Help needed with strategy

Question

Hi guys, I need some advice on how study to GMAT. I have been for too long away from math concepts, its been more than 5 year that I don't study math in general. I work in finance for more than 10 years, but the math I am used to do is very simple, things like adding, subtracting, percentages... I don't see difficult exercises in my routine. I decided to apply to a MBA and take GMAT test, however, I am having problems to grab and apply the concepts. I've sign up for Magoosh, I'm enjoying the classes, during the videos everything seems not too hard, but when it comes to exercises things get very different... in a simulation test I scored 440 and I am looking for something above 640 by December 22nd, when I will take the test.
What I'm recently doing is looking at the exercises here at the forum and trying to solve as many as possible to understand the logic... but I wonder if you have some advice to share.

Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dmatiello,

To raise a 440 to a 640 will take some considerable work - and you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. With your current Test Date, you have just about 6.5 weeks of study time remaining, but that will probably not be enough time to hit your score goal. 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 how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) When are you planning to take 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

dmatiello · Answer

Hi Rich,

I'm studying for 1 month and a half using Magoosh and the OG, and when I have some free time I come here to solve some questions or use the Veritas Prep app. I have about 3 hours a day to study which I divide into video lessons and questions.
My scaled score was Q29, V21. However, I have been experiencing some evolution in verbal exercises.

Now regarding my plans, I'm looking for taking the test at December 22nd, and my first option is to apply to Marriott (BYU) until January 15th. I'm still looking for second and third options, but there are two things that are making this choice harder, first the costs for international students, and second the support to have a work experience during or after the program.

Thank you!

Daniel

Sent from my SM-G900V using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Daniel,

Based on this one CAT score, you're going to need to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort yet. This is meant to say that you will likely improve as you continue to study. However, I still think that you're going to need at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goal.

1) When did you take this CAT?
2) Did you take the FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Did you have to 'rush' to finish any of the sections?

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

dmatiello · Answer

I took that test about 2 weeks ago... 
I jumped only the essay, I completed all the other three parts, and had problems with the time only in the IR section, which I couldn't finish, the other two I completed right on time, with couple minutes left.

I am afraid of taking that extra time and running out of seats at the University, the R1 for international students is January 15th and I would like to submit my application by there.

Sent from my SM-G900V using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Daniel,

Test Day is a rather specific 'event' - the details are specific and they matter, so you have to train as best as you can for all of them. The more realistic you can make your CATs, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. The more you deviate, the more "inflated" your scores can become. Unfortunately, since you skipped the Essay section, you took a shorter Exam that required less effort from you, so this score is likely not completely accurate.

Since it's been 2 weeks since you took this CAT, you should plan to take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) sometime soon - perhaps this weekend. You should make it 'match up' with Test Day in as many ways as is possible (so take the FULL CAT, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss your studies going forward.

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

dmatiello · Answer

Hi Rich, I took another CAT last Tuesday. This time I went through all the four sections. I ran out of time on IR, where 2 questions were not answered, also on Quant, where I left 2 questions without answer as well. This time I scored 530 (Scaled Q31/V33).
I had more difficulty on quant questions; I feel that I have to practice much more to remember all the concepts. After a review of the questions I missed my impression was that I did a lot of silly mistakes. I missed things that I already studied I was supposed to remember. 
However, overall I am feeling more confident. What is your opinion?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Daniel,

You've clearly made some nice improvements to how you handle the Verbal section - and the fact that you performed well at the end of the FULL GMAT is also a good sign. You still have a lot of work to do though, and I still think that you'll need at least 2 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goal.

As you continue to study, you MUST make sure to answer EVERY question that you face (even if you're just taking a 'blind guess'). On Test Day, any questions that you don't answer are penalized (and that penalty is worse than if you had simply gotten the questions wrong).

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

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