Highly appreciated in advance for your advice to raise GMAT score

Question

Greetings, this is Taeseung, a Korean male that has been striving his best to get 700/720+ GMAT score.

Ashamed of lack of progress and frustration that I face, I would like to write this message to ask for your expertise advice to improve my score.

I have been studying for GMAT since June '15 to Dec '15. I took a little break between the term, and have been reinitiated with GMAT since June '16

I majored applied mathematics in Virginia Military Institute, one of the senior military institute in U.S.

And has served in Korean Armed Forces as an officer until June '16.

These are my scores.

TOEFL Score: 107/120 (4 years ago)

Latest GMAT Scores 
June '15: 640(V:27/Q:50) SC/CR/RC percentile: 77/44/16
July '15: 560(V:20/Q:48) SC/CR/RC percentile: 21/66/18
Oct '15: 610(V:23/ Q:49) SC/CR/RC percentile: 85/48/16
Dec '15: 570(V:19/Q:50) SC/CR/RC percentile: 50/25/14
July '16: 640(V:27/Q:49) SC/CR/RC percentile: 55/98/47
Aug '16: 590(V:19/Q:51) SC/CR/RC percentile: 57/25/7

I put good amount of time and resources to increase my score. 
Nonetheless, it seems like to me that score has been fluctuating on SC/CR, and stagnating on RC.
What frustrated me the most is that I scored best on first 1 month then score moved up and down below the score.
I took some courses in Korea, got online tutor, and worked on OG, VR...etc.
Didn't have much time in year '15 as I was busy working. 
However, I can spend as much time as I want to on this exam from now on. 
1st round of application is over that I have good 4 months as well(even if I hope to finish ASAP).

I have a firm belief that you, experts will give me good pieces of advice.
I appreciate in advance of your time spent reading this message and great advice.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi scabinze,

With your score goal, we will have to get your Verbal Scaled Score up to approximately a V35. Your recent CAT scores (from July and August) show that your Verbal skills are inconsistent. To score at that higher level, you will need to learn and practice the proper Verbal Tactics.

1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

KarishmaB · Answer

Obviously, your Quant section is already taken care of. You only need to worry about Verbal. SC is more steady, CR unreliable but RC is a train wreck. And unfortunately, RC takes most time to improve.

SC - The traditional approach to SC doesn't work anymore.

CR - You need to really understand all the different types of CR questions. Do you know exactly what to focus on in each question type? For example, you need to figure out the conclusion in all strengthen/weaken questions and then focus on the conclusion. That is what you will strengthen/weaken.

RC - This takes patience. Knowing all question types helps here too but you also need to read a lot and develop an appropriate strategy that works for you.

scabinze · Answer

1) I will take maximum of 3 more times before end of this year. Gotta make it happen. I am considering to take the next one either end of Sep or early Oct.

2) I will apply before Jan '17 so that I can get admission for Sep '17.

3) I will apply for top U.S. MBAs only.

Thank you for your comment.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Based on your practice test scores, you appear to be pretty set with GMAT quant. However, to raise your overall GMAT score, you will need to improve your verbal.
 
In attempting to improve your verbal score, it may be a good idea to concentrate on learning one section at a time, reading comprehension, sentence correction, or critical reasoning. Have you been able to study in this way?
 
For example, when learning about critical reasoning, attempt to master all aspects of critical reasoning before moving on to another section: master the full range of critical reasoning question types. Follow up your learning with focused critical reasoning practice, so you can determine your specific weaknesses within each topic. For example, if you continually have trouble with strengthening arguments based on scientific evidence, you will want to identify and overcome that difficulty. You should follow a similar routine for sentence correction and reading comprehension.
 
Also, to help improve your reading comprehension, I recommend reading publications such as the Economist, the New Yorker, Scientific American, or the Smithsonian so you can get used to reading and analyzing long, sophisticated passages that are well written.

To master sentence correction, you must become proficient in the use of grammar rules (e.g. parallelism, subject-verb agreement, comparisons, pronouns, etc.) and accepted English usage. Concentrate on one topic at a time, such as modification, and practice with as many modification questions as you can find. Only after you feel confident with, for example, modification should you move to the next topic. In addition to your dedicated study, notice grammar and usage in your everyday life. When you read emails, articles, or even blog posts, pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, the use of pronouns, and even punctuation. Use proper grammar in your everyday writing as well. Have you put parallel ideas into parallel constructions? Do all of your pronouns agree with their antecedents?? The more you reinforce your study with related activity outside of your study, the greater the likelihood you will master the topics, and have fun doing so!
 
Also, instead of using a book for your GMAT prep, I suggest using a self-study course. In comparison to GMAT prep books, self-study courses typically provide detailed study plans and have granular analytics, so you can easily track your progress as you move through the course. By being able to track your progress, you will remain more engaged, and you’ll be able to more accurately forecast when you are ready to take your real GMAT. 
 
Feel free to reach out with any further questions. Good luck!!

Don’t give up!!! You can do it!!!

Highly appreciated in advance for your advice to raise GMAT score

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards