zatspeed wrote:
Hey guys,
its been almost 5 months since I started preparing for GMAT. I had to start off with the basics of grammar and math because I didn't know/remember any to begin with. After all these months, I can proudly say I have learnt quiet a lot in both verbal and quant. Due to circumstances, I have to write it in a week or 2 weeks at most.
Quant: sucks big time, after completing some 400 questions and after completing
OG 15. I get less than 15 out of 41 in practice tests, even though the I had better luck with the 400 and
OG questions completed over time. Every time I think I know most there is to know and how to approach a question, I face super difficult questions ( its not adaptive tests), they make little sense to me. How can I improve?
Verbal: I get only about 1/3 in RC right and need a find a method to approach it. I tried different methods such as making short notes or creating a mental map and they didnt work. I find my self using more of an understanding approach and this does not let get all the answers right.
SC and CR is going alright, even though I only get 60% right in each. I have a major problem in CR with EXCEPT and example questions.
I know I am very math challenged, but I think my only opportunity is to get a very good score in Vebral and okayish score in quant.
Please help me :/. How can I improve in a short period of time?
Hi zatspeed,
Since you mentioned RC as a weakness, I thought I'd address it. For RC, remember to take notes as you read the passages. As you read each passage, be an active reader (as opposed to a passive reader - reading simply to absorb the information). While reading, try identifying the following items: 1. the main idea of the passage 2. the author's position and tone (is it neutral, critical, etc.) and 3. the structure of the argument (e.g. two opposing sides vs. one sided, informational vs. author's opinion)
You can practice reading actively by reading publications like The Economist or the New York Times Op-ed section.
On another note,you may need a shift in your general prep strategy to help improve your math and RC performance. If you end up needing extra support, feel free to sign up for a free trial of the Economist GMAT Tutor, our online adaptive course, and see if it works for you:
https://econgm.at/freetrialoffer.
Hope this helps, and best of luck!
Jessica