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mmtakam23
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 05 Dec 2016, 17:42
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Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone was having the same issues as me/had any suggestions. I have been studying for about 4 months and taking the GMAT in Jan.

Diag test to first CAT: improved 80 points
CAT 1 to CAT 2 (month in between): improved only 20 points

I have studied all the MGMAT strategy guides and have been doing OG problems everyday. Any advice on how to improve? I can't figure out what I am doing wrong to where I am barely improving. Trying to get into the 600s, but CATs are in low 500s.

Thanks in advance for any input. I appreciate it!
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 05 Dec 2016, 22:02
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Hi mmtakam23,

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) Back in May, you stated that you had been studying for a few weeks. Now it's December (7 months later) and you've stated that you've studied for 4 months. Were those 4 months consecutive or were they 'broken up?' On what dates did you take each of your CATs?
2) What materials have you used besides the books that you listed?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
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
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mmtakam23
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 06 Dec 2016, 09:02
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi mmtakam23,

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) Back in May, you stated that you had been studying for a few weeks. Now it's December (7 months later) and you've stated that you've studied for 4 months. Were those 4 months consecutive or were they 'broken up?' On what dates did you take each of your CATs?
2) What materials have you used besides the books that you listed?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
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
Show more


1. I started in May, but had a busy summer at work, took a few month break, started again Oct.
Took CATS Nov 6 and Dec 3
2.Only books I used are MGMAT and OG, as my funds are limited
3. 510 and 530
4. Goal is mid 600's
5. Planning to apply 2018 hopefully
6. Undecided

Thanks!
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 06 Dec 2016, 12:00
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Hi mmtakam23,

GMAT skills tend to fade over time if you're not practicing consistently - so since you started back up in October it's more appropriate to say that you've been studying for 1.5 to 2 months. 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. While you might naturally improve as you continue to study, these two CAT scores are essentially identical (which means that you keep responding to the GMAT in the same general way). To score at a much higher level, you'll likely need at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study with an emphasis on learning/practicing new Tactics. You might also want to consider pushing back your Test Date.

1) How many hours do you study each week? What type of study routine do you follow?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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mmtakam23
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 06 Dec 2016, 12:31
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi mmtakam23,

GMAT skills tend to fade over time if you're not practicing consistently - so since you started back up in October it's more appropriate to say that you've been studying for 1.5 to 2 months. 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. While you might naturally improve as you continue to study, these two CAT scores are essentially identical (which means that you keep responding to the GMAT in the same general way). To score at a much higher level, you'll likely need at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study with an emphasis on learning/practicing new Tactics. You might also want to consider pushing back your Test Date.

1) How many hours do you study each week? What type of study routine do you follow?

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

I am thinking about moving the test date to late February. Do you think that is enough time?
I have been studying before work for 2 hrs everday doing Quant and Verbal OG questions and reviewing old concepts. When I have the energy, I have been studying at night as well, but morning is when I retain more information. I also have been studying on the weekends for a few hours.

I appreciate your feedback!
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 06 Dec 2016, 12:45
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Hi mmtakam23,

Pushing your Test Date back to late February would give you a lot of additional study time. Studying in the morning is also a smart choice (most Test Takers do their best thinking/learning in the first 4-5 hours of the day).

Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in under 2 months, so the time commitment would fit your new schedule nicely. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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mmtakam23
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Help! Only seeing a small improvement... 06 Dec 2016, 12:56
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi mmtakam23,

Pushing your Test Date back to late February would give you a lot of additional study time. Studying in the morning is also a smart choice (most Test Takers do their best thinking/learning in the first 4-5 hours of the day).

Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in under 2 months, so the time commitment would fit your new schedule nicely. We have a variety of free resources on our site (https://www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

Thank you for all your advice and help! I will check that study plan out! Much appreciated!
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