VatsSaraf wrote:
Hello everyone,
As from the topic of this post you know what I am going to ask, but before that let me put some details about my preparation.
I have been studying for GMAT from mid-January, I study 2 to 3 hours a day with maybe hour or two more on the weekends.
I started my preparation with a diagnostic test provided in OG19 and results were:
RC - average
CR - average
SC - below average
PS - above average
DS - below average
then I started with my preparation, covering all the basics and tips and tricks. I used materials like GmatClub videos on youtube (very thankfull for that, they were like blessing), OG19 and
Manhattan prep's 'all quant' and 'all verbal' books. After 2 months of preparation I decided to give my first practice test (official) and got 660 V34 and Q47 (honestly was bit disappointed, I expected around 690).
Problem starts here.
Now its been around a month after that and I have made no progress. Recently I gave another test (non-official) and got 660 V33 and Q47. I don't know what to do now, I still have some idea about increasing my quant score as I am weak in some concepts like geometry, probability etc but for verbal I don't know what to do, I know all the rules and yet I am inconsistent. There are days where I ace 700 level question and I get answers logically and there are days where I bomb sub 600 level question (this is FRUSTRATING!!). I feel like this is where most of the students giving GMAT get stuck ( I can be wrong though)
can anyone give me some advise regarding any of the sections or even sub-sections or how to break this barrier? I would mostly like to increase my verbal score as increasing verbal score would give big jump to my overall score, also any advise on how can I strengthen my weak concept in quants? any materials/ approach. My target is around 720+ and I have a month or 2 left (haven't set the date yet).
thank you in advance for the advices. Please help
Hi VatsSaraf,
Let me get straight to the point. Basically, knowing the rules doesn't help much to solve Verbal questions. GMAT Verbal is mostly about the methodology and the logical approach. Before you learn the concepts of any module in Verbal, understand what is actually tested using that. Once you understand that, you start focusing on the right aspects.
For example, SC questions on GMAT test your ability to convey the right meaning without any ambiguity. So, it's important to approach them from a meaning stand-point. You might have often come across answer choices which are both grammatically correct and convey a logical meaning but are indeed incorrect because they do not convey the intended meaning. So, the process to approach SC questions is to:
- Comprehend the original meaning of the sentence
- Identify errors if any (both grammatical and meaning wise)
- Eliminate answer choices which either are grammatically incorrect or do not convey the intended meaning
You can go through the recording below to understand the process in a better way.
Even though grammar rules help to a certain extent, meaning-based approach is the key to solving SC questions. The same goes with CR and RC questions as well.
The probable reasons for score being stagnant:
When you say that you are able to sometimes solve a 700 level question but struggle with 600 level questions, you are probably not using the right process to solve questions. You need to understand that when the approach is not consistent, your accuracy keeps varying. If I'm not wrong, for a few questions, you are not using the right process and are somehow getting the answers right. This should not happen as the same might happen during the actual test and when it doesn't happen, your score can drop.
So, the way to work on it is to learn the right process to solve questions of each module. Learn what is being tested, focus on the right aspects while learning, and then practice questions only after you are perfect with the concepts and the methodology to solve. And remember that, GMAT Verbal is all about eliminating four incorrect answer choices rather than choosing the right one. So, you need to use the right strategies to eliminate incorrect answer choices on solid grounds.
Please go through the recording below to understand how to improve your Verbal score.
I can help you in a better way if you can provide me the details of your weak areas in verbal and the way you approach questions of each module. I suggest we get in touch over a zoom call as it will help analyze your approach of solving questions. Once I understand your approach and identify the flaw if any, I can help you with the plan of action. We can discuss the study strategy for Quant during the call itself. You can use the below link to schedule a call with me.
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20 Apr 2021, 22:44
