s comprehensive Diagnostic test (Free) . For tougher questions - such as overlapping sets, probability and combinations - make sure that you understand how to solve these questions and you can actually solve them in 2 minutes. If you can't - follow this approach: memorize an example from a GMAT Book. Memorize the exact words for the problem, the exact solution, solution and the final answer. Then, when you encounter these questions, write out the memorized problem and solution from memory and use that model to plug the numbers in. Many Math questions are very much template driven, and this approach works great and you will never have to use your energy to solve them. If you want to learn the unique approaches of solving math questions with big time-saving techniques, you may try Math Revolution (starting at $69) . Other Optional Materials: Kaplan Advanced - has some good 600-700 level questions Math Revolution - has dedicated 700+ level questions (Q50-51 level) Princeton Review 1012 - has a good compilation of categorized GMAT questions - use your error log to determine which questions to practice - don't waste time on all of them Verbal Section: For the verbal section there are the usual suspects - MGMAT CR/PowerScore CR, MGMAT SC/PowerScore SC, and MGMAT RC. If you have not used these books - do get one for each section. Both Manhattan GMAT and PowerScore are good books to use. There are several plans of attack for Verbal and you need to make sure you have one. When you go in to take the test, you must know exactly how you plan to answer each question type, how much time you can afford to spend on each, and when it is time to move on. My personal strategy was to spend 45 seconds on SC's (read question once, identify the problem, phrase it in my mind, and find the correct answer that matched the one I made up). Usually I could hit these in 30-45 seconds and in 20% of cases needed as much as a minute and a half. I would spend 1:30 on each CR question. I could crack half of them in 30-45 seconds but the other half took closer to 2 minutes, so it was averaging about 1:30. All of this was building up towards the section I had the most problems with - reading comprehension. I knew that I needed 45 x 15 for SC's, 1:30 x 14 for CR's and that left 40 minutes for RC, which meant I could spend 10 minutes per passage. I would read the passage very carefully and spend probably 5-6 minutes doing and not feeling rushed as I knew I could read any passage in that period of time. After finishing the text, I knew I had 1 minute for each question so I did not need to rush either. On the Verbal, I did not really keep track of the clock when moving from question to question, but I would note the time when I start the RC passage and made sure I did not go over the alotted time by the end. Again - use your error log for the verbal section. If you are struggling with a particular section - attac that section. Here are suggestions for each: Critical Reasoning: The only way to get good in CR is to use one of the MGMAT CR or Powerscore CR guidebooks if you have gone through them and still feel weak - get PR 1012 book - it organizes questions in topical format and great for practicing Assumption or Weaken questions - make sure you note any question that you miss or guessed. These are your own personal "Hard Question" collection. Also, if you are an international student and encounter a word you don't know in a CR question - make sure you write it down and learn it. Reading Comprehension: One of the hardest areas to overcome for many international students. Usually the weakness comes from very scientific or specialized texts that use rare words many international students never encountered. There is no easy solution to this unfortunately except to train your ear reading harder and more stimulating literature than found today on the web. Some recommend reading The Economist or Scientific articles. My recommendation is actually the opposite of that - read interesting fiction that will keep your attention and will motivate you to read as much as possible (rather than boring you with some biology). I call it GMAT Fiction - a compilation of interesting books that have great stimulating language and good grammar. See my post on GMAT Fiction about the advantages of reading a few thousand pages before taking GMAT. Sentence Correction: If you are weak in English grammar, there are a few things you can do to improve - 1) Get a good grammar book. i can recommend either Kaplan Verbal Foundations (pretty good but not as complete as I would like it to be) or the Doing Grammar book that has been recommended by a few high verbal scorers. 2) Read a lot - by reading you will start to train your ear to pick up something a grammar book cannot teach you - style. Style questions are the harder verbal questions on the GMAT and the easiest way to pick them out is to train your ear reading good quality English Fiction - take a look at my GMAT Fiction recommendations or feel free to pick out your own. Option 2: Class/Tutoring Enroll with a test-prep company that guarantees XX point improvement or provides money back. The only two I know that do that is Knewton and GMAT Pill (50 point improvement or money back - doublecheck it though) Both are online, so you can take it from any location, at your own pace and schedule. If you score higher than 700 - you got what you wanted. If you don't, at least you don't have to pay for it, so you "win" both ways. There is a 7-day trial, so recommend you give it a shot either way. (To learn more about Knewton and see what other GMAT club members had to say about the class, see this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/knewton-live- ... 85519.html . For more information about GMAT Pill's method, visit this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-pill-dis ... 10700.html ). This is the recommended path for those who took gmat twice and still have not gotten to their target score - save your time and effort - take a class - probably a better experience overall at this point.

