Inconsistent scoring

Question

Hi all,

I've been preparing for GMAT since March and have mine scheduled on August 31. My practice test scores are as follows:

Veritas : 520
Manhattan 1 : q44 v 28 : 570
GMAT prep 1 : q47 v 28 :620
Manhattan 2: q45 v33:640
GMAT prep : reattempt q48 v20 :560

I'm highly disappointed. While I was thinking I'll score more on this test as I'm nearing a 700. I'm highly Disappointed and feeling low in confidence as my exam is just a month away and cannot decide what caused my verbal scores to drop so down.

Help !

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi vinnisatija,

Although your practice scores are a bit inconsistent, they do indicate that you're making the same mistakes each time, which tells me you've developed some bad habits that are keeping you from improving. That being said, I'm curious to know the following:

1) What materials have you used to study leading up to this point?
2) Were each of these tests full-length, and timed?
3) When do you want to apply for business school?

If you're not already using online resources to train yourself in specific test-taking strategies, that should be something you should consider. However, we'll cross that bridge once we know more about how you've studied to this point.

Best,
Rich

vinnisatija · Answer

Hi,

I have been using Manhattan SC and CR guides. I've completed the OG '15 and verbal and quant review from GMAC. Also i solve questions from GMAT Club.

Also , I have high fluctuations in verbal scores. The tests are timed and I give them once a week.

Please advice what could have gone wrong. I am applying for the coming year.

Thanks

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Unfortunately, many people experience wide swings in their verbal scores. To keep these under control, it's extremely important that you stay on top of the clock. Did you run out of time on some of those lower-scored tests?

Additionally, it's important to get very systematic in the way you approach the problems. For instance, on CR it's important to analyze the argument up front and know what you're looking for before you start working through the answer choices. Similarly, on RC you need to make sure that you're reading actively, stopping to consider how each part of the passage fits into the author's overall point and purpose. Then, when you're asked a specific question, you need to go back, find the answer, and prephrase that answer in your own words before hitting the answer choices.

However, even with all that in place, you may find that your verbal score varies a bit more than your quant score. For that reason, it's important that you keep studying quant. If you can get a Q48, that can "absorb" a little of the damage if you underperform on verbal on test day.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vinnisatija,

From what you described, it sounds like you've done lots of practice questions, but it's unclear what TACTICS you're using when you face the Verbal section.

1) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?
2) Do you know how to define/spot the common wrong answers that show up on RC and CR questions?
3) Do you know how to use the answer choices to your advantage on SCs?

Inconsistency in the Verbal section almost certainly means inconsistency in the work that you do (and possibly some 'holes' in your knowledge). Thankfully, all of this can be improved, but it might take more time than you've allotted.

1) What is your score goal?
2) When you took these CATs, did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?

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

vinnisatija · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for replying. Here are the answers to your questions:

1) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?

I am okay with CR. Weaken and strengthen questions are fine however I sometimes struggle with assumptions questions.
I struggle with passages dealing with American History and something that I noticed in my last test was that all 3 passages were from American History.Moreover they came right at the end of the verbal section when you are almost exhausted.

SC: I am clear with the basic concepts of pronouns,parallelism and sentence formation but do make mistakes when it comes to advanced sentences.
2) Do you know how to define/spot the common wrong answers that show up on RC and CR questions?

Well no. I would certainly need some help in that.
 
3) Do you know how to use the answer choices to your advantage on SCs?.

No. Not really.

Inconsistency in the Verbal section almost certainly means inconsistency in the work that you do (and possibly some 'holes' in your knowledge). Thankfully, all of this can be improved, but it might take more time than you've allotted.

1) What is your score goal? 700 
2) When you took these CATs, did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?Yes I took the full CATs each time . I score a good 6-7 in IR.AWA seems like a cake walk too.
Verbal is something I have issues with.

Looking forward to a response.

Thanks,
Vinni

vinnisatija · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for replying. Here are the answers to your questions:

1) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?

I am okay with CR. Weaken and strengthen questions are fine however I sometimes struggle with assumptions questions.
I struggle with passages dealing with American History and something that I noticed in my last test was that all 3 passages were from American History.Moreover they came right at the end of the verbal section when you are almost exhausted.

SC: I am clear with the basic concepts of pronouns,parallelism and sentence formation but do make mistakes when it comes to advanced sentences.
2) Do you know how to define/spot the common wrong answers that show up on RC and CR questions?

Well no. I would certainly need some help in that.
 
3) Do you know how to use the answer choices to your advantage on SCs?.

No. Not really.

Inconsistency in the Verbal section almost certainly means inconsistency in the work that you do (and possibly some 'holes' in your knowledge). Thankfully, all of this can be improved, but it might take more time than you've allotted.

1) What is your score goal? 700 
2) When you took these CATs, did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?Yes I took the full CATs each time . I score a good 6-7 in IR.AWA seems like a cake walk too.
Verbal is something I have issues with.

Looking forward to a response.

Thanks,
Vinni

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vinnisatija,

This last CAT score is odd - normally, when a Test Taker re-uses a CAT, the scores are 'inflated', but that didn't happen here. You might have just had a 'bad day', but it also makes me question if you're been taking your CATs in an unrealistic way.

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take them at home?
2) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
3) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, take longer breaks, listen to music, etc.)?

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

vinnisatija · Answer

Hi Rich,

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take them at home?

Yes I did

2) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?

Yes
3) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day.

No pauses no breaks at all

seems like i did have a bad day after all

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi vinnisatija,

Given everything you've described, it sounds like you've been doing lots of practicing problems and trying to 'self-teach' methods for dealing with them. That type of approach rarely leads to a high score in the Verbal section, since there are so many little patterns, tips and 'secrets' that you won't necessarily learn by working in this way. As such, I think that you'll find the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, so it would fit your schedule perfectly. During that time, you'll also be able to access any of the Quant resources that interest you. We have a variety of free resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com), so that you can 'test out' the materials before you set up an account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

MV23 · Answer

Vinnisatija,
I would recommend kaplan 800. It wasn't great for quant but I really liked the way they laid out the verbal strategies. Keep in mind though that what worked for me might not work for you.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hello vinnsatija,

Is it possible that you are having timing issues? Do you have an approach to each question type in verbal? Do you find yourself reading and rereading questions and struggling to make sense of the information? Lacking strategy and rereading questions can really eat up your time. Accuracy comes from being able to answer the question with as much clarity as you can. Clarity is not easy when the clock is ticking, especially when an RC passage appears on the screen in the last minutes of the exam. When you look back on your tests do you see how easily you could have answered the questions under normal conditions? Or is it more than you're missing specific question types? The latter requires more content review of specific topics and practice on those topics. A good place to start would be to review your tests and decide if it's a timing issue, a content issue, or a bit of both.

I hope that helps!

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