Need GMAT Strategy Help!!

Question

Hi everyone,

My test date is approaching quickly, but unfortunately my test scores are not increasing just as quickly. I am writing down my studying experience with exam scores thus far- hopefully someone can give me some solid advice!!

My test date is in early March 2013 and I started browsing the GMAT material in July 2012. I studied on and off, and started seriously studying in September. I'm not sure I'm taking the best approaches though. Here are my scores so far:

July2012: 470 (Q25/V29)
September2012: 560 (Q34/V34), 600 (Q34/V37)
Oct2012: 580 (Q33/V37), 580 (Q37/V31)
Dec2012: 570 (Q32/V32),  640 (Q36/ V44 ) , 630 (Q42/V35),  590 ( Q43 /V26),  580 (Q41, V28)
Jan2013: 620 (Q39/V35)

I underlined the scores where I got my highest verbal and quant raw scores- hopefully this means that I'm capable of achieving 40+ on both sections. My target is 700+, and I'm beginning to really worry because I'm so inconsistent (or consistently) under my target score.

My strategy so far has been to do the Veritas Prep homework and the OG13 questions. I took a Veritas classroom course because I really haven't taken any math classes since I was in HS- and it looks like it helped a little bit, but somehow my verbal score plummeted. I have an inkling that I'm focusing too much on practice problem quantity instead of quality now- so if you have strategy tips, I would REALLY appreciate it!!!

JimGMATAnswers · Answer

Practice practice! Quick recall of the material is the best way to improve.

Vercules · Answer

Hi JJ2014,

I think you can improve further if you plan your study properly.

I see a gradual increase in your scores. You can touch the 700+ mark if you score 34+ in Verbal and 48+ in Quant.

Seeing your scores, you need to work more on quant, also you have more space to improve your Quant score. Scoring 40+ in verbal is much harder than scoring 40+ in quant . So once you reach the 46 - 48+ mark on Quant and if time permits go for 40+ target in Verbal.

Following combinations would give you a rough benchmark for a 700 - 710 score

Q47 V38
Q49 V36, 37
Q46 V39, 40
Q48 V37

I would recommend you the below strategy. .

Remaining Days of Jan -- Solidify your Quant concepts. You can do this by learning the basics and practicing easy questions (550 - 600 on all the quant topics). Getting an easy question incorrect in the test could do more harm to your score; moreover taking less time in easy questions would give you more time to solve harder quant questions later in the test. Figure out which areas you find difficult and practice more on these areas in the coming month. Keep in touch with verbal part but give more focus to quant in Jan.

Feb -- Practice harder quant and verbal questions. If you have not yet finished OGs and GMAT Prep then you must do so before entering the test.

1st week of March -- revise the questions you got incorrect in your practice and solidify those concepts in both verbal and quant. If you want to practice questions then restrict yourself to official ones. Do not take any new test 1 week prior to your actual GMAT. You could repeat your GMATPrep tests.

All the best

Vercules

KarishmaB · Answer

First of all, I think this is commendable performance. From 470, you have come a long way to 620. The good part is that a 150 point increase is not easy to come by. The bad part is that after 600-650, it gets harder to improve further. At 600, your basics are in place and you know how to solve most easy and quite a few medium level questions. But there is a gap in medium to hard questions. I would suggest you to review your tests and write down the topics you make maximum mistakes in. Then tackle them one by one starting with the basic theory from your books, moving on to practice questions from the books, then from OG and then from this forum. Try to work on one Quant and one Verbal topic everyday. Continue this till mid Feb. Then take a GMAT prep test. Again, note down the topics you make maximum mistakes in. For the next 3 weeks, work on those. 
Thereafter, review and relax in the leftover time.

JJ2014 · Answer

Thank you all VERY VERY much!!! I will try these suggestions and hopefully see progress..

JJ2014 · Answer

I've been hitting 640 now.. but my goal is 710. I decided to postpone my test until May. I hope this will help me better prepare!! I hear that the jump from mid-600 to 700+ is the hardest. Any other advice tips?? Thank you!

KarishmaB · Answer

Whats your Quant/Verbal split and how do you fare in different topics (algebra/geometry/number properties etc) and different question types (DS/PS/CR/SC/RC)?

JJ2014 · Answer

Thank you for replying! I'm at Q41/42, V36/37. I know I struggle with number properties and make a lot of careless mistakes. Otherwise, I'm really not sure what specific area I've been having trouble with. It feels like I get a few of everything wrong... What's the best way to get myself to be aware of areas that I need to fix?

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	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.
	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

Need GMAT Strategy Help!!

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