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May 1212:00 PM EDT
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May 1308:30 AM PDT
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In Episode 4 of our GMAT Ninja CR series, we tackle the most intimidating CR question type: Boldface & "Legalese" questions. If you've ever stared at an answer choice that reads, "The first is a consideration introduced to counter a position that...- May 14
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Most GMAT test-takers are intimidated by the hardest GMAT Verbal questions. In this session, Target Test Prep GMAT instructor Erika Tyler-John, a 100th percentile GMAT scorer, will show you how top scorers break down challenging Verbal questions..
26 Sep 2022, 06:53
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Hi all,
I am always positively impressed by how this community provides both pragmatic support for its members (bank of questions solved, resources and techniques shared etc), but also emotional support (inspirational and psychological). On this sense, I felt like sharing my GMAT journey and strategy so far and would very much appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions on - whether I am following the correct strategy or you would recommend changes and in case you would recommend changes, what would those be? Also, for a new adapted strategy are there other resources you would recommend?
That being said, let me give you a bit of context first. In 2018, I started my prep for GMAT, reading MGMAT books and doing exercises and taking mocks. In the beginning of my prep my score at official GMAC mocks ranged from 610 to 630 (q38, v38). At the peak of my prep, my score ranged from 720 to 740 (q44 to q47 and v42 to 46). Being confident that I was ready to go for the real thing I scheduled my GMAT official Exam in 11/2018 only to see a disappointing score of 590 (q39, v32). As I thought this could have been due to how I was feeling on the day or some other extraneous factor that impacted my performance, I rescheduled the GMAT for 1 month later, reviewed content and retook the official test. Again, I failed miserably. This time the score was even lower, 540 (q40, v27). The most frustrating aspect of this score was severely underperforming in an area I considered to be one of my strengths. I am attaching both ESRs for reference.
After this first frustrating experience with the GMAT and in light of a job offer to work abroad I decided to take the job offer and withhold my prep.
Fast-forward to 2022, now I am 32 years old, and I decided to prepare again for the GMAT. As per study materials so far have finished Total GMAT book, by Jeffrey Sachman, and am taking Kaplan CATs and Official GMAC mocks to understand where I am at. I am sharing below my CAT and Official mock scores so far:
GMAC Official Mock 1: 630 (q39, v37)
Kaplan CAT 2: 610 (q40,v34)
Kaplan CAT 3: 630 (q40,v36)
GMAC Official Mock 2 - 680 (q42, v41)
Kaplan CAT 4: 610 (q42,v31), 24/09/2022
Kaplan CAT 1: 630 (q36,v40), 26/09/2022
**I don't remember precisely the other dates but I have given at least 2 weeks between one mock and the other (except between cat 4 and 1) and reviewed all wrong questions
Some important notes of my preparation:
-I am studying by myself and have not opted for any course so far, although I would be open for considering this option
-I haven't used OG GMAT questions in this new phase of prep yet
-My prep time split is 30/70 - verbal/quant
-Now I am keeping an error log to understand why I got certain question wrong
On another note, I ran some analysis of incorrect questions/area in Kaplan exams and crossed this information with the frequency of mistakes/area and found out that the priority areas I should focus on (where the frequency of mistakes was consistently higher) are:
Proportions 13
Algebra 10
Geometry 8
Arithmetic 6
Statistics 6
Number Properties 6
Other 1
For Verbal, although I didn't run a detailed analysis, I know my main challenges is in reading comprehension. General strategy-wise I have a problem with pacing -- in Kaplan CATs I had to rush through the end because I spent too much time in some questions and my score was impaired.
To sum up my main challenges are:
I) perform consistently higher on quant questions (aiming a q47); ii) have a structured method for tackling medium and hard questions; iii) correct any pending conceptual mistakes; iv) adjust my pacing strategy
All things said, I am considering the following next steps in my GMAT study preparation:
-Review Total GMAT book and redo wrong questions in drills and challenges
-Review again Kaplan and GMAC Official Mocks wrong questions
-Go over GMAT OG 2022
-Go over GMAT OG Quant and Verbal Books
-Buy other Official GMAC Exams
Decisions I haven't made yet
-Should I do a specific course for Verbal? Considering e-GMAT?