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GMAT Study Plan: go from 650 to 700+

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sev17

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29 Mar 2010, 19:31

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Hey BB,
I took my GMAT about 3 months ago, scored a 650 (Q42, V38), and got into my school of choice (high gpa 3.9+). But now I have the opportunity to retake the GMAT and receive about twice the scholarhip if I score 700+.
I have 2 months to take my GMAT and I'm not sure whether to study on my own following one of the guides on GMATClub or enroll in the knewton online class.
The first time I took the GMAT I read 1 book (Kaplan Advanced) and had only 2 weeks of study (GMAC test and M-GMAT tests). I feel as though there is still a lot of material I can study on my own. Any thoughts?

tingle15

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18 Apr 2010, 00:50

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Hi bb,

I took my GMAT exam somewhere in October '09 and was very disappointed with my score (620). I attribute some of it to the stress/pressure that I had developed because of the thought of the test and some of it to the way I did my preparation. I wasn't really sure of my problem areas and I didn't know the appropriate material that I could use for the prep. I started with the Official Guide (12th ed) and just finished it in a month and then I did some questions from the 1000 series. I took the prep tests and scored around 650 in the first 2 attempts and 700/710 in the next two attempts. But I wasn't really convinced with my prep.
I wish to start my prep again and wish my preparation strategy could be lot more streamlined. I did read your post but I am unable to identify it with myself. First and foremost I am unable to gauge my problem areas but RC for sure is one of them. Next I don't really know what material to go through this time around and how to plan my preparation.

I am really looking forward to some help from you.

Thanks in Advance...Tingle

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18 Apr 2010, 08:24

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tingle15

Welcome to GMAT Club!
It is not uncommon to not have a clear weakness/issue to address.
Based on what I am hearing you actually did not use any textbooks per se just did a bunch of questions and took the test - that's an issue. What if you were preparing for a medical exam - would you just practice on a bunch of dummies and then take the test without the knowledge of how everything relates, operates, and does? Probably not - same here - you need to refresh/learn arithmetic, word problems, grammar, logic, etc - you need to build a strong framework in math and grammar and then move on to the strategy stage where you learn how to approach questions in time conditions, polish your reading strategy, learn to double-check answers, take full length tests, etc.

So, if you want a 700+ score, my suggestion would be to get the MGMAT Guides and go through them in 2 months and take the test after that.

tingle15

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19 Apr 2010, 06:21

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Hi bb,

As for my preparation the first time, I referred to the Manhattan guide for sentence correction. I did only first 2 chapters of Manhattan CR guide. However I did not refer any book for RC. As far as maths is concerned, I somehow found that the actual questions were a little tougher than the ones in the official guide. I faced a major problem with the Data Sufficiency questions.

For now, I have started going through the Kaplan Premier program and I keep browsing through the forums here for more reading material. Should I supplement the material with MGMAT Guides or will this do.

And what should I refer for Maths Section. I am comfortable with the basics.

Thanks in Advance...Tingle

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27 Apr 2010, 03:28

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hi,
I did my GMATPrep today without any prep (well I read the instructions).
Scored 650 (Q44, V36). So I want to do the gmat in 20 days (I know it always says 3 to 4 months, but i just wanna try). The good news, I have nothing else to do in during the next 20 days. So all my attention each day is focused on Gmat.
How should I alter my study plan/what should I do differently from all of those preparing 3 to 4 months but part time? (oh, I wanna score in the range of 700+)
A side note: English is not my first language, nor am I living in an english speaking country (guess it explains the low verbal score)> does this fact lead to any further differentations in my preparation?

greetings

vannbj

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13 May 2010, 13:36

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Thank you BB for this plan. I needed it since I'm am at 660 with a month to go. Error log's are depressing but guess they're necessary.

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18 May 2010, 07:39

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I have been studying for sometime now [since last October]

My materials:

EZ Solutions, Quant
CR PowerScore Bible
OG stuff

First diagnostic test 360
1st GMAT test 400
2nd GMAT test 440

p.s. I got a 110 on my TOEFL...I don't know why I can't solve right on the Verbal!

Problem:
I think I panic when I am in the exam...I just feel I won't get the questions right...also, my pacing on the Quant sucks!

My next, and final GMAT appointment, is on the 1st of July...

Any help?

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14 Jun 2010, 13:13

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I have taken the GMAT twice and have scored 650 and 660 respectively. I scored in the 85th and 90th percentile in verbal but have scored poorly in the math section. I have scored decently well in practice math exams (620-660 - MGMAT) but seem to falter when taking the actual test. I am really looking to get over the 700 mark. I am willing to give the test one more try. Any one have any advice? Feel free to message me or reply to this post. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

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22 Jun 2010, 09:58

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This is my second attempt. Hopefully this method will help me score higher this time!

cchilakapati

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30 Jun 2010, 23:31

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how to reach 650 first is there any other discussion for that
please guide

farukhawais

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04 Jul 2010, 23:56

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Dear BB,

I need some advice. I am planning to make a reasonable investment by buying couple of GMAT books. I want to do this intelligently. I am looking for a score of 750.

Should I go for:

Set-1:
Kaplan Math Foundations
Kaplan Math Workbook
Kaplan Advanced
PR 1012

or

Set-2:
MGMAT 5 Maths Strategies Books
PR 1012

Likewise, if you think that I need to change the sets contents please let me know. It would be great if you can in-fact recommend one "SUPER SET" of quant books.

Regards
Farukh

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05 Jul 2010, 02:28

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Hello BB,

I have a question for you please. I am planning to make a decent amount of investment to buy GMAT books. I am planning to buy either 1 of the following 2 sets:

Set-1
Kaplan Math Foundations
Kaplan Math Workbook
Kaplan Advanced
PR 1012

Set-2
MGMAT 5 Maths Strategies Books
Kaplan Advanced
PR 1012

Please advise that which set do you recommend. I would also really appreciate if you can send me your own set in case you have a different advice.

thanks

raajpagare

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14 Jul 2010, 16:51

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Thanks for this thread! I am just starting my GMAT prep and this gives me a template to create my own structure.

CheriInfinite

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24 Jul 2010, 07:01

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Thanks for suggesting Knewton's 7 day program
as my scores range between 600 to 650.. i can definitely think about taking it..
:-D

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26 Jul 2010, 03:38

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Hi all,

I am giving my GMAT in September. I am done with OG 11 and 12. I gave a couple of tests - GMAT prep one of them and I got a disappointing 650 - 47 + 31.....I committed 12 errors in Quants and 17 in verbal. In verbal I faulted in SC - got 9 of the SCs wrong. I just browsed through the Manhattan SC a week back.
I need ur help in assessing my scores - what should I do to improve my SC and also my Math score - I think 47 is way too less!

Regards,
Shyam

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26 Jul 2010, 08:47

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For SC you need to get a solid understanding of grammar and start reading books - see this discussion: GMAT Fiction

For Math, would suggest a few things: MGMAT Number Properties and MGMAT Word Translations if you have covered them. You can also try GMAT Club tests - they have very hard questions.

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26 Jul 2010, 09:07

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Thanks a lot BB, I think I would follow what u just said!

cchilakapati

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06 Aug 2010, 04:30

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HI
Reached 690 in GMATPrep.
my scores are :
29th June PR1 -570 (44,25)
18th July PR2-600(43,30)
25th July PR3-590(48,23)

MGMAT1-640
GMAT PREP1- 690.
Taking actual GMAT on 15th Sep. Targeting 720 ( I need it for ISB as AVG is 716) .
last 5 weeks any inputs , i would be greatful to them.

cchilakapati

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06 Aug 2010, 07:53

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29th July MGMAT1 640(43,35)
1st Aug GMAT Prep1 690(49,34).

I request you to guide me to acheive my target.
i have 5 weeks to go.

cchilakapati

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08 Aug 2010, 22:18

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Actual Date is 16th Sep not 15th.
it will be great , if any plan is given to be followed.
I did not touch any kaplan material till now,
i am following MGMAT guides and Power Score books along with OG 12 and OG verbal 2nd edition.
I am always in tension of getting a good score or not, i am unable to wait till 16th sep to write the exam. I am working so daily i get max 2 hours to study. planning for leave just before a week of GMAT. i am totally confused, i have almost all tht top 20 books listed in GMAT club (except princeton 1012 and kaplan verbal and math foundations). i could not read all of them, i dont think i have time to read them. I have around 4 weeks , i dnot know what books to concentrate on, what tests to take. i am totally confused, the very idea that i need a very good score is making me tensed. i am not able to concentrate on any thing except GMAT. i feel like , i am being chased by someone (GMAT) and i am in a hurry in all the activities. i am not able to sleep properly, i am exhausted but not able to sleep. i need to keep my cool, but i am not able to do so. TOTALLY CONFUSED.......................................... WAITING TO FINISH THE GMAT SOME HOW WITH GOOD SCORE.some one please guide me how to utilise this last 4weeks effectivcely to acheive good scores.

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