How to go ahead now ?

Hi nikhilbansal08,

Raising a 530 to a 650+ will take some considerable time and effort. With a Test Date in the last week of August, you have about 4 weeks of study time, which is probably not enough time for you to make the necessary improvements and hit your score goal. If you could push back your Test Date though, and learn/practice the proper Tactics, then you could make some significant improvements and score at a much higher level.

1) What are the exact application deadlines that you're facing?
2) How many hours do you plan on studying each week going forward?

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

Great lakes deadline : December and SP Jain 31st August..

I am able to spare 2 hours on average each day for studies.


Issue with me is that i am neither good in maths nor verbal. So i am not sure where and what to concentrate on as a result i keep reading questions and doing them with no positive output in exams.

Since you have been studying for the GMAT for over a year without much improvement, there must be a fundamental issue in how you have been studying. I see you have used a number of different resources to prep for the GMAT; however, when using these resources have you been able to achieve linear and targeted learning? In other words, have you been able to master one topic before you move to the next? If not, you must follow that method of learning and practice to develop GMAT mastery.

For example, when learning about critical reasoning, attempt to master all aspects of critical reasoning, including the question types, before moving on to another section. 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 and also for the quant section.

Failure to achieve this type of learning and practice could be the reason why you have been unable to increase your GMAT score since last year. So, before doing any more random practice, I suggest finding a study resource that will allow you to gain complete coverage and mastery of each GMAT topic, and practice just that topic until it sticks.

Lastly, you must keep in mind that GMAT success does not happen overnight. You might have to study for longer than one month in order to raise your GMAT score to a 650+. Thus, you might consider taking your GMAT at a later date and also consider applying to school in round 2.

But - don’t give up!!! You can make this happen!!
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Thanks Jeff !! I will try to follow the recommended method.. May b that works out and help me achieve my desired target.

I have already gone through number of material so not sure which one i should follow now, can you just suggest some books which i can diligently follow and work upon.

Hi nikhilbansal08,

Given what you've described, you likely will need to (re)learn some content AND learn/practice some new Tactics. All of that work will require a longer study timeframe than you have. While your goal score is absolutely achievable, you're going to have to make some changes to your timeline to achieve it.

1) What is the next application deadline for SP Jain after August 31st?

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

Next application deadline will be next year in month of August...

As I’m sure you are aware, there are a plethora of resources available for GMAT prep. You can read official reviews and success stories on Beat The GMAT or GMAT Club to get an idea of what has worked for other students.

However, to prepare you for your GMAT quant, I welcome you to try out my course, Target Test Prep. The course has everything you'll need to self-study GMAT quant; the course is helping students crush the GMAT. It's an amazing resource that contains 20 chapters (about 500 lessons with 800 HD teaching videos) of concepts, wisdom, strategies, well-explained examples, and, of course, thousands of realistic practice GMAT math questions that will help you become a GMAT ninja and will provide you with a serious competitive advantage over your peers who may not yet be using this course. Also, feel free to take our no-cost 37- question quant diagnosticto get a detailed idea of your strengths and weaknesses.

If you need any further advice or would like to speak in detail, PM me, and I’d be happy to chat.
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Do you have the ESR's from your previous attempts? The enhanced score report is the most powerful performance analysis tool there is; your ESR's will certainly help us give you more specific advice if you post them here. Probably the best use of your money.

Thanks Jeff! i will surely check your course and will PM you for further advise and guidance.

No i don't have the ESR for my previous attempts.

Hi nikhilbansal08,

With less than a month of study time remaining, and since you would have to make some significant improvements in both the Quant and Verbal sections, it's not practical to expect to hit a 650 in that timeframe. You have to remember what the REAL goal is though - getting the degree from your first-choice School. You've listed two application deadlines - hitting a 650 in August is not a practical goal, but hitting it by December IS absolutely doable. You can also apply to SP Jain next year. You can certainly continue to study and take the GMAT in August (there's absolutely no harm in doing so), but if you really 'MUST' have a 650+, then you're going to need more time and the proper study materials.

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

Since you've already hit a plateau after putting in so much time to study, I strongly recommend that you get a tutor. Not sure how much tutors cost where you are; can't be that bad. You're really short on time and without fundamentally changing the way you study, I'm afraid you won't be able to reach your goal. MBA programs are expensive; if you can afford an MBA program and multiple GMAT attempts, let alone many many hours of study, I'm sure you can afford a few hours with an Indian or international tutor. US-based tutors may be too pricey for you.

Thanks a lot !! I am starting to prepare again and lets see how it goes....

Yes you are right Hi Line.. I definitely need a tutor who will guide and show me the path.. I have started the search ..

Thanks everyone for the replies !

You guys motivated me a lot to make a fresh start. Now i am starting and will give the Mock in November and will surely post the result on the same forum....

Hope it changes this time

Cheers...

Very cool. Good luck. Remember that if you want this attempt to be your last, you'll have to be on top of your own progress. There is no time left to be wasted. Make sure your tutor teaches you a system and walks you through examples to show you how to apply the system. Then apply the system yourself, and ask your tutor if you have difficulty with specific questions. Every question you answer, you have to understand how the system works for the question. If a tutor only teaches you examples rather than a system, he's not a good tutor. And don't bother with anyone that has not scored at least a 720.