Inconsistent Practice Test Scores

Question

Hello Team,

My exam is scheduled for May 30th. I took my 6 practice test and I am feeling like the GMAT is beating me. Below is a breakdown of my 5 practice test scores. I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what I should be doing for the next 20 days. I know my verbal section is weak. I have been utilizing the OG books for verbal (scoring roughly 80% within each section). I have also been utilizing the GMAT Club tests for the quant (been very helpful).

I take all my tests under real game situations: no music, full length tests, no pausing, only 8 minute breaks, etc.

March 4: Economist 1: 540 Quant 37 Verbal 29

April 6: Economist 2: 630 Quant 44 Verbal 34

April 16: Veritas 1: 600 Quant 43 Verbal 30

April 25: Economist 3: 710 Quant 49 Verbal 40

May 2: GMAT Prep 1: 660 Quant 49 Verbal 30

May 9: GMAT Prep 2: 580 Quant 47 Verbal 24

I am really hoping that yesterday's test was a one off situation. I appreciate any advice given to me.

Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi absaleh,

Your CAT scores include one 'outlier' (the 710), which we can't consider the norm. Ignoring your initial CAT (when you had done far less studying than when you took your latter CATs), your "level" appears to be in the low to mid-600s.

I'd like to know a bit more about how you took these CATs:
1) Did you complete the Essay and IR sections EVERY TIME?
2) What time of day did you take each CAT? What time of day is your Official GMAT?
3) Did you take the CATs at your home or some other location?
4) What do you do during the two 8-minute breaks?

The inconsistency in your Verbal scores points to an inconsistency in your tactics. In the Verbal section, how often are you "narrowing it down to 2 choices and then 'guessing'? If that's how you handle most questions, then THAT is a big part of your inconsistency. The OG books are great sources for practice questions but they're not designed to teach you tactics, the common types of wrong answers that show up on Test Day or the little 'secrets' that are built into the GMAT. Depending on your score goals, you might need to invest in some additional resources (and possibly push back your Test Date).

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

accountingnerd · Answer

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC,

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

1) I did complete the Essay and IR sections each time. Even though the Economist doesn't offer the Essay and IR section in its CAR, I utilized other resources for that those CATS.

2) I took the CATs at around 12PM each time (the same time of day my Official GMAT is at).

3) I took my CATs at the library or in the office on the weekend when no one was around.

4) During the two 8 minute breaks I walked around the area for a couple of minutes while eating a snack to feed the brain.

About 60% of the time I am down to two answers. At this point, I am not entirely sure what to do from here. I feel confident that in 20 days I can get a 49 in Quant, but there is a huge question mark on the Verbal section.

I took Official GMAT last September and received a 640 ( Quant 47 and 32 in Verbal). I would be extremely happy if I can just bring them both up by 2 points.

I look forward to hearing from you.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi absaleh,

You could very well hit your score goals in the time that you have remaining. However, as you score at a higher and higher level, the GMAT becomes more and more 'sensitive' to little mistakes, so you really have to focus on the 'precision' in your work/note-taking/attention-to-detail/etc.

To that end, when you reviewed your last CAT, how many questions did you find that you COULD have gotten correct, but did NOT because of a little mistake? THOSE questions represent the immediate (and arguably easiest) solution to your problem.

Do you have any room to push back your Test Date (even if it's just a few weeks or a month)? That extra time would give you a better chance to learn/practice some new tactics and hone your skills.

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

accountingnerd · Answer

Hi Rich,

I appreciate the feedback. Correcting easy mistakes is something I can do on the Quant section, same goes for a few SC and CR questions. I don't think I am comfortable enough with the Verbal section, especially Reading Comp. I have not neglected studying for the Verbal. I think I may have gotten too comfortable with the Verbal questions from the prep company I used to study for the exam that the Official GMAT Verbal looks worse than what it is (not to undermine the Verbal section).

I moved the exam back to June 27 (only next available Saturday I could find). I don't want to leave anything to chance when I retake the test for the final time before I begin the application process. I actually signed up for your services just now. Going to utilize the Verbal section.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi absaleh,

You've made some very smart, diligent choices so I think that you're all the more likely to succeed. Given your strengths, I'd suggest that you focus on the Verbal materials and the Tactical Modules in the EMPOWERgmat Course. You can also use any of the Quant materials that you see fit. If you have any questions during your studies, then you can feel free to contact me or the support team (at [email protected])

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

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