LOW GMAT Score in third attempt

Question

Dear GMAT experts,

I am preparing for GMAT since 2 years. My recent attempt was on 27.08.2020 in which I scored 610. I was targeting anything above 650. Now I want to retake the exam near mid- October and I am targeting a score >680.
My previous GMAT Scores
27.08.2020 V31 Q44 610
12.10.2019 V25 Q48 600
12.07.2019 V26 Q48 600

My past mock scores:
GMATprep mock #1: 640 28.06.2020
GMATprep mock #1: 600 23.07.2020
MGMAT #1: 640 26.05.2020
MGMAT #2: 600 01.08.2020
MGMAT #3: 620 08.08.2020
MGMAT #4: 580 13.08.2020
MGMAT #5: 600 22.08.2020
MGMAT #6: 650 23.08.2020

My scores throughout my MGMAT were in range V31-34 & Q 40-42.I believed that Quant in MGMAT are tough compared with real GMAT and I will have no problem scoring at my previous levels in quant (real exam).

My problems:( As per my understanding)
a) Fundamentally weak in RC section
b) Timing Issues, In This current GMAT exam I guessed the last 4 questions in both Q& V section.
c) Nervousness at the starting of the exam, leading to consuming more time than required in the first 10 questions.

Hopping to receive a helpful reply.ESR reports (attached)

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi varun325,
 
Here are some thoughts based on the three issues you’ve been having. First off, I’d like to give you some general advice on how to improve your RC skills.
 
To improve in Reading Comprehension, you need to focus on understanding what you are reading. When you incorrectly answer Reading Comprehension questions, it’s partly because you didn’t truly understand what you read, right? Thus, you likely have to slow down in order to (eventually) speed up. At this point, your best bet is to focus on getting the correct answers to questions, taking as much time as you need to see key details and understand the logic of what you are reading. You have to learn to comprehend what you read, keep it all straight, and use what you are reading to arrive at correct answers. If you don't understand something, go back and read it one sentence at a time, even one word at a time, not moving on until you understand what you have just read. There is no way around this work. Your goal should be to take all the time you need to understand exactly what is being said and arrive at the correct answer. If you can learn to get answers taking your time, you can learn to speed up. Answering questions is like any task: The more times you do it carefully and successfully, the faster you become at doing it carefully and successfully.

Another component of understanding what you are reading is being “present” when reading. Don’t worry about how things are going at work, or what you will eat for dinner, or even how long you are taking to read through the passage. Just focus on what is in front of you, word by word, line by line. Furthermore, try to make reading fun. For example, even if you are reading about a topic that bores you, pretend that you are the person making the argument. By doing so, you will make the passage more relatable to YOU, and ultimately you should be able to read with greater focus.

One final component of Reading Comprehension that may be tripping you up is that RC questions contain one or more trap answers that seem to answer the question but don't really. So, a key part of training to correctly answer RC questions is learning to notice the differences between trap answers and correct answers. You have to learn to see how trap answers seem to follow from what the passages say, but don't really, while correct answers fit what the passages say exactly.

Regarding your next two issues, here are two helpful articles:

How to Eliminate GMAT Test-Day Anxiety

Timing Strategies For a Higher GMAT Quant Score

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi varun325,

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, most of your recent CAT score results - along with all 3 of your Official Scores - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 620 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. Since you have been performing at this level for so long, it's likely that you have developed some 'bad habits' during your prior studies that will take time to fix (and replace with new 'good habits'). Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

Before we discuss the data in your ESRs, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long did you study before each of your 3 attempts? For this most recent attempt, how many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each of the practice CATs that you listed?
4) 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

varun325 · Answer

Thank you EMPOWERgmatRichC  for your response.

1) How long did you study before each of your 3 attempts? For this most recent attempt, how many hours did you typically study each week? 
Around 8 hours a week.

2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
I have been doing questions from GMAT club threads and Questions Banks, Particularly focusing on Official Questions.
(I think I have solved most of the officials questions , Please also guide me where I could find new Official questions or any other alternatives)

3) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each of the practice CATs that you listed?
 quant scores were in range from 40 to 44 & Verbal scores were in range from 28-36
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?
I am Planning to apply in the B-schools at Canada and Germany for the sep,21 intake. My target schools are Rotman,Schulich,IVey, McGill,WHU, Mannheim, ESMT.

ALso, Please guide me which areas I should focus as I am Planning to retake in mid October. I feel Improving my Rc score will not be possible in such a short span of time, so I should focus on SC & Quant. My target Scores are Q48-49 V 33-36.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi varun325,

I've sent you a PM with an analysis of your ESR and some additional notes.

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

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