Improving GMAT score

Question

Dear Experts.

I have been studying for the gmat for the last 3 months and so far my highest score is 580 Q37 V32 (manhattan CAT). Because this is not high enough I decided to reschedule my exam and now I have until 13.2.2015 time to improve my gmat. My goal is to score at least at least 650. 
So far I used only official guides. I would be very grateful for any advice or tips how to do it most efficiently.

THANK YOU !!!

peljas · Answer

I was using only official guide 13, verbal and quant review. I was very stupid to do all the exercises in those without any studying of the concepts. That is how i wasted my first months. Then I was following some guides that i found on the gmatclub. This was not a structured approach and that is why i failed.

My scores: 
GMATprep 1 (4.9.2014): score 320 Q20 V14 - i did it without any studies 
GMATprep 2 (19.9.2014): score 420 Q22 V25 
Kaplan (17.10.2014): score 490 
Veritas (31.10.2014): score 590 Q39 V33 
Economist (10.11.2014): score 460 Q32 V23 
Manhattan (15.11.2014): score 500 Q39 V20 - i left the last 15 questions on the test not answered because my computer crashed. 
GMATprep 1 (18.11.2014): score 460 Q36 V21 
GMATprep 2 (22.11.2014) score 530 Q32 V30 
Manhattan (26.11.2014): score 580 Q37 V32

My test was scheduled on 5.12.2014. 
Most of the time i took everything but the essay

I study from Monday to Sunday with Sundays off. For the last month i was studying from 08:00 until 18:00 with one hour break. I did not use a structured approach and quality study sources and that is why I failed.

manyatpr · Answer

Hi,

Try this (in case you have not tried it yet) and hopefully your scores should start moving up. More important than giving the mock test, it is how analyse the same and how much time you spend on it. Typically if you spend 2 hours on a mock test, spend at least 4-5 hours on analyzing your performance. Go through all the questions and try to find out better, smarter and a faster way to do them. Take a note of all the points and then apply the same in the next test. If you do this consistently, you will see your scores moving up over a period of time.

Also, are you studying alone or have joined any coaching institute or may be a study group. Reason we ask is because studying in a group always has a positive impact on your performance as it keep your preparation in check and motivated at all times.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any further queries and we would be happy to advice.

Wish you the best.

phimat47 · Answer

Hi experts, 
I have spent almost a year now trying to beat the GMAT. I prepped with Veritas in 2012 but scored a 490 in 03/ 2012. After that, I felt discouraged and wanted to start from scratch(for another Bachelor). In February this year, I made up my mind that I should try to beat the GMAT. So i decided to prep. with Veritas again but they wanted me to pay half of the tuition fee since I had already exceeded the one year retake period.Dissatisfied with this fee, I decided on self studying with hopes to ace my score. In March, I researched for Good Gmat books and happened to see a number of them. I ended up buying Manhattan books since I have already had Veritas materials. In addition, I bought sentence correction Bible, Critical Reasoning Bible, Kaplan Gmat Workbooks(Math & Verbal) and Total Gmat by Jeff Sachman. I am taking my test on the 12/20/14. Unfortunately, I am looking for a 550 but just scoring 510-540 for Manhattan and 450-470 with Gmat prep. Honestly, sometimes, I become confuse which of the materials to use. This has hindered my studies in part . Please guys advise accordingly what to do. I am a non-native with a slight advantage in quant. over verbal. I am scoring between 37-39 in Quant and 18- 24 in verbal. Please help out

GMATPill · Answer

As you study OG questions, we recommend following along our video solutions here: www.gmatpill.com/official-guide-gmat/

Also, if you would like to test yourself, we recommend our online computer adaptive test: www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-test/practice-test
If your internet connection gets lost during the test for whatever reason, you will have the option to resume the test later.

JTuquero · Answer

Hi Peljas

Are you keeping an error log? As mentioned earlier in this chat thread, analyzing your mistakes and spotting performance trends is an important part of your preparation. It's also vital in overcoming your weaknesses on the GMAT. There are a few chat threads on this forum that provides guidance on best way to analyze your performance. I recommend taking a look at them!

Best of luck in February. 
Jessica

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