How to practice questions from the Official Guide

Question

Hi,

I am in the middle of the GMAT exam preparation. I am planning to take the exam in May:
1. I took the exam for the first time on 30th Nov 2019 and scored 620. At that time, I didn't study well because of my hectic work schedule during October and November. Not satisfied with the score, I am planning to retake it. And I am willing to score 720+.
2. I started my prep in mid-Feb, and am done with all Manhattan Strategy guides.
3. Today only, I gave a mock test (Veritas Prep) and scored 630. 
4. I am kind of sure my next step is to start with the OG. And I am also sure that reviewing the OG questions will be contributing a lot to my practice.

The only confusion is, how to go with the OG questions:
1. Should I do it, topic-wise?
2. Should I do it, difficulty-wise?
3. What tools can I use?
I have OG 2019 books. Unfortunately, online access to OG questions (through GMAT Wiley) is expired.
I am just not sure about how to practice OG questions. Please help.

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

Hello, Use the following link for your study. https://gmatclub.com/forum/search.php?view=search_tags The best way is to gain knowledge (from unofficial good materials) in any specific topic like "integer" , and apply your knowledge to the official materials like OG questions. You can select all the difficulty levels from the link above. Thanks__

Raxit85 · Answer

Based on info provided info., it'd be better to practice OG questions in GC topic wise along with increasing difficulty level. This can help to identify and strengthen your weak areas.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi amritakeswani,

Since this recent CAT Score is so similar to your prior Official Score, it's likely that you continue to "see" (and respond to) the GMAT in the same ways as before. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so since you've been studying for just about a month now, there's a reasonable chance that you will continue to improve as you continue to study. That having been said, you will likely have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections before you can get to the point that you can consistently score 720+.

If "your way" of studying has gotten you "stuck" in the low 600s, then continuing to work through lots of practice questions - in the same ways as before - might not actually be what you need to be focused on right now. I suggest that you study as you choose for the next 2 weeks, then take a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT. That Score will help to define how effective your studies are - and if you should change your routine going forward.

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 your timeline and your goals:

1) Do you have an Official Test Date scheduled yet (and if you do, then when is it?)?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

amritakeswani · Answer

Thank you so much, Rich, for a comprehensive response.

For my first attempt, most of the time was spent on practicing as many questions as I could without any proper strategy or reviews. I know that way is wrong. I am looking for some strategies to practice these questions that play in my favor.

Also, please refer to the following information:

1)  Do you have an Official Test Date scheduled yet (and if you do, then when is it?)?  - I have still not scheduled the official test date. I plan to take the exam in May end.
2)  When are you planning to apply to Business School?  - I am planning to apply for 2021 intake, thus in R1.
3)  What Schools are you planning to apply to?  - I am yet to shortlist schools but targetting for top 20 business schools

- Amrita

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi amritakeswani,

Studying for the GMAT now - far in advance of when you'll actually "need" your Score - is a smart choice. Since you've put in some study time already, and have a recent CAT Score to use as reference, there are some additional steps that you can take to make sure that this next phase of your studies is properly focused on the areas that you need to focus on.

"Review" is an exceptionally important part of the GMAT training process; your ability to define WHY you're getting questions wrong is essential to defining the areas that you need to work on (and the specific things that you need to 'fix'). As such, I'd like to know a bit more about your last CAT. While a full Mistake Tracker would provide a lot more information, there are some basic questions that you should be able to answer (and the more EXACT you can be with your answers, the better):

After reviewing each section of this recent CAT, how many questions did you get wrong....
1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal that you just could not remember how to do?
3) Because the question was too hard?
4) Because you were low on time and had to guess?
5) How many Verbal questions did you 'narrow down to 2 choices' but still get wrong?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi amritakeswani,

Since, for your first GMAT attempt, you spent most of your time practicing questions rather than learning the content, you need to be careful that you do not go down the same path this time around. Rather than immediately diving into OG practice, consider following more of a linear study plan that allows you to learn each GMAT quant and verbal topic, and then practice each topic until you’ve gained mastery. Certainly, if you want more specific advice on how to improve your quant and verbal skills, feel free to reach out. Lastly, you may find it helpful to read the following articles:

How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success

How to Learn More, Learn Faster, and Retain More Knowledge While Preparing for the GMAT

s1lntz · Answer

I would suggest you first analyze which topics, and which difficulty level questions you struggled with in your mock test. Then, you can do 1 topic at a time, and do a set of 600-700 level, then 700+ level.
Tools? A good error log is all you need. To get from mid-600s to 700+ in mocks, the best thing you can do is document patterns in the difficult questions, and ensure not to make the same mistake again.

Gurjeetk · Answer

How to practice through OGs, as i have only 1 month to prepare?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Gurjeetk,

You posted a similar question approximately 1.5 months ago, so I have to assume that your studies have not been as efficient during that time as you hoped that they would have been. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you are going to again try to limit your studie, then there will likely be a limit to how much you can improve in that time.

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 many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) 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)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

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