I am considering taking a specific course because, although I consider verbal to be one of my strengths, in the initial GMAT Official Exams I took my Verbal score plummeted, although Official Mocks suggested a different result
-Should I do a specific course for Quant? Considering TTP?
Quant is my weak area, so I think specific support and focus here might be handy
-Should I buy MGMAT CATs?
I am considering doing MGMAT CATs as, from what I read, their level is higher than the official exam. As initially (2018) I was performing well with official GMAC mocks and then did very poorly in the Official GMAT, I feel that taking MGMAT mock exams, which are considered difficult, and being able to perform well, will show that I have a higher likelihood of performing well on the real GMAT (just a hypothesis).
-Should I hire a private tutor?
I am considering this option because at this point I have already prepared twice and am getting a little bit tired and frustrated of not improving (at least not on Kaplan mocks), although I have studied and reviewed questions. So, more targeted and specific prep and guidance might work
As far as results go, I am aiming for a 720-740 on my GMAT, although would be already satisfied with +700, given my past scores. I am planning to take the exam until March, which would give me 5-6 months of prep and have 3-4 hours day to prepare and 6 hours on weekends. That being said, I also would like to be the most efficient and effective in my prep: I am uncertain that my score will improve further after 3-4 months of further prep (diminishing returns).
I would appreciate your help to critique/offer advice on:
-current study strategy (outlined in next steps) > does it make sense? is there anything you would do different? why?
-for the decisions I haven't made, what would be your recommendation for each of them? Am I missing an important point?
-are there any other resources and/or strategies you would recommend for prep (both quant and verbal)?
Thanks in advance,
Leo
I am always positively impressed by how this community provides both pragmatic support for its members (bank of questions solved, resources and techniques shared etc), but also emotional support (inspirational and psychological). On this sense, I felt like sharing my GMAT journey and strategy so far and would very much appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions on - whether I am following the correct strategy or you would recommend changes and in case you would recommend changes, what would those be? Also, for a new adapted strategy are there other resources you would recommend?
That being said, let me give you a bit of context first. In 2018, I started my prep for GMAT, reading MGMAT books and doing exercises and taking mocks. In the beginning of my prep my score at official GMAC mocks ranged from 610 to 630 (q38, v38). At the peak of my prep, my score ranged from 720 to 740 (q44 to q47 and v42 to 46). Being confident that I was ready to go for the real thing I scheduled my GMAT official Exam in 11/2018 only to see a disappointing score of 590 (q39, v32). As I thought this could have been due to how I was feeling on the day or some other extraneous factor that impacted my performance, I rescheduled the GMAT for 1 month later, reviewed content and retook the official test. Again, I failed miserably. This time the score was even lower, 540 (q40, v27). The most frustrating aspect of this score was severely underperforming in an area I considered to be one of my strengths. I am attaching both ESRs for reference.
After this first frustrating experience with the GMAT and in light of a job offer to work abroad I decided to take the job offer and withhold my prep.
