Improve V31 to V35-36

Question

Hello,

I'm trying to improve my Verbal from low 30s to mid 30s, since my test day day is yet to be on the first week of November I still have a little time to practice. I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips that you guys might have.

First I'm gonna explain what I've been doing so far so you can help me to understand in which part my strategy is faltering.
I finished the e-gmat course on my first GMAT attempt and I only managed to score in low 30s, however, now I believe I'm a little bit better overall. My strongest section is SC and according to the scholoranium indicator I'm able to get 80% on mid level questions (600-700) and almost 50%-60% on the hard ones(700+). Regarding CR, I'm in the 60s% on mid level questions and maybe 40-50% on hard questions. Finally, RC (my weakest section), on the good days I might get 3 outta 4 questions good and in my bad days i might get all wrong

; however, I only try the 700 level passages (OG).

I've read in some post that in order to get V35+, one must be able to get 50% of 700+ questions, so that's another question that I have. What accuracy should I have on mid level and 700 questions, and how many questions should I try daily?

Furthermore, I've been a slow reader my whole life and I don't think that's gonna improve, and though English is my second language, I'm fully submerged on the language since I'm a resident.

I appreciate any help or insight you guys can share.

; however, I only try the 700 level passages (OG). I've read in some post that in order to get V35+, one must be able to get 50% of 700+ questions, so that's another question that I have. What accuracy should I have on mid level and 700 questions, and how many questions should I try daily? Furthermore, I've been a slow reader my whole life and I don't think that's gonna improve, and though English is my second language, I'm fully submerged on the language since I'm a resident. I appreciate any help or insight you guys can share.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Sergio,

To get to a level of 700, you need to get the easy-medium questions right. If you make mistakes in 600-700 level questions, you will not likely get 700 level questions on your test. Having said that, no matter how difficult the question is, if you know the right methodology to solve it, you should be able to get it right. So, I suggest you to learn the methodology first and then practice a few questions to solidify that methodology.

I understand that shedding your old methods and inculcating the new ones can be a tiresome process. But you have to be patient in the initial stages and learn the exact methodology. You might take a little more time in the initial stages but that is completely ok. The focus should be on getting the answer right. Once you consistently get the questions right, then you can start taking timed quizzes.

If you need any suggestion regarding the methodology to solve RC questions, then you can go through the following recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQl95zpCLKI

Hope it helped! Feel free to write back if you have any more queries. All the best!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider regularly reading articles from The Economist

sergio1290 · Answer

Appreciate your help.

I’m not aiming for a 700, though I do want to stretch my score as close as possible to 700. I’m currently aiming to a 680, and since I score a 650 (Q48, V31), I was hoping to be able to improve a couple of points on Verbal, hence my question relating the accuracy on 700+ questions.

Regarding RC, I happen to read a lot from the economist to the Washington Post, so lack of reading is not my problem; however, my reading speed is an issue. I’ve learned that when I read at my own pace I can fully understand, though I could take a long time (12 min for a long 4 qs passage) any passage, but when I’m being timed it’s another story.

Thanks again for your insight

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sergio1290,

To start, over the course of your studies, you have improved from a 470 to a 650 - and that's a fantastic achievement! In a prior post, you stated that 650 was your Score Goal (and a 650/Q48 is listed in your profile). Did you actually earn that Score on an Official GMAT or just on a practice CAT/mock?

In addition:
1) Over the last 3 months, on what 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)?
2) What are your current application plans? Are you facing any immediate application deadlines?

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

sergio1290 · Answer

Appreciate your response, it was a great personal achievement indeed.
To answer your question first, Yes, I took the GMAT and scored a 650(Q48, V31); however, I didn't get to apply to the school of my choice (Georgetown) last intake, mainly because I wasn't in the range and also because COVID-19 was getting stronger. So, I'm hoping to get 680 or so in the next couple of months and give it a shot.

