Need help!!! Improve score 540 -> min. 650 better 680

Don't give up seriously!

The fact that you were unable to complete the test and your verbal score shows that you need to work on the basics. You need to build the concepts/fundamentals before you jump in solving the problems. You can do so by choosing one of the following ways:
1. In person classes/private tutoring
2. Online classes
3. Self paced online preparatory course
4. Book heavy approach

Whatever you choose, make sure that you choose one. Because GMAT tests you on some concepts and fundamentals that you can learn from a course. Most of the preparatory companies including ours offer a free trial of our course. You can take the trial and see if the course suits your needs.

In addition to the preparatory material, buy the Official Guides(both the Official Guide and the Verbal Review), Question Pack 1 and the 4 official mock CATs. They should be an indispensable part of your preparation.

Since you have given the GMAT once and are familiar with the format, I think if you schedule the test towards March end, you should be able to score well.
1. Understand the concepts and fundamentals before jumping into problem solving
2. Solve full length CATs including AWA and IR. You can get two free GMAT Prep mock CATs and can purchase two more from mba.com
3. Make sure you solve the official questions from the Official Guide

First of all, thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this. I very much appreciate it.

To answer your questions:
1. Start/way of studying: I started studying very slowly around end of September. At the beginning I took the Diagnostic test reviewed it and read the explanations to the question types as well as the math and verbal review (spread over a couple of days). Since I have work during the week I just answered a few questions each or the other day. Something like 10 PS questions, 8 DS questions, and 5 RC questions. The next day 10 SC questions, 6 CR Questions, very inconsistently and randomly.

2. Study materials: I studied only with the official guide for the most part. I solved the questions sometimes timed sometimes not. Turned out I could do them in time when I solved 5 or 10 at a time. I spent more over time the more questions I tried to solve in one session.

3. Practice Tests: I took the two free GMATprep practice tests.
- Score 540 Q34 V30 Guessing the last 7-10 questions of each section
- Score 580 Q41 V28 Still guessing the last 7-10 questions

I think the first trial came closest to the real thing because I did the AWA as well as IR. The second trial I skipped the AWA since it was the same issue and did the IR, which had the same questions it had the first time + one I didn't get to the first time. In the quant and verbal section some of the questions repeated.

4. When do I plan to retake GMAT: I think my last chance to retake the exam will be in the beginning of march or some other time in march. That depends on if the school wants the official report with my application or if the unofficial report is enough at that point.

5. Schools and deadlines:
University of California San Diego: Deadline is April 1st <-- my favorite so far
University of California Irvine: Deadline is May 1st
University of LA (If I somehow should score 700+): Deadline March 31st
University of San Francisco: Deadline May 15 but not entirely sure

I'm aiming for a masters of finance Degree. If someone has ideas what schools I should consider in addition feel free to bring it up(I know this is not the issue in this post so no need really)

Hi rasti12,

Raising a 540 to a 650+ will take some considerable work; you will likely need another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to score at that level. Finance Programs tend to place an emphasis on the Quant Scaled Score - so you while you will need to improve in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections, the bulk of your efforts should be spent on honing your Quant skills so that you can score at a much higher level.

Your goals are achievable, but you'll have to do a lot of work in a relatively short period of time - which means that you'll need to commit to a more frequent study routine. Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in under 2 months, so it would fit your schedule nicely. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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