Fast-forward to 2022, now I am 32 years old, and I decided to prepare again for the GMAT. As per study materials so far have finished Total GMAT book, by Jeffrey Sachman, and am taking Kaplan CATs and Official GMAC mocks to understand where I am at. I am sharing below my CAT and Official mock scores so far:
GMAC Official Mock 1: 630 (q39, v37)
Kaplan CAT 2: 610 (q40,v34)
Kaplan CAT 3: 630 (q40,v36)
GMAC Official Mock 2 - 680 (q42, v41)
Kaplan CAT 4: 610 (q42,v31), 24/09/2022
Kaplan CAT 1: 630 (q36,v40), 26/09/2022
**I don't remember precisely the other dates but I have given at least 2 weeks between one mock and the other (except between cat 4 and 1) and reviewed all wrong questions
Some important notes of my preparation:
-I am studying by myself and have not opted for any course so far, although I would be open for considering this option
-I haven't used OG GMAT questions in this new phase of prep yet
-My prep time split is 30/70 - verbal/quant
-Now I am keeping an error log to understand why I got certain question wrong
On another note, I ran some analysis of incorrect questions/area in Kaplan exams and crossed this information with the frequency of mistakes/area and found out that the priority areas I should focus on (where the frequency of mistakes was consistently higher) are:
Proportions 13
Algebra 10
Geometry 8
Arithmetic 6
Statistics 6
Number Properties 6
Other 1
For Verbal, although I didn't run a detailed analysis, I know my main challenges is in reading comprehension. General strategy-wise I have a problem with pacing -- in Kaplan CATs I had to rush through the end because I spent too much time in some questions and my score was impaired.
To sum up my main challenges are:
I) perform consistently higher on quant questions (aiming a q47); ii) have a structured method for tackling medium and hard questions; iii) correct any pending conceptual mistakes; iv) adjust my pacing strategy
All things said, I am considering the following next steps in my GMAT study preparation:
-Review Total GMAT book and redo wrong questions in drills and challenges
-Review again Kaplan and GMAC Official Mocks wrong questions
-Go over GMAT OG 2022
-Go over GMAT OG Quant and Verbal Books
-Buy other Official GMAC Exams
Decisions I haven't made yet
-Should I do a specific course for Verbal? Considering e-GMAT?
I am considering taking a specific course because, although I consider verbal to be one of my strengths, in the initial GMAT Official Exams I took my Verbal score plummeted, although Official Mocks suggested a different result
-Should I do a specific course for Quant? Considering TTP?
Quant is my weak area, so I think specific support and focus here might be handy
-Should I buy MGMAT CATs?
I am considering doing MGMAT CATs as, from what I read, their level is higher than the official exam. As initially (2018) I was performing well with official GMAC mocks and then did very poorly in the Official GMAT, I feel that taking MGMAT mock exams, which are considered difficult, and being able to perform well, will show that I have a higher likelihood of performing well on the real GMAT (just a hypothesis).
-Should I hire a private tutor?
I am considering this option because at this point I have already prepared twice and am getting a little bit tired and frustrated of not improving (at least not on Kaplan mocks), although I have studied and reviewed questions. So, more targeted and specific prep and guidance might work
As far as results go, I am aiming for a 720-740 on my GMAT, although would be already satisfied with +700, given my past scores. I am planning to take the exam until March, which would give me 5-6 months of prep and have 3-4 hours day to prepare and 6 hours on weekends. That being said, I also would like to be the most efficient and effective in my prep: I am uncertain that my score will improve further after 3-4 months of further prep (diminishing returns).
I would appreciate your help to critique/offer advice on:
-current study strategy (outlined in next steps) > does it make sense? is there anything you would do different? why?
-for the decisions I haven't made, what would be your recommendation for each of them? Am I missing an important point?
-are there any other resources and/or strategies you would recommend for prep (both quant and verbal)?
Thanks in advance,
Leo
26 Sep 2022, 18:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
Consider checking out the gmatclub study plan post. Have suggested Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC and CR to students. If you run out of Official Guide Questions, consider checking out the Online only question banks. Working with a study buddy may also be something you find helpful.
Someone who retook and significantly improved their Verbal. They mention some resources and tips.
Someone who retook and significantly improved their Verbal. They mention some resources and tips.
29 Sep 2022, 17:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi LEOLUCCIOLA,
I see you are interested in TTP. Did you have a chance to check out our trial? If you have any questions about the course, feel free to reach out.
I see you are interested in TTP. Did you have a chance to check out our trial? If you have any questions about the course, feel free to reach out.
