Just cant score in gmat

Question

I have been trying for so long and just cant crack the gmat especially CR. CR is so damn difficult. There are infinite patterns. How many patterns does one need to learn. The question consists of long and complex sentences. Surprisingly my Rc is decent. I get 2 or 3 questions right per passage. But cr is doom for me.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi sid993,

Here is a helpful article that you can check out:

GMAT Critical Reasoning: 8 Essential Tips

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sid993,

Many GMATers find some aspect of the Verbal section to be challenging, so you're not alone. It takes time to hone all of the necessary skills to consistently score at a high level though - and that includes making mistakes along the way so that you can learn NOT to make those same mistakes in the future. The Verbal section of the GMAT is consistent and predictable though (and to address one of your comments - there are NOT "infinite" patterns in CR; you just need to train in a specific way to spot the relatively small number of patterns that can occur in CR).

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) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider labelling answer choices to recognize patterns better.

sid993 · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC 
I have taken the gmat thrice. Once in 2016.
2nd one this year on 25th may. I scored 620 V35 Q42(online)
3rd one ,on 26th august, my score shockingly dipped despite studying hard. I scored a 560 , v26 Q 42. (offline)
I am gunning for round 2 and I might have to slightly disagree with you. The exam is not at all predictable, especially cr. The timer also is a big burden on the exam
The language in cr is for somebody who has done a phd in english. Also if my cr was already top notch why would I need an mba in the first place. It is so frustrating

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sid993,

With a V26, you would have lost significant points in ALL 3 Verbal categories (RC, SC and CR) - so depending on your overall Score Goal, you will probably need to work on all of your Verbal skills. As far as CR is concerned though, GMAT question writers DO follow specific patterns (and you can train to take advantage of those patterns). For example, the idea of 'Causality' (re: one action causes a specific outcome to happen) is a CR pattern that you will likely see at least a couple of times on Test Day - AND there are easy/obvious ways to define what the causality is and strengthen/weaken it - depending on what the specific question is asking you to do. "A causes B", "C causes D" and "E causes F" are NOT 3 different ideas - it's one idea with the cause and effect 'pieces' swapped out. From what you describe, it does not sound as though you have been training to spot those patterns - so that's one of the areas that you'll need to work on going forward. Another would be to make sure that you're answering the specific question that is asked. While the information on your 3 prior Official attempts is certainly useful, you didn't really actually answer ANY of the questions that I asked in my prior post (other than saying that you're interested in Round 2). We can help you to score a lot higher in the Verbal section, but we need to define your prior studies in more detail so that we can make sure that you're following the proper Study Plan during this next phase of your studies.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

sid993 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC 
Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
I started studying from March this year and devoted 3 hours everyday. My hours increased in april, from 3 hrs per day to 4.

2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
Study materials- Gmat club questions and coaching materials.
CATS: Mgmat gmat club tests and mba.com

3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
From april - may
Mgmat tests
Test 1 580 v27 q42 ​
Test 2 630 v34 q42
​Test 3 600 v30 q43
Test 4 640 v34 q44
Offcial test
​650 v37q43
Then I started the prep on 20th june
I revised sc and quant. I joined a crashcourse and only gave verbal sectional tests and quant sectional tests.
I gave 5 verbal tests with scores : v25, v26, v33,v37,v30.
Quant tests scores: q42,q40,q43,q42
Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
As high as I can stretch 
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?
Round 2 2021

The deadlines deter me from learning anything 100%. Always there is so much material to cover with no time

sid993 · Answer

My verbal esr can be viewed here. Imo the time pressure got to me

Anupom · Answer

I will suggest you give a shot in TTP.Their verbal course is great.i think you have some fundamental gaps.Try TTP. i.e,i was unable to pick paradox.After completing their chapter i am improving rapidly

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sid993,

I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

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

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Just cant score in gmat

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards