How to get from 500 to 620 in 3 weeks

Question

Hi,

I have taken my gmat twice now: first time 450 (V17) and second time 500 (Q35, V25). I was really disappointed of Q because at home while doing practice tests I always scored on Quant between 42-48 so I don’t understand this low score. I really need that 600 score or 610 or 620 and I have studied about 12 days very intense for my second exam. Also I lacked time when I had 12 questions remaining with only 15 min left, whereas at home I had at least 2 min in excess.

I actually improved already a bit in V from 18 to 25-27 and 30 but test days lower my score in each section.

How should I take this from now on to get a score of at least 600 if I study 3 more weeks and how do I study best, every day 8h or should I take some rest as well because I’m really tired of taking all the practice exams and the real exam.

Is it possible to grow this much?

On my last 3 practice exams I scored 540-620-580

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi VC3000,

I'm sorry to hear that your 2nd attempt did not turn out better. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you studied for just 12 days before this 2nd attempt, then that would simply not have been enough time for you to hone all of the skills needed to consistently score 600+. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level - but you will almost certainly have to commit to a much longer study timeframe 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:

1) On what dates did you take your 2 Official GMATs?
2) How many hours did you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far? What "brands" of CATs/mocks have you taken?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to? If you are planning to apply soon, then what specific application deadlines are you facing?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi VC3000,

It's going to be quite challenging to improve your GMAT score by 120 points in such a short period of time. The best you can do is push back your GMAT, study longer, and take the GMAT once you are truly ready to do so. For some more information, here is a helpful article:

How Long Should I Study for the GMAT?

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi VC3000,

There are high chances that you are still not completely clear with the concepts of a few topics. Improvement of 100 points in 3 weeks is really difficult as you have to put in a lot of effort with respect to the concepts and your weak areas. It would be better if you can provide me a bit more information about your past GMAT attempts, the way you prepared and the approach you use to solve questions. This will help me get an idea whether such significant improvement is realistic in a short time.

We can get in touch over a call and discuss the same. You can use the below link to get in touch with me.

Click here to schedule a call

VC3000 · Answer

GMATWhizTeam

My first exam was on oktober 28, actually I didn’t study really hard for this and was solving V questions rather on feeling than on knowledge.

I studied about 2 weeks but my schema wasn’t consistent at all. So this was a huge mistake of myself taking this not serious enough yet.

My second exam where I studied in a serious and consistent way was on February 2 and I did 1 day of study on each section, so 1 day PS, 1 day DS, 1 day SC, 1 day CR and 1 day RC. Than I took a gmat practice test and scored 540 (Q48,V18). Than I started practicing 4 more days on verbal and the day before the exam I took 2 more practice tests and scored 620 (Q44,V30) and 580. So I could really feel the improvement of actually really studying for verbal and looking for rules for sentence correction etc.

Due to my ADHD I always got extra time on exams for the last 10 years now, so the time constraint is also a hurdle for me. Normally I study 6 to 7 hours effectively each day and I just study every day.

I want to go to ESSEC, simb. But as I also need to take a toefl, I really want to get my Gmat as quickly as possible. 610 is ok for me as ESSEC requires 600<. I can impossibly study 3 months. Also all of my friends mostly study about 3 intensive weeks and all score above 640 and they’re on the same academic level as I am with same university grades etc.

I only used gmat content, so the 3 books of Gmat and did 6 practice exams.

I want to apply before the end of March also.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi VC3000,

From the information that you have provided, you have been basing your studies around the goal that you should take the GMAT 'as soon as possible', while your ACTUAL goal is to score 600+.

If your ADHD is significant enough that you have received testing accommodations in the past, then that is an important factor in terms of how you should attempt to take the GMAT. You can apply for those types of accommodations - and if you have the proper documentation and history, then you might receive that extra time on the GMAT. That application process takes time though (and includes some specific 'steps' that you have to go through).

I completely understand why you want to be done with the GMAT sooner rather than later, but if you ultimately "need" a 600+ to apply to your first-choice School, then THAT Score result has to be the priority - and you have to give yourself enough time to achieve it.

1) When is the next application deadline AFTER March?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi VC3000,

Thanks for giving me a little background about your GMAT Preparation. Looks like you have only focused on practicing questions through out your journey of preparing for GMAT. But unless you are clear with the concepts and the methodology, your score remains stagnant no matter how many questions you solve. The thing is, once you learn the concepts and the methodology, you don't have to solve hundreds of questions. You just have to practice enough questions to get used to the methodology.

So, I hope you understood that you have missed the trick here. Start focusing on learning the concepts and the methodology and dive into practicing questions only after that. Choose a right resource to study the concepts and the methodology. Invest on a good resource rather than investing on a GMAT attempt without preparation. You can check out GMATWhiz online course for that matter. If you wish to have a detailed discussion regarding the study strategy, you can use the below link to get in touch with me.

Click here to schedule a call

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