1) I started studying again about a month and half ago, though I took a Veritas CAT at the beginning of my prep to know where I'm at. I score a 660 (Q48, V33), though I'm not quite confident about the accuracy of Veritas' tests. Also, I got one last GMAT Prep test, but I was hoping to use it before the real test. I'm not sure whether I should be saving it for the last or use it right now.
Since I'm taking the whole e-gmat course all over again, I'm waiting to finish it and then I'll begin to take the CATs. I don't know if it's a good strategy, but I feel that if I rush into the CATs right know, I'm not gonna be able to retain the process of every section.

2) If a do get the score that I'm aiming for, I was planning to apply for the second round (January 6th), otherwise, I'd have to wait for the 3rd round. I'm planning to take the GMAT online probably on the last days of November or first days of December. Do you think I'm gonna be able to achieve V35-36 on the next couple of months?
Also, I work full time, so I can only invest 2 hours on weekdays and 6 on weekends.

Thanks for your kind help

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sergio1290,

You're actually closer to a V35 than you probably realize - but if you're taking that same course again, then it's important to define what you will be doing 'differently' this time. If you're not actively making changes/improvements to how you handle RC, SC and CR, then you will likely score at the same general level that you did before.

Since your planned Test Date is less than two months away, you should be taking practice CATs/mocks at regular intervals and under realistic conditions that match what you will face when you take the Official GMAT. For example, the 'format' of the At-home GMAT is "fixed" (Quant, then Verbal - with no break in-between, then an optional 5-minute break, then IR). Having to take Quant and Verbal in one sitting is challenging for many GMATers (especially if you've been taking your CATs with an 8-minute break between sections). If you want to take the At-home GMAT, then you will have to be really rigorous about how you take your CATs going forward (so that you can get used to that format) - and you should plan to take a NEW CAT every 1-2 weeks (and not wait until the 'end' of your studies).

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

sergio1290 · Answer

Appreciate your insight.

I do plan to take the GMaT online, however, I was not aware of the fact that the online version didn’t allow me to change the order of the test (I’ve always begun with Verbal). I guess I don’t have much of an option because here in America there’re no appointments for the regular gmat until next year I guess.

Also, I finished the course a couple of days ago, and now I’m practicing on my timing. 
I’m gonna take 2 veritas CATs weekly and on the other days 10 SC, 10 CR and 2 passages, so I’m gonna leave my last gmat prep test for the last before my exam. Would you recommend that or should I try a different approach?

Thanks

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sergio1290,

A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically shouldn't take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. Going forward, you should not take more than 1 FULL CAT per week.

I suggest that you study as you like for the next week, then take a NEW CAT (in the same format as the At-home Exam, at the same time as your Exam, etc.). Once you have that Score, you should post back here (or you can feel free to PM me directly) and we can discuss the results.

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

sergio1290 · Answer

So, I took a Verita's CAT yesterday and my results were the following:

- 660 (Q49, V33, IR6)

% correct # correct # incorrect Pace per question
Overall 75% 27 9 01m 46s
Critical Reasoning 58% 7 5 01m 55s
Reading Comprehension 75% 9 3 02m 20s
Sentence Correction 92% 11 1 01m 03s

Though I took the exam trying to simulate the GMAT online conditions, I must say that it was brutal, Quant followed by Verbal without any pause really drained me. At the end of Verbal, I just want it to end, the last verbal questions even though weren't that hard, I just couldn't put my mind into them. I don't know if my stamina is not quite there yet, or if maybe I'm not made for this kind of pressure.

Anyway, the good thing is that I improve a little on Verbal, which is my weakness since the beginning; however, CR really slaughtered me, I don't know why i did so poorly, though I really improved in RC.

Going forward, how should I approach my studies? since apparently CR is now my weakest area. Also, does anybody know how accurate are the CATs from Veritas? are they reliable?.

Thanks

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Improve V31 to V35-36

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