Jumping from 450 to 600!

Question

Hi everyone,

I sat for the GMAT in Nov 2017 and got a score of 440 (Q32, V18).

I practiced for nearly 2 months: quants problems (Horacio named them “Speedbags”) and verbal problems from the 2018 OG.

Today, I took a practice exam from mba.com and got 450 (Q35, V18). Only 10 points of improvement!

I must be doing something wrong. All I need is a score of 600.

I’d really appreciate it if anyone can help with a plan to jump in my score from 450 to 600?

Thanks,
AlBader

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rbsusa · Answer

Buddy, you need to consult good GMAT Prep company. go through the review on gmatclub.com for more details about GMAT Prep Course.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AlBader,

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, these 2 score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 450 +/- a few points). This is meant to say that you are consistent with how you approach the Exam - so to hit your Score Goal, you cannot continue to study in the same ways as before. Raising a 450 to a 600+ will likely take at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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) What study materials have you used so far?
2) Have you taken any other practice CATs? How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
3) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

albader · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your reply, and I'm looking forward to your advice.

Here is the information you asked me for:

Studies:

1) What study materials have you used so far?
I went through the first book of the Manhattan Prep set (Roadmap book) and the Sentence Correction books. Then I joined a GMAT bootcamp taught by Horacio Quiroga: a 4 weeks course, 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. After the course, I took the exam for the first time in Nov 2017 and scored 440 (Q32, V18), then I practiced the "Speedbags" quants problems from Horacio's materials and practiced for verbal from the 2018 OG.

2) Have you taken any other practice CATs? How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
Other than the CAT mentioned in my original post of this thread, I've taken Manhattan Prep CAT in Jun 2017 and scored 410 (Q29, V17).

Goals:
3) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
I have an exam booked for 31-Jan-2018, but most probably I'll cancel it as it's clear from the CAT that I took today that I'm very far from reaching my goal of scoring 600. I need to get to the score of 600 by 15-Apr-2018.

4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
I'm already admitted to a business school, and am doing the GMAT for the scholarship.

5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
IE Business School.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AlBader,

When we include that practice CAT that you took last June (the 410), this adds further evidence that you continue to 'see' (and respond to) the GMAT in the same general ways every time you take an Exam - and your current 'ability level' continues to be in the low-400s (around 430 +/- a few points). It's possible that you've developed some 'bad habits' that are keeping you from scoring higher (and will take time to 'fix' - and ultimately replace with new 'good habits').

If you have up until April 15th to retake the GMAT, then you have about 2.5 months of potential study time. While you could certainly improve a great deal in that time, you will have to be really 'efficient' with your studies to lock in a 600+ score by that date.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

albader · Answer

I can spend 2 hours a day in week days and 4 hours a day in weekends, this means 18 hours a week.
By the way, 15-Apr-2018 is so I can join the September 2018 intake. If I failed to do that, I can join the January 2019 intake and the deadline to score 600 in GMAT will then be 15-Aug-2018.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AlBader,

If you currently have an Official GMAT appointment scheduled for January 31st, then it's too late to cancel it - so you might as well take the Exam (do your best though; you'll be able to use that experience to better plan for your next attempt). I suggest that you keep your studies light for the next few days (NO "CATs" and NO 'cramming'), try to get some extra rest and then take the GMAT. Afterwards, you should report back here with your Scores and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

albader · Answer

I have already cancelled my exam for the 31-Jan.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AlBader,

For future reference, you could have taken the GMAT as scheduled - and then cancelled your score after you had completed the Test (that way, you would have known how you scored, but no Schools would have known about it).

Given everything that you have described, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a longer, more-structured GMAT Course of some kind (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our site (www.empowergmat.com) and you would likely find the 3-month Study Plan the best fit for your needs. I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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

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

albader · Answer

Thank you!

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egmat · Answer

albader – Congratulations on securing an admit from IE Business school. I agree with Rich that you will benefit from a structure and regimen that a course enables. You will need to put in approx. 120 hours of prep time to improve to 600.

Create a path to the your goal

Are you looking to score a (Q46, V28), or a (Q48, V25), or a (Q42, V33)? Where you spend time, the extent of mastery that you study to, etc. depend on your target Quant and Verbal scores. Given that you already have a Q32 on the official test, I recommend that you aim for (Q46, V28). A Q46 will also impart the required Quant proficiency to do well in the first year of your MBA.

Create an improvement plan to 600
Write to me at rajat (at) e-gmat.com if you need a customized study plan to improve to 600. Also attend the webinar this Saturday Feb 3rd to learn how to build a trackable plan.
https://e-gmat.com/strategy-session-2/? ... ontent=GSB

-Rajat

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