Help needed: GMAT study strategy

Question

After working through the Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus book for the past two weeks (approximately two hours per weeknight plus the Kaplan diagnostic test last Saturday) I took the GMAT official practice exam this morning.  I scored a 700 (Q 46, V 41, IR 8).  I am now trying to determine what the best approach for the remainder of my study period would be, and I hope GMAT Club can help. My test is schedule for January 4, 2023.

I am planning to attend an MBA program to pivot into NYC investment banking. Therefore, based on employment reports and Menlo's 2020 IB placement report I am targeting Cornell Johnson, Darden, and Fuqua with CBS and Booth as my reaches. In order to compensate for my low undergraduate GPA (3.0), tired work experience (public accounting), and membership in an over-represented demographic (white male),  I have set my sights on a 750+  to distinguish myself for admissions committees.

I would like to improve my overall score by 50 points, and considering I am a native English speaker and have a non-STEM background I assume the easiest gains would come in the verbal section. However, I have two concerns about this:
 1. Is anyone aware if top schools have "cut-off lines", and would a Q 46 be too low for an admissions committee to even consider my application?
2. Considering I am targeting an industry where quantitative skills come into play, would a Q 46 be too low for a BB or EB to consider hiring me?

Depending on your opinion - i.e., focus on verbal, focus on quant, or give both verbal and quant equal attention - will working through the Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus book and the OG guides be sufficient, or should I consider another resource such as the MGMAT guides or an online test prep. service?

P.S. I am planning to apply to business schools next fall (2023) so I have some time to address the work experience weakness. I am planning on transferring to my firm's Corporate Finance division which focuses on M&A. I hope this will make me more attractive to top schools and to prospective employers. However, I still think a very strong GMAT is necessary to compensate for my GPA.

P.P.S. My GPA is from a Canadian University, so American business schools would not include my GPA in their class profile calculations. I am not sure if that makes a difference from an admissions perspective.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi haighter.

Q46 won't exactly knock you out of the running, but it's a little on the low side for your target schools. So, you should definitely work on increasing your quant score, and since you're looking to make up for your low GPA, ideally, you'd increase your quant score to Q49+. By the way, with Q50 and a small increase in your verbal score, you'd be at 760+.

To increase your scores, you'll need to master one topic at a time, and effective practice will be a key aspect of your success formula. So, I recommend reading the following post to learn how to train for the GMAT for best results.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi haighter,

In addition to Marty's advice, here is a helpful article for you:

The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

pintukr · Answer

Attempt questions using Forum Quiz. A well-compiled resource of an endless Question databank of various difficulty levels with useful explanations.

haighter · Answer

MartyTargetTestPrep   ScottTargetTestPrep

Thank you both for your replies. I have heard nothing but good things about TTP's program, so if my self-study route is unfruitful I will certainly consider TTP.

However, considering that I prefer the self-study route, is it feasible to achieve a 3 or 4 point quantitative gain by drilling OG practice questions or is it more likely I have some foundational weaknesses that need to be addressed?

I currently have access to the following resources:
 - Kaplan Prep Plus
- GMAT OG, Verbal Review, and Quant Review
- All six GMAC practice tests
- Six Kaplan tests
- The GMAT Club PDF math textbook

In your opinions, will working through these resources enable me to realize the type of gains I require? Or should I consider additional resources? Some other resources I have heard good things about include the MGMAT strategy guides and the GMAT Club quantitative quizzes.

haighter · Answer

pintukr

My understanding is that the GMAT Club tests are original questions written by GMAT Club, while the forum quizzes are a compilation of questions asked and answered on the forum including official GMAC questions. If I am correct, will working through the OG and Quantitative Review not expose me to the same questions as the forum quizzes? If I am incorrect, please tell me where I am mistaken

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

It's tough to answer that question from the outside.

Your move is to analyze your missed questions. If you are missing questions only because of execution issues, then you may be able to achieve your score increase just by drilling OG questions. If you have knowledge gaps, then you'll likely need to use some other resources in order to achieve your score goal in a reasonable period of time.

That said, given that you are 3 to 4 points below your target quant score, it's likely that you have knowledge gaps that you won't likely address effectively just by drilling OG questions.

Regarding those other resources, I'm not really familiar with them, and I don't know exactly you need to learn in order to achieve your score goal. So, I don't have a basis for determining whether they would be sufficient for accomplishing what you want to accomplish.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi haighter, 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

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

I scored a 700 (Q 46, V 41, IR 8).
set my sights on a 750+

For Verbal, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit. Had a 6-hour student go from a V41 to a V45 in about 10 days (retake), for example. Perhaps find a study buddy with strong verbal skills.

All the best.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  haighter ,

Self-study is a valid option. Give it a shot, even if you can't be sure right now whether you'll want or need additional resources later.

Kushchokhani · Answer

Hi  haighter 
Yes you are correct in your understanding about GC Tests and Forum Quiz.

While GC Test ques are written by experts at GC, Forum Quiz ques are from a variety of sources. Please refer  this link  for the list of available sources.

If you have already worked through the OG and Quantitative Review of any particular year, accessing Forum Quiz may overlap few ques. But forum quiz ques covers different years' OG and QRs. So forum quiz is more diverse in that way in addition to the list of other source ques.

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