Need advise! First attempt 450(Q31/V21) /Second attempt 460(Q41/V14)

Question

Hi everyone!

I'm here to ask some advise on my study plan.

I am a non-native who scored a 450 Q31/V21 on my first GMAC CAT 3 months ago. After that, I spent 1 month studying all basic concepts of the test and then another 2 months on official guide. I could see some improvement in the quant section, but not in verbal section.

After completing OG, I scored 460 Q41/V14 and felt my perception was aligned with reality. I don’t really think V14 reflects all my skills on Verbal. I was tired and not confident at all so I kind of selected the answers in a hurry. On the other hand, V21 on my first attempt was only luck. Anyway, a fair score for my second attempt would be no more than V20.

Considering my low performance in verbal I bought the e-gmat verbal online course to start over my preparation, which is already helping me a lot. However, I need some direction on how to move on and keep improving.

- Quant section  – I know I need to get back to some concepts, but algebra I think is a concept I need to master to get a good score. I’ve realized that in some questions I’m not able to get to the correct answer at the speed I expect because my skills in algebra are limited. I am able to solve equations, but I have a hard time to build them when information are given. Do you guys have any advise?

- Verbal section –  I am confident about my improvement through e-gmat verbal online course, but I am a little confused on develop a schedule. Should I focus on a specific topic like SC or do all topics (SC, CR, RC) at the same time? I usually study 3 hours on working days and 8 hours on weekends.

- Quant + Verbal -   My last score tells me I need to spend more time in verbal, but what about math? Should I just ignore math for a few weeks until I score around 30 on verbal? Should I focus on algebra during this verbal effort? How can I divide my time? Do you guys have any advise in general?

Thanks, I appreciate your help =)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi murilloc,

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:

1) How long has it been since you took this last CAT?
2) What is your goal score?
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

murilloc · Answer

Hi Rich,

1) I took my last CAT 2 days ago;
2) My goal score is around 700;
3) I was planning on take the GMAT on mid September and apply for BS 1st Round, but I know there is a long way ahead so I am considering apply in Round 2.
4) Round 1 or Round 2, whenever I'm ready.

Thanks for your help.

egmat · Answer

murilloc - have you taken a look at Strategy Session 1. If not, please do so. Also write to support@e-gmat.com seeking help with a study plan. Regards, Rajat Sadana

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi murilloc,

Since you are aiming for a 700+ GMAT score, you’ll need to raise both your quant and verbal scores; however, it’s not a bad a idea to spend a few weeks working on just verbal, to solidify your foundations, and then continue working on quant. When studying verbal, you want to strive for linear, targeted learning. In other words, you want to master one topic before you move to the next. So focus on learning one section at a time, either reading comprehension, sentence correction, or critical reasoning. For example, when learning about critical reasoning, you want to be able to learn about all aspects of critical reasoning: e.g. strengthen and weaken the conclusion, resolve the paradox, find the conclusion, must be true, etc. Follow up your learning with focused critical reasoning practice, so you can determine your specific weaknesses within that topic. You should follow a similar routine for sentence correction and reading comprehension.

Once you have strengthened your verbal knowledge, layer quant back into your study routine. However, rather than just using the official guide, I suggest finding a more robust quant resource. While the Official Guide is a great book because it has official questions from past GMATs, there are not enough questions given about each topic to provide full exposure to all GMAT topics. Additionally, the questions are presented in a random order, so it’s challenging to use the OG for focused practice. Thus, you should find a quant resource that 1) will provide more exposure to all GMAT quant topics and 2) will allow you to practice one topic at a time. For example, if you are practicing Number Properties you want to make sure that you can practice a variety of questions from that topic, e.g., LCM, GCF, prime factors, divisibility, remainders, etc. The results of that practice will help you to determine how well you have mastered that topic and to determine your remaining weaknesses within that topic. Such focused practice should help you raise your quant score (assuming you are shooting for a 49+).

Feel free to reach out with any more questions, and good luck!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi murilloc,

With your score goal, you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. With a mid-September Test Date, you have about 2.5 months of potential study time. While you can potentially make some big improvements during that time, you're going to have be consistent with your studies and you will likely need to invest in some new practice materials (and learn/practice some new Tactics). During the next phase of your studies, you should plan on doing 'some Quant and some Verbal' each week (as opposed to focusing on just one category) - in this way, you're less likely to lose your skills over time.

1) How many hours do you think you can commit to studying during a typical week?

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

HiLine · Answer

I like GMAT Pill's skill-by-skill approach. I would focus on CR first, then SC, RC, PS, and finally DS.

murilloc · Answer

Hi Rich,

A mid-September test date would be great, but I am considering take the test in mid-November and apply for Round 2.

1) I usually study 20 hours a week.

Thanks for your help!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi murilloc,

Pushing your Test Date back to mid-November would likely be quite beneficial in a number of different ways. Beyond giving yourself a lot more potential study time, you'll have far more time to work on your application(s) and you'll end up not having to 'rush' through any part of this overall process.

When you say that you normally study 20 hours a week, is that consistent? Have you actually studied that number of hours per week for the last 3 months? If that's the case, then to hit your score goal you will almost certainly need a lot more study time AND you'll need to change your overall study plan.

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

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Need advise! First attempt 450(Q31/V21) /Second attempt 460(Q41/V14)

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