help needed - strategy - how to get from 450 to the best score in 3 mo

Question

Hi,

I am applying to Master of CEMS and I have scheduled my GMAT exam on the 5th of January 2017. I am a non-native English speaker but I could say that I am doing pretty well on a conversational business level (CAE - B level).

On a first time mock test on the official GMAT software I scored 450, but take into consideration that I trained before for only 2h on each section (random questions on the some websites) and I have never ever practiced or did anything similar to these type of questions - my studies have been done in Romania (Eastern Europe) and thus I have no common background to this type of assessments/tests.

I have done all of the practice questions of the software and I finding it difficult to work around almost all types of questions (v, q, ir) in due time - it takes a bit to understand exactly the questions, what I am supposed to do and what type of answer is expected of me. The most difficult I find it to be IR and reading comprehension - long and hard to follow in such a short period of time; at math I'm doing pretty well.

I am coming for help to you guys to:
-how to get better 
-score at least 600
-understand exactly what the test is scoring (just q and v, or ir too?) and what really counts so as to maximize my possibilities of getting a higher score
-tips and tricks for how to "beat the system" if possible or smart ways of getting the best score
-strategy to do il all in the time left (3 months, at least3 h/work day and 8h/weekend day)

Thanks,
Daniel

SlikRick · Answer

Can you share your specific score breakdown? What did you score on the Quant and what did you score on the Verbal? If you are currently scoring a 450, a general first step would be to get a stronger grasp of the content. Did the Quant / Verbal questions seem familiar from previous classes you took in high school, or were they completely foreign?

In terms of immediate next steps, I would set up a GMAT Error Log. Go through every problem you got wrong on your most recent practice test and spend 5 - 10 minutes on EACH problem relearning the content, internalizing why you got the problem wrong, and how you plan on approaching the same type of problem on a future test. Type out your reasoning in your Error Log as if you are keeping a personal journal. Do not cheat the process. If you got a Quant problem wrong because of a silly math error, then you need to sit and think about why the error occurred in the first place and how to avoid similar errors in the future.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Daniel,

Considering that you've just lightly studied so far, a 450 isn't too bad for an initial Diagnostic score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). From this experience, you can already tell that there are some specific areas that you're going to need to work on. Thankfully, you've given yourself plenty of time to study and improve.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on your timeline and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials do you have?
2) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on this CAT?
3) Did you have trouble finishing any of the sections of this CAT? Did you leave any questions unanswered? How many questions did you have to 'rush' through?

Goals:
4) What is your exact Test Day for the GMAT?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

daniel.cautis · Answer

Wow, that was quick... thank you and I really appreciate it. FOR SlikRick - I will attach the print screens of the score breakdown - the questions and type of reasoning & answers (none of them from any of the section) seemed familiar from previous classes - they were completely foreign - right after the mock test, I ran through all the practice questions of the original software (#90); after it, I checked each and every question (right & wrong ones) from the test and practice sessions so as to understand the type of question, what I did right and wrong and, most especially, why and how to answer rightfully FOR EMPOERgmatRichC - thank you for the pep-talk

- Studies 1) just their original software and that's all (I think I might have some online book from "Kaplan - 6 tests" or something like that) 2) I will attach the print screen with the results 3) During the test: - yes, some were difficult to answer in such a short time but i tried to manage and smart guess some (maybe 3 - 4 in each section) - no, no questions left unanswered - Goals: 4) 5th of January 2017 5) 8th of January is the deadline to submit the application - they accept the unofficial report of the exam 6) WU - Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration - International Management/CEMS MIM OR Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control, OR Marketing OR Supply Chain Management Regards, Daniel

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Daniel,

With a Q27/V25, you have the potential to pick up big points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. In addition, there are a variety of different score 'combinations' that will get you to a 600+, so getting 'hung up' on a particular sub-set of questions wouldn't necessarily keep you from your score goal.

Since your overall score goal is relatively modest, you could conceivably hit that goal with a certain volume of self-study. Depending on how YOU best study though, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some kind (either Guided Self-Study or Instructor-Led) so that you can learn all of the patterns, tactics and 'secrets' of the GMAT (without having to try to figure out all of that stuff on your own). Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then just let me know.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi daniel.cautis,

Since you scored a 450 on your recent practice exam, you will need to increase both your quant and verbal knowledge to hit your 600+ score goal. To help build up your knowledge, rather than seeking out ways to ”beat the system,” you may consider following a study routine that allows for linear and targeted learning and follow that with focused, deliberate practice. 
 
For example, if you are learning about Number Properties, you should learn everything possible about that topic: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc. After that, be sure that you practice with a lot of questions (50 or more) just on Number Properties. By doing such thorough practice, you’re developing your ability to apply what you have learned to realistic GMAT practice questions. The more realistic practice problems you solve using proper strategies and techniques, the stronger and faster you’ll become. It is through this deliberate practice that you will continue to build sophisticated critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and decision making skills - all skills that the GMAT rewards and which many students lack.

Follow a similar routine for verbal by learning one section at a time: reading comprehension, sentence correction, or critical reasoning. When learning about critical reasoning, for example, you want to be able to learn about all aspects of critical reasoning: strengthen and weaken the conclusion, resolve the paradox, find the conclusion, must be true, etc. Follow up your learning with focused critical reasoning practice, so you can determine your specific weaknesses within that topic. You should do the same for sentence correction and reading comprehension.

If your current resources do not allow for such focused learning and deliberate practice, you may consider using a robust resource, such as a self-study course.
 
Once you feel you have provided your GMAT quant and verbal knowledge, begin taking practice exams to track your overall progress. When taking practice exams you may consider taking the exams offered by GMAC, since those exams have an accurate scoring algorithm and contain retired questions from past GMAT exams.

Please keep us updated with your prep and, if you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me directly.

Good luck!

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help needed - strategy - how to get from 450 to the best score in 3 mo

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