I got 470 after studying for 2 months but I need to get 600

Question

Hello everyone,

I hope to get an advise from someone here.

I was studying for 2 months (for around 2-3 hours per day everyday) for the GMAT exam. I solved all MGMAT guides for quant and used McGraw-Hill’s Conquering GMAT verbal and writing book. I also solved all exercises from official guides 2020. So before studying I got 370 from practice exam (official) and now after 2 months I took another practice exam (Magoosh) and I got 470(math 29, verbal 27). I also use Magoosh product for exercices and watch explanations. I use error log provided in gmat forum. I need to get 600 to get accepted to the RSM university and I have one month to study maximum. Can anyone please advise what I am doing wrong? Thank you!

Posted from my mobile device

Raxit85 · Answer

By looking your timeline, it would be good to have proper guidance from the GMAT experts. There are many experts in the forum. You can tag any of your choice especially Scottargettestprep, Richempowergmat, BB. If you are looking for personal tutoring for guidance, then GmatBuster is also very good tutor who can help to achieve your target score.

Businessconquerer · Answer

Hi,  kamrim322  
I am glad that you asked 
A lot of people suffer due to the failure to understand the actual pattern on GMAT questions. Unfortunately, I understand exactly what these test prep companies do and offer, Usually its much different than what they teach.
I need more details to help you, please PM me with your query
I will be happy to give you personalised guidance as a novel tutor myself

Businessconquerer · Answer

I agree with you, but I think that with Magoosh, the issue is that they are either too basic or too complex, I took their course for a trial to see what's up with them, I think Indian tutors do a way better job in GMAT training, Veritas was a good course too. Quite frankly, I wish I had a consultant like me, GMAT can be prepared for free, there are so many things available here, we just need to know where to look.
I am going to release my personal GMAT Tutor Rankings soon enough

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

kamrim322 Take an official mock test. They are the replica of real GMAT. After taking official mock test you'll be able to know strength and weakness. It seems that your basic is not good for math part. Try this--> https://gmatclub.com/forum/ultimate-gma ... l#p1886497 Thanks__

Raxit85 · Answer

Businessconquerer ,

(Out of curiosity) Can you please elaborate on below your thoughts.
'Unfortunately, I understand exactly what these test prep companies do and offer, Usually its much different than what they teach.'
'I think Indian tutors do a way better job in GMAT training, Veritas was a good course too.'
'GMAT can be prepared for free, there are so many things available here, we just need to know where to look.' HOW???
How is your consultancy for GMAT preparation is different than the others???

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi kamrim322,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. I have an important question for you. When studying, do you find that you are following a linear study plan? In other words are you learning each quant and verbal topic individually and then practicing each topic until you’ve obtained mastery? Once I learn some more specifics about your study plan, I can provide some further advice. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following article:

The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT

kamrim322 · Answer

Hi kamrim322,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. I have an important question for you. When studying, do you find that you are following a linear study plan? In other words are you learning each quant and verbal topic individually and then practicing each topic until you’ve obtained mastery? Once I learn some more specifics about your study plan, I can provide some further advice. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following article:

Hi Scott,

thank you for your answer. I read your article and I realized that I'm in Phase III. I don't follow a certain plan and I believe that's my problem. There are so much material and I have the Kaplan book, Magoosh subscription, MGMAT books (they're old however) and I'm so lost because I don't know where to start and how many hours I should be studying per day. I also had a very good tutor but I took 3 classes with him because it didn't seem that we followed a plan so I was lost again because I didn't know where I stand. I really need to get this done in 30 days and get 600. By the way I also took IELTS and got 8 but I think it doesn't change anything. Do you know what exactly I should do now? Besides I have terrible anxiety about the preparation because I don't have much time left.

Kamile

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi kamrim322,

To start, raising a 370 to a 470 in 2 months is a great achievement - and it shows that you have the capacity to learn and improve. That having been said, raising a 470 to the point that you can consistently score 600+ will likely require that you study for at least another 2 months - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. As such, while I understand that you want to be done with the GMAT in a month, you have to remember your REAL Goal: to get into your first-choice School. If you ultimately "need" a 600+, then THAT Goal has to come first - meaning that you might need to change your timeline a bit.

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) Have you taken just those 2 practice CATs/mocks? If there are any others, then how did you score on those CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) When you say that you "need" a 600+, what does that mean exactly? Will a 600 guarantee you entry into that Program? What happens if you were to apply with a lower score (such as a 580 or 590)?
3) What is the exact application deadline that you are facing? When is the next deadline after that?
4) Are there any other Programs that you are interested in besides RSM?

