How long do you spend reviewing a problem?

Question

Hi everyone! I could use some guidance regarding the length of time you should spend reviewing an official GMAT question after you've already answered it.

If I answered it correctly, is it sufficient just to read the explanation and move on?
If I answered it incorrectly, how long should I spend reviewing the answer/answer choices?

I sometimes feel like I spend way too long deconstructing a problem and agonize about understanding the problem inside-out and am afraid I might be moving too slowly in my studies. Any guidance would be extremely helpful.

Thank you!
Roque

abhimahna · Answer

Hey Roque , Welcome to GMATClub

I would say the approach you are following right now is the best approach if you really wanna end up with a great score. You should not do the questions for the sake of completing them. Meaning you should not run after quantity of questions. Rather you should know right reasons for rejecting any answer choice no matter whether you got that question right or wrong. Drilling down the answer choices and understanding each and every rule will actually make you quite familiar with what all traps GMAT could test and hence you will be prepared for the actual exam with very strong understanding. In short quality of study matters here. Remember: This hard work will pay you off in the actual exam. Read my post "How to use this forum in the best way?". You will find lots of stuffs about how I have emphasised the drill down approach. All the best

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Roque,

You ask a good question - "review" is an exceptionally important part of the overall GMAT training process - and the answer to that question depends on a variety of factors. 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 study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Roque · Answer

Thanks for the input  abhimahna  I really appreciate it. And happy to be a part of the club!

EMPOWERgmatRichC  to answer your questions:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? I've been studying very consistently since last September 
2) What study materials have you used so far? Quant: Total GMAT Math. Verbal: Powerscore CR. And of course OG Review
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? 660 (Q42 V39) 680 (Q44 V40) 650 (Q42 V38)

Goals:
4) What is your goal score? 700
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT? Early May
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School? R1 2018
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to? H/S/W, Booth, Tuck, Columbia, Sloan

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Roque,

If you've really been studying consistently for more than 6 months, then there are a few 'issues' that are likely impacting your work:

First, 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, your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 660 +/- a few points). You're closer to a 700+ than you probably realize, but many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level - and since your studies have clearly been book heavy, it's likely that this has happened to you as well. By extension, you'll likely end up needing to invest in some new, non-book resources and learning/practicing some new Tactics if you want to consistently score in the 700s.

Second, Quant Scaled Scores in the low-Q40s mean that you're doing pretty well on most of the 'math' questions that you face, but you make some little mistakes throughout the section and you miss out on LOTS of 'strategy-based' points. This is the type of score that a typical 'math thinker' would earn (re: engineers, bankers, accountants, etc.), so if you're in one of those careers, then this score is not surprising. However, the Quant section of the GMAT is NOT a 'math test' - it's a 'critical thinking test' that requires lots of little calculations as you work through it. To score at a much higher level in this section, you need to become more of a 'strategist' and less of a 'mathematician.'

Third, you've taken just 3 practice CATs - and it's unclear how realistically you've made each CAT-taking 'event.' If you've taken these CATs in a way that doesn't 'match up' with what will occur on Test Day, then it's possible that all 3 results are 'inflated.'

Thankfully, you should be able to 'fix' all of these issues in the next 1.5 months and potentially hit your Score Goal, but you're going to have to make some fundamental changes to how you "see" (and respond to) the Quant section and how you handle your studies overall.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

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