How to go from 700 to 770?

Question

Hi all,

I have taken GMAT in Nov-2007 and scored 700 (Quant-50 and Verbal-35)

I am not happy with the score and it adds no value to my profile. And my profile isn't exceptionally different from many GMAT Aspirants. (Indian software engineer with 8 years of experience. All the experience has been in product development in Top MNCs with a few years of international experience)

I would like to take GMAT again and score a minimum of 770.

But, I am in a huge dilemma over the preparation strategy.

As per my prev experience, Quant is achievable and the only thing to be careful is the silly mistakes.
But the concern is in Verbal.

In Verbal, RC is quite unpredictable for me.(ie, i can never score consistently) And i am really not sure how to improve.
Also, sentence correction is ok, but definitely there is scope for improvement.

I had prepared using GMATPrep and Princeton Review.

But, now i am not sure as how to prepare so that score can be maximized to 770.
Could you please advise as what is to be done differently to improve RC and SC?
Also, are there any specific strategies that will aid in maximizing the score?

Thanks

bigoyal · Answer

Its a very difficult question. I would certainly like to see the views from some experienced guys, hence subscribing to the topic.

bb · Answer

I think this is a Nink question (he has 770 - I am just a lowly peon with 750), but take a look at this post: gmat-study-plan-go-from-650-to-80235.html

One other option you have is to sign up for a test-prep class that guarantees a certain score improvement and will refund the tuition costs if not delivered.

Also, look at this thread: 700-clubbers-add-your-name-to-the-list-64636.html

gmaggi · Answer

bb,

thanks for the reply.
Yes, i did take a look at the thread. It is quite useful.

I did refer Manhattan SC last time. But i never went through the whole book.

Also, i was reading about the Knewton online course in another thread.
It looks promising. Need to check the details.

Still, it would be great if anybody who went thru the path could share their insights...

Hussain15 · Answer

I am amazed, bb didn't mention the gmatclub tests. These tests are too tough and are made for 700+ club. Another option can be the Kaplan or MGMAT online tests. In case you need some detailed analysis of these tests, you may check this out all-gmat-cat-practice-tests-links-prices-reviews-77460.html If you want to give verbal section more emphasis, you can just buy Powerscore or Manhattan strategy guides. These are of great help for verbal part. Last but not the least, do not attempt the tough practice tests in the initial phase of your study, retain these for the last month, then this will help you a lot. My suggestion: Verbal: MGMAT & Powerscore Practice: GMAT Club tests, MGMAT & KAPLAN You will definitely achieve your dream score, Best of luck!!!

timetrader · Answer

GMATClub tests are the great help for quant. But look at the quant score - it's 50 already!! In this case it would make sense to use them only to keep the brain cells in shape. :-D

Gmaggi, I hope you'll find our verbal forum helpful, good luck with the preparation!

nink · Answer

Try using some of the strategies stated here: disastreous-first-attempt-590-q-49-v-77850.html#p585858

swank6 · Answer

Hi all, I'm in a similar situation to gmagi but with Quant and Verbal flipped - I've just scored a 700, but with 42 Quant and 44 Verbal.

I want to really focus on studying quant for a re-take - it seems like it should be easy to boost my quant into the upper 40s and get a much higher score. I'm pretty steady with my verbal (around ~44 pretty much always), and I find the only ones I get wrong are where I misread or misunderstand something. In any case I feel my verbal isn't worth studying for at this point.

For quant, I encountered a lot of questions that I simply had no idea how to do (or, to do in 2 minutes or less). I've gone through the math review sections of a few study guides, but I've found that the quant questions combine concepts in ways that aren't clearly explained by the guides - and I just don't have the quant base to figure them out. I'm considering buying the Kaplan Math Foundations book but I worry that it might just go over the same basic concepts again, which I understand. I'm looking for explanations on how to handle stuff like roots that are parts of fractions that are parts of roots, etc. - stuff that might seem pretty basic. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Hussain15 · Answer

@swank:

U don't actually need to do for Kaplan Foundations, it covers the basics of Maths. You need to have tough 700+ question bank of quantative part, which is aimed for high qt score. Now my suggestion will be to go for gmatclub tests. These are designed for the persons like u. These are tough, are good in number and provide a good way to practice the hard qt questions.

Best of luck!!!

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

It may be valuable for you to actually check out Kaplan Math Foundations - it is under $15 and you can probably cover it in a few days - may be helpful. If not - you can always return it. You can also combine this with gmatclub tests and use them to probe your weaknesses

Av · Answer

@swank6

I would agree with bb's recommendation. At Q42, you probably missed a couple fundamental concepts the first time around. I would recommend reviewing a book like Total GMAT Math (quickly becoming my favorite), Kaplan Math Workbook, or some other fundamentals book.

swank6 · Answer

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will pick up Kaplan GMAT Math Foundations and check it out.

Avernusaur: Are you referring to Total GMAT Math by Jeff Sackmann? This book does look like exactly what I need based on the description, but the $50 price tag is pretty steep, and I couldn't find it on Amazon. Does this book cover everything that the Kaplan book does? In other words, should I bother getting the Kaplan one if I decide to get this one?

Av · Answer

I personally believe that Total GMAT Math is the most thorough book for GMAT quant. The price is steep, but the book is great resource. It's an e-book that Jeff only sells from his own site. He'll email you a copy within 24 hours of placing the order.

Kaplan's math book is also a good resource for fundamentals, but it covers less material than Total GMAT Math.

swank6 · Answer

Thanks, Avernusaur. That's a great endorsement. After reading a bit more about the book on his site, I think it is what I need.

I've never studied off an e-book before - did you find that the format affected you in any way? I've always done the old-fashioned write all over the margins kind of thing; I suppose printing out the PDF in batches would be the same.

Av · Answer

I printed it out and put the pages in a binder. I have the main text in one binder and the answer explanations in another, so I can review my answers without flipping back and forth in the the same binder.

gmaggi · Answer

Hi timetrader,
Will surely check out the verbal section.

Nink,
Thanks. There are quite a few useful tips in the suggested thread.

Actually, i have gone ahead and scheduled my test today for Oct-1st. (thus putting aside the confusions as whether 700 is enough and no need to take again:))

So, 10 weeks left for the preparation...

WithHopesToWin · Answer

hello gmaggi, did you retake the exam? did you verbal score improve? i am in a similar situation as you..just curious

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