Improvement in SC

Question

Hello guys!

I am taking the GMAT in 3 weeks and it seems that I am a bit stuck with my scores.

On the practice exams I took I scored 630 (Q43, V33), 630 (Q42, V34), 610 (Q47, V27) and 630 (Q45, V31).

I know where my problems in the Math section lie and I am not worried about that.
In the Verbal section I am always good in the RC and CR, but my SC scores are just terrible. I have worked through the Manhattan Guides, the GMAT 800 and all the Official Guides, but I can not get my SC scores above 60%.

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Many thanks in advance!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi marcoelmanchi,

To score at a relatively 'high level' in SCs, you need a combination of knowledge (grammar/idiom rules) and Tactics (pattern-matching, knowing the common types of wrong answers, etc.). If your SC performance isn't improving, then you have to look at what materials you've been using and how you've been using them.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) What materials have you been using?
3) What is your overall score goal?

4) When you take your CATs, do you have trouble finishing the Verbal section on time (and do you have to rush through questions at the end?)?
5) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC prompt?

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

marcoelmanchi · Answer

Hey EMPOWERgmat,

thank you for your quick response!

1) I have been studying for about 7 weeks. (Verbal for about 4 weeks, because I started with Quant)

2) For Math I used the Manhattan Guides, the OG and the Tests from the GMAT Club (which are great)
For Verbal I used Manhattan Guides, the OG, GMAT 800. I did not do a lot of RC or CR, because I usually score above 80% on those. So my main problem lies within the SC. (Average of 48% in the past exams)

3) My overall goal is 700+. So i really need an extra 100 points on my scores.

4) No I actually do not have any problems finishing on time. I do not have the feeling that timing is the problem.

5) My approach is:
I first read the sentence and try to get the meaning of it. While doing that I try to find obvious design points. Then i try to find a split and narrow it down to 2 or 3 choices. 
I think that I am not lacking the basic knowledge. I often narrow it down to two choices and then make a false decision.

What do you recommend?

Marco

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi marcoelmanchi,

If your goal is to raise your score 100 points, then you're going to have to improve your skills in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections (and not just in SC). Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) on their studies before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's possible that you just have not put in enough time and energy yet. That having been said, you've also taken a 'book-heavy' study approach so far, and many Test Takers get 'stuck' at a particular score level when studying in that way. Considering that all of your scores are in the low-600s, THAT might be what has happened to you.

Given all of these factors, and the limited timeframe that you have left, I think that you should consider pushing back your Test Date and investing in some new non-book resources. I think that with another 1-2 months of consistent, guided study, you could hit your score goals.

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Sentence correction questions test your knowledge about certain rules and can be improved upon easily
When you start solving the question, paying attention to certain things can minimize your mistakes.

1. Identify the subject and verb
2. Check for S-V agreement
3. Check for parallelism
4. Tenses used in the sentence
5. Usage of certain words: such as vs like, if vs whether, that vs which etc.

Keeping these things in mind while solving a question will ensure better accuracy.

From the mock scores, I feel that you can a scope of improvement in the Quants section too if you identify your problem areas.
Also, go through yours notes/theory book and revise the concepts.

In addition, if you have an error log, go through it else make one right away. Note down the incorrect problems and why did you miss them.
Post this, write down any new lesson that you learnt by going through the explanation of the question. This will ensure that you do not repeat a mistake.

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey marcoelmanchi,

The SC section is the easiest verbal section to make improvements on. Once you understand how to think and approach this question type, there are only so many ways you can be tested. Here at GMAT Pill we developed the 10 core frameworks which detail the 10 ways to approach GMAT sentence corrections.

Here is a sample video detailing one of the core frameworks: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... stion/2184

nahid78 · Answer

For SC manhattan SC guide is the best one.

broall · Answer

First, I agree with EMPOWERgmatRichC that you just started studying GMAT recently and you could postpone your test date until you are ready. Also, you practiced the test too often (4 times in just 7 weeks) and this did not help you impove your score well.

Second, I think that to get 700, you need to improve both quant and verbal score (at least Q49 or Q50 and V39 or V40).

Now, to improve SC section, I want to ask you some questions. 
1. Did you feel stressful while taking the test? 
For example, it takes you too long (e.g. over 2 mins) to finish a SC question and this makes you feel worried,...

2. How did you narrow it down to two choices?
3. Why did you narrow down to two choices then make a false decision?
In each SC question, there is only correct answer while other choices contains some grammatically mistakes. Why did you narrow down to two choices? I mean if you know what kind of thing the SC question wants to test, then it is easy to find out the correct answer.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi,

Trace out your weaknesses in SC practice them frequently review all the questions you have practiced, make an error log to trace your weak ares.

rohan2345 · Answer

I believe you may benefit from taking an additional course in SC. If you are willing, there are some great GMAT prep companies that can help you with your preparation.

In order to make an informed decision I would highly encourage you to go to their websites and try on their free trial and decide for yourself which one do you like better. You can try out the free access to Magoosh, Optimus Prep, and Empowergmat as all of them have great reviews on GMATCLUB. Here is a link for your perusal. https://gmatclub.com/reviews/gmat_courses?fl=menu

Also I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives and they are both within your budget. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can also try out the MGMAT SC guide it is phenomenal and cover the entire section in detail.

Lastly I would also encourage you to purchase the latest version of OG and the verbal review for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... 68383.html

Hope this helps. All the best.

vksriram1988 · Answer

I am also facing the same issue. I have scheduled my GMAT for Sep 12th, 2017. I am doing better in Quants with an average of 46-47. But in Verbal its never crossing 30

Can somebody suggest how to improve RC

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vksriram1988,

Most of the posts in this thread are over 3 months old, so you might want to start your own new thread and provide a bit more detail about your situation (how you've been studying, the study material that you've used, etc.). 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 long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

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

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

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