leonidisss wrote:
SR85 wrote:
I can give you a few pointers that helped me increase my overall GMAT score from 640 to 700, and a verbal score from 34 to 38. Believe me; GMAT English can also be handled by logic. I'll show you how:
1) Identify your weakness: RC, CR or SC?
2) RC as a weakness: I had a very bad reading habit. Never read a single novel (other than the coursework in school) in my entire life! So I addressed this problem by reading online newspapers and articles. And I read a book called "Module V". This really helped me understand the "logic" behind passages. It's all in the structure. Key points:
> Read "online" material (news, magazines, and articles). GMAT is an online exam
> Read abstract articles. Make sure you read something that you don't enjoy. For example: Read science blogs if you are not a science student for instance! The trick is to get used to reading abstract articles and trying to understand the structure/big picture.
3) CR as a weakness: This is a miniature form of RC. You need to identify three main things here: Premise, Argument and Conclusion. If you have this, you have the answer. Read these questions with the mindset of cracking the code, and not thinking about the content. Same goes for RC. Please read the CR bible a 100 times if not less. Everything written in that book will help you break the code of the CR challenge!
4) SC as a weakness: Having sentence correction as a weakness is a SIN! This is supposed to be our savior. One just CANNOT afford to answer these questions incorrectly. And trust me, it’s not difficult. All you need to do is: read Manhattan SC Guide. Again! It is very important how you read and what you learn from what you have read? Make sure to use elimination tricks given in that book, it always works! Practice, practice and just practice till you get close to 100% accuracy in the practice questions and tests. IT IS POSSIBLE AND MANY PEOPLE DO IT.
5) Your aim should not be to solve tens and thousands of problems. You should try and put all the concepts in your head first! But you should always solve many practice tests before you go for the main exam. I would say, at least 20 practice tests. Don’t get too excited if you score very well on a couple of tests. You must consistently perform well on at least 5 - 6 tests to be sure.
PM me if you need additional help! Best of luck!
Thanks a lot for you very detailed answer. I'm sorry it took me so long to answer - was out of town with no internet.
1) As i understand my main problem is RC and SC. also CR sometimes betrays me
2) that's a great point i will read a lot of science related texts. i hope this will improve the situation.
3) I already read The CR bible twice. You think it's worth to read again and again?) what practice tests would you recomend for the CR. i already covered Gmatprep, Official guides,
manhattan gmat and kaplan
4) Also read already twice. Probably should reread it.
5) which practice tests would you recommend?
Thanks again for your very detailed answer. Good luck to you too)
Kind regards
Hi! A few more points that I would like to highlight:
1) Don't just read science texts, but random topics especially something that is not of your interest. The trick is to get used to reading whatever GMAT throws your way. Try online articles on Economist, WSJ, etc. You have to develop a habit of identifying the structure, tone and big picture, instead of the actual content. There are a limited number of question types that can be asked in an RC question - eventually, you will have to develop a methodology to tackle each type. Remember, GMAT is not a test of English; it's a test of time management.
2) If you have read Power Score CR Bible twice and are still facing issues with CR, then I think you need to change the way you read and also try and apply what you have read. The best way is: the moment you read how to tackle a type of question, try and pick up
the Official Guide and see if you are able to apply that concept. You have to keep these learning as tools to tackle different question types on the exam. It's something like playing a game. When you play Counter Strike or Call of Duty or any other fighting game, you have different kinds of ammo to kill enemies. It's never said that you use a grenade to kill enemy type A or a gun to kill type B. It's a decision you take as you move on with the game. Similarly, in GMAT you have to be ready with your arsenal. A single problem can be attacked in multiple ways, but with practice you will know which one to use.
> Develop a habit of using the techniques you read in any book - master your tools!
> Develop a habit of identifying the correct type of question - know your enemy first!
3) Spend more time reading concepts rather than blindly solving 100+ questions per day
4) I bought a CD from a local market which had 20+ sample tests. Mostly: Princeton Review, Manhattan, PowerPrep, Nova, Kaplan, Barrons, etc etc. Contrary to what people say, it doesn't matter if the practice test is easier or difficult than the actual GMAT. Don't waste your time analyzing if the test is tougher or easier than the actual GMAT, no one can say for sure! Even if it is easier (say) and you score well it will act as a morale booster for the real deal! Don't be so harsh on these tests, just take them the way they are. It's all about how well you have practiced to make your mind tough for the final exam. Nerves matter! And they get stronger with more and more practice. Do ANY tests that you get ANY number of times. It is only going to help.
Let me know if you have questions. If you find my responses useful, I would appreciate a Kudo
:) Good luck!
close
Updated on: 07 Dec 2011, 00:53
