In desperate need of a plan?

Question

Hi, This is for anyone who can help me !

I recently took GMAT and got 600. I prepared for quite some time however I did so regularly and seriously for around 2 months. I plan to take the test again after 3 months. What should be my approach? I am looking for as close to 700 as possible! My background and what i did so far? * Took magoosh and almost exhausted its question bank * It was my solo source of preparation, All my theory and understanding came from the video lessons that it had to offer. * I also solved OG questions though not everything. * My OG test scores were 620 and 620. * I am a non native speaker and consider myself good at maths. However, As of now i would say I am stronger in verbal than quants. *I just can't seem to finish Quants section and always get stuck on one question and waste time (100 % knowing that its time to move on!) What should be my next steps? Should i take the online egmat course or stick to magoosh and just practice. My exam was last week, took a break of 1 week and plan to resume my studies now.

sananoor · Answer

Hi,
If you arn't able to complete quant in given time then it means somehow your basics arn't strong...why you haven't completed Og and Quant review? Try to solve all the quant questions from OG and Quant review and review your mistakes. 
For strategy guide
1) Manhattan books are good for basics
2) gmatclub quant book (Geometry, Coordinate Geometry and Number theory are very well written)
For practcie
1) OG and Quant review
2) Gmatclub quant tests

Dont forget to get Question pack from mba.com.

I have used Ian Stewart's Number property, stats and counting books and these three helped me a lot. Try Veritas mocks and gmat exam packs. Initially give one mock every weekend and once you are done with your prep and practice try to give 2 to 3 mocks each week.

Best,

DAVEexamPAL · Answer

krish76  you're in a good position - you have a lot of time, and the improvement you're going for is realistic. What you need now is a structured study plan, not more rote question solving. 
Start by figuring out, based on your test and study so far, what you are weakest at. Quant is a good start, but get more specific - what topics do you find challenging? Is it a specific kind of question that keeps confusing you? What is your central challenge? 
Build a study plan based on these insights - devote time to what you are weakest at. If it's the fundamentals of specific topics - study them. If you know the material fine but keep confusing the same things - spend some time thinking what strategies you can adopt to improve this. 
Since you are a non-native speaker, I would also suggest incorporating English newspaper and magazine into your daily schedule. 
 Here is a blog post on improvement after already taking the test 
 Here is one about building a 3-month study plan

krish76 · Answer

Thanks Folks! I get what you are saying. I will probably do the OG first now, I did not do it earlier as the questions seems on them seems to be mostly around easy moderate difficulty level.
Still unsure on Manhattan strategy books - Since i am not starting from 0 and already have some study tiem and a test under my belt, are they good for 700 level? do you suggest anything else?

pushpitkc · Answer

Hi  krish76

I think you should focus to improving your Quant scores to the Q49 range 
and try and push harder to get your verbal score to V40.

These posts might come in handy to improve your scores

1. V30 -> V40  
2. Q44 -> Q50

Make it a point to write down why you get questions wrong and read this learning 
from time to time. Maintaining an error-log will go a long way in improving your score

Hope this helps you.

krish76 · Answer

Actually, This is my ESR. Can you take a look and provide some tailored suggestions?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi krish76,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your 2 CAT scores - along with your Official GMAT Score - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 600 +/- a few points). Raising a 600 to a 700+ will likely take at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, you appear to have given yourself plenty of time to continue studying - which is good. Now you have to commit to a consistent study routine with an emphasis on learning and practicing the proper Tactics.

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) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

While the ESR doesn't provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong (and what you should work on to score higher). If you send me your full ESR (through email or you can PM it to me), then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

krish76 · Answer

Thank you , Any suggestion on resource would help. For now, I am set on getting Manhattan prep strategy books and OG (i did not exhaust them the first time!)

ESR - I am not allowed to post a link since i am new. PM'ed you

gmat prep test - 620 (Q44V31)
gmat prep test 2 - 550 (Q36V30)
GMAT - 600 600 (Q40V33)

2) i can consistently study 2 hours mon-fri. and 5-6 hours on weekend
3) 2019
4) undecided

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