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

kamrim322 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thank you!
1. yes I took only those 2 tests.
2. their minimum requirement is 600 and I believe my profile is quite ok to get in.
3. the deadline is May 15th this year. The next deadline is May 15th 2021. If I don’t make it to this deadline I will then have to skip an entire year. Correction, they just extended the deadline for the exam until July 2020! It means I now have more time. But I still need a plan. 
4. for this year my goal is only RSM university. If I don’t make it this year then for next year i would also consider some business schools in London.

Posted from my mobile device

kamrim322 · Answer

Hi kamrim322,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. I have an important question for you. When studying, do you find that you are following a linear study plan? In other words are you learning each quant and verbal topic individually and then practicing each topic until you’ve obtained mastery? Once I learn some more specifics about your study plan, I can provide some further advice. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following article:

Hi Scott,

thank you for your answer. I read your article and I realized that I'm in Phase III. I don't follow a certain plan and I believe that's my problem. There are so much material and I have the Kaplan book, Magoosh subscription, MGMAT books (they're old however) and I'm so lost because I don't know where to start and how many hours I should be studying per day. I also had a very good tutor but I took 3 classes with him because it didn't seem that we followed a plan so I was lost again because I didn't know where I stand. I really need to get this done in 30 days and get 600. By the way I also took IELTS and got 8 but I think it doesn't change anything. Do you know what exactly I should do now? Besides I have terrible anxiety about the preparation because I don't have much time left.

Kamile

Posted from my mobile device

Businessconquerer · Answer

How is my service different?
For starters it is free, the operating costs are so low that I am able to provide services for free for a pretty long time. 
I don't tutor them, I understand their issue and speak with them in person to get to know an idea of what they truly desire and check what would fit them best.
I direct them to all the right places, if you know where to look you have a lot of resources that you don't need to purchase. I don't work on any commission and the places I direct them to don't require them to make any payments either.
With Tutoring? There are plenty out there, I have tried 6 different tutors. I have found a lot of Indian coachings helpful. Magoosh is very unrealistic in helping you prepare (personal observation- #opinion). Manhattan was way too rushed and not structured. I can go on endorsing the coachings but thats not the thing.

The official GMAT questions have a certain tone about them, and by far, Math revolution is the only one that captured the gist of that. All others just want you to solve the problem, Mathrevolution shows you how to think it through (not endorsing here, it is just a fact). I have not tried target test prep yet so I can't say much more about it.

GMAT quant is not hard
It is tricky, as soon as my clients understand that, they score definitely above Q45 and on average Q47 in my case

Similarly in verbal,
 major issue is coming down to two options... 
Coachings have imparted the knowledge, but that two option thing is all on the person. It is how logically the person can think. Also woth my service there is an option of sharing the resources.
Some of the clients have generously shared a lot of resources e.g questions list they found useful on GMAT Club, error logs and stuff that can actually help future clients.

As a man who spent 5 LACS INR in overall B-school process, I think I paid way too much for what I got in return. The services are truly overpriced and it is really not worth the money spent. I am not going to name it, but the services on application consulting are only high because of their organisational structure, they have too high operating costs which they charge to their clients, but in my case, I can take care of the costs easily for a much long period. Those costs save my clients a lot of money and as long as the clients don't lack humility, I am happy to provide them my services. And dare I say I have a 100% happiness rating currently.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi kamrim322,

If the deadline has been extended to July, then that's great news! That extra time to study for - and take - the Official GMAT will give you a far better chance to hit your Goal Score. You'll still need to be efficient with your studies going forward, but the improvement that you're looking for is far more realistic under this new timeframe.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
2) Does RSM have any other 'requirements' (for example, a minimum percentile in either the Quant or Verbal section)?

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

kamrim322 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thanks for your reply.
 
1) I can definitely study 2-3 hours every working day + 5-7 hours on weekends.
2) As for requirements, they just ask for 600 minimum score.

I also wanted to point out that I prefer verbal part than quant because I am naturally better at languages and I have never been good at math.

I believe I can commit and study for as much as I set my mind to but I’m just strugling to come up with a study plan that I could stick to and follow.

Kamile

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kamile,

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes and questions.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Kamile,

Have you considered using a resource that provides a detailed and structured study plan? Also, there is no way you can push your test to a later date and apply during a later round?

kamrim322 · Answer

Hi Scott,

I tried following Magoosh 30 day plan but I just didn't like it and couldn't stick to it. In regards to pushing the test date, I just found out that due to Coronavirus the deadline has been extended until July, which means I have more time to prepare but I would still need a strategy. I forgot to mention that I also have Kaplan book. Thank you.

Kamile

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

I got 470 after studying for 2 months but I need to get 600

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards