help needed to crack 700 barrier

Question

Hello Experts,

Please help me to ace to 700+.

Here is brief background of my test prep:

Just wrote my actual test this tuesday and got 670 (q48, v34), wasn't a shock as in the last week i realized i didnt do enough 700+ questions,Touched a few in last week but i suppose thay weren't enough, but i expected to score more on verbal.

KAPLAN: 590
MGMAT CAT1: 640
MGMAT CAT2: 660
MGMAT CAT3: 660
MGMAT CAT4: 640
MGMAT CAT5: 680
Didnt give the last one

Tried analyzing my practice test results before the actual test, i realized i did poorly on 700+ questions in almost every section. Though i had 80% accuracy in SC on sub 700 questions, 70% CR for same catagory and roughly 60% in RC. Quant was Ok but same problem with 700+, mostly DS.

Even in verbal 700+ questions i realized i was able to narrow down to 2 most probable and most often than not chose the wrong one. Also more often the questions that i got wrong were due to language of answer choices.

I must mention that i found verbal section on actual GMAT a bit tough and therefore took a bit more time in first half and i have to rush in second thereby lowering my score.

I want to resume studies as soon as possible but first i want to know if i'm going in right direction. I have to retake GMAT before 15th Oct so that i may have sufficient time to prepare the essays as well.

Please help to eradicate flaws in my study plan if any or in my technique so that i can score atleast 720. (with approx 45 days, 2-3 hrs weekdays, 5 on most hrs weekend)

I think i need to focus on 700+ content please suggest me stuff to best utilize the limited time.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

List of resources that i have:
6 MGMT CATS + 5 KAP TESTS
OG 12/13
OG Verbal 2
Quant Review 2
set of 8 MGMT books
Powerscore CR,
Aristotle RC99, 
Jeff's extreme challange,
Chilli Hot maths

I'm planning to buy Kaplan maths n verbal challenge. Any suggestions?

PS: I didn't thoroughly covered Quant Review 2, chilli hot maths, RC99 in first attempt.

Best Regards,
Mansoor

BrushMyQuant · Answer

Try Thursdays with Ron for Verbal. (Specially SC and RC) For Quant i have written a post how-to-improve-quant-score-137975.html Hope it helps!

mansoorfarooqui · Answer

Thanks nkdotgupta.. i will definitely checkout Ron's videos and your math post was indeed helpful..

Do you have any comments regarding the Kaplan verbal/math workbook.. i somewhere read it mostly contain 600-650 level questions..

BrushMyQuant · Answer

HI,

Am not very sure about that as I have not solved questions from that.
For practice i used grockit.coma nd gmatclub questions. (you can find a link to gmatclub tags in my signature)

Hope it helps!

mansoorfarooqui · Answer

Alright!

i have grockit membership.. i will try to use it more often this time..

Thanks mate!

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

You're right that you need to improve your performance on 700-800 level questions, but keep in mind that it's also very important to get solid on the questions below that difficulty level. In general, the best way to get a given score is to achieve mastery of the problems *below* that level. In your case, that means getting to an extremely high level of accuracy on 600-700 level questions.

Another thing to look at is consistency. I ran a comprehensive assessment of your last 4 exams (have you done this?) and saw that your percent correct varies wildly. There are areas in which you are doing very well (algebra, FDPs) and others in which you are missing most or all of the problems (rates, overlapping sets, certain areas of geometry, etc.). The GMAT definitely punishes unevenness. If you do very well on several algebra problems, for instance, the test may reward you with a 700-800 level rate problem! If you want to break 700, focus primarily on smoothing out your weaknesses and producing consistent and reliable results. You don't have to master every insanely difficult problem. In fact, it can be very wise to let the occasional problem go so that you have time to focus elsewhere. You just can't afford to have any major weaknesses, especially if they will cause you to miss easier-ranked problems.

mansoorfarooqui · Answer

Hi Farb!

Thanks a million for the insightful analysis. 
I totally buy your point, i need to do all types of problems.

I havent done a regressive analysis but yea on a high level i know i need to improve in few areas and avoid silly mistakes. I would be a huge favour if you can check if i'm using the right stuff to scale GMAT peaks. Also suggest if it is at all feasible in 45 days time with 3 hrs on weekdays and 5-6 hrs on weekend.

Here is the brief:
For quant (focus 40% of my prep time, turn v48 to v50):
- I have started using grockit esp. for quant as it maintains my progress, strengths/weaknesses and also have good quality problems
- OG13 new probs, OG Quant review, Chilli hot Maths, Jeff's extreme challenge 
- some GMATclub test probs (through iphone app)

For Verbal (focus for 60% of my prep time, turn v34 to ~v37-38)

SC
- MGMAT SC/Aristotle Grail (redo)
- OG13 SC full with thorough understanding of official explainations
- Buy GMAT Prep question pack (as i found SC was pretty different on actual GMAT). What do u suggest?

CR
- Powerscore CR (redo only attacking techniques)
- practice lots of problems 
- OG13, OG VR 2, KAP800, GMATPrep QB, GMATclub 700 difficulty probs
- LSAT Test probs

RC
- Aristotle RC (99 passages)
- OG verbal review 2, OG13 new probs

I also have an e-gmat verbal subscription.
In addition, i will give 5 MGMAT CATS and optionally 5 KAP CATs

Best Regards,
Mansoor

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