How do I improve from 650 to 740+?

Go for a course.
Egmat or gmatwhiz for Verbal.
And Target test prep for Quant.

Hi CollegeSnr,

I'm sorry to hear that your applications did not turn out better. While a 650/Q44 is a solid GMAT Score, it would not have 'boosted' your overall application - so if your overall profile did not help you to 'stand out' in any other ways, then retaking the GMAT is likely a smart choice (as is gaining some valuable Work Experience so that you can reapply later).

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, most of your CAT score results - along with your Official Score - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 630 +/- a few points). While the most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are). Thus, we have to ignore that 710. This leaves the 680 as something of an 'outlier' (and since you scored notably higher in the Verbal section, we have to be careful about assuming that this was an accurate reflection of your skills at that time). You clearly handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.

Since these results go back over 8 months, it's likely that you developed some 'bad habits' during your earlier studies that are keeping you from scoring higher. You will have to make some significant changes to how you 'see' (and respond to) the Exam before you can get to the point that you can consistently score 740+. You could potentially get to that level in 8 weeks, but if you continue to deal with the GMAT in the same ways that have been, then you will almost certainly continue to score in the same general range.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for this next phase of your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) What type of study routine have you followed over the last 3 months? How many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What Schools did you apply to?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

Hi CollegeSnr,

I don't think it's a good idea to give up on your GMAT when you are almost there. It's just that you have to tweak your approach a little, identify the exact reason for your score being stagnant and then work on those areas. And taking a break isn't a good option as well unless you desperately need that. A break can have a negative effect on your studies and you might have to start everything from the scratch. So, it's better to get it done with when you are in the zone. Let me help you with the process.

Before suggesting you how to proceed further, let's understand the reasons for being stuck in 600's.

The probable reasons:

• You might be having a few conceptual gaps
• You might be struggling with the application of concepts of a few topics
• You might not be using the right test taking strategies

As you see there could be multiple reasons and it's important to know the exact reason to suggest you a plan of action. It will be really pre-mature to suggest you anything without knowing the actual reason.

I can help you in a much better way if you can provide me with a few more details such as:

• Your current study strategy
• Your weak areas in both Quant and Verbal
• Your approach of solving questions

I suggest that we get in touch over a call and discuss the same. Connecting over a zoom conference call will help me understand your approach, identify the flaw in your approach if any and then suggest you the plan of action in a better way. You can use the link below to schedule a call with me.