Need help/suggestions

Question

Hi,

I appeared for GMAT @18th Dec, 2014. Scored poorly in my first attempt. Here are my scores - 560(Q49, V19, IR6, AWA4).
Though I was not able to prepare much before my first attempt but didn't expected such a low score. My english is definitely weak but was expecting in late 20s. My target is to get 700+. Anyways, I want to focus on preparation for my second attempt. I am planning to sit for my second attempt by end of March, 2015.

Please help/advice me out in the following queries - 
1) I will focus mainly only English since i need to score around V35+. First I will go through English Grammar Book (Wren & Martin). Then try out Manhattan SC Guide.
Finally practice some Qs from OG(I have already solved Qs from this book during my first attempt). Can you please tell me if these materials are OK or if I need to include some thing more?
2) As preparation goes will give some practice sectional tests & also some full lengths tests (from Feb). Will use GMAT Club & GMATPrep for this. 
3) Also the reason I am targetting to appear in March is because my target B-school is IIM-C and as per information provided in the official website, the admission process starts by end of June. So i want to keep 2 months for essay and profile prepartion. Is my thinking correct ?

Please help me out. Any suggestions are welcome.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aib4747,

First off, a 560 isn't a terrible score (the average GMAT score from year-to-year tends to hover around 540-550). Since you admit to not studying much, this score shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Most Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) on consistent study, during which 10-15 hours per week (or more) is common. The Q49 is a good sign - it confirms that you're strong in the Quant and that you'll need to spend the bulk of your next round of studies on the Verbal section. With a planned March Test Date, this gives you plenty of time to prepare.

If you're concerned about your English skills (grammar and reading comprehension), then focusing on those skills first is a good idea. The Official GMAT asks you to do more than just "comprehend" what you're reading though - the Verbal section is a critical thinking Test much in the same way that the Quant section is. You need to know the "rules" and you need to understand what you're reading, but you also need to be strategic, take notes, use tactics, stay organized, look for established patterns, etc. To turn a V19 into a V35+, you're likely going to need to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or Instructor-Led) - GMAT books can only help you go so far (many Test Takers who focus on "book study" tend to get "stuck" at a certain level).

When it comes to taking practice CATs, it's important to take the ENTIRE CAT every time, so that you can improve your pacing and endurance skills along with all of the "content" skills. It's also important to take them at regular intervals, so that you can spot (and fix) little mistakes as they occur - taking a CAT every 1-2 weeks is usually the better course of action (as opposed to leaving all of your CATs to the "end" and cramming them all in).

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

aib4747 · Answer

Thanks EMPOWERgmatRichC for your reply. 
So two main things to take from your suggestions - 1) Taking more practice tests maybe starting from Jan till Mar end atleast once in two weeks.
2) Taking some GMAT course for English improvement - This may be a issue for me but will try if possible.

Thanks again for your advice.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aibi4747,

Whether you take an English "class" or not is up to you (you might be able to learn what you need from a series of books/videos. I recommended that you invest in a structured GMAT Course for the Verbal section. Since the Verbal section is not an "English Test", you have to learn about the tactics, strategies, patterns, etc. that will help you to score at a higher level in THAT section of the Test. Based on your first CAT score, you don't appear to have a naturally strong ability in the Verbal, so you would probably benefit from a product that would show you all of those tactics, etc.

Taking CATs on a consistent basis will also help you to track your improvement and "catch" any problem areas earlier on, so that you can spend extra time working on them.

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

KyleWiddison · Answer

I wanted to respond to your inquiry about timing of your next GMAT exam. I would not recommend waiting until after the GMAT to do the rest of the application. You should be working on it along the way. Also, in most cases you will be self-reporting your score on the application and can take the GMAT even on the day the application is due to be submitted (assuming online submission). March isn't a bad target date - you should probably assume you will need another 2 tests to hit your target score. Plan to take one in March and another one 1-2 months later (must be at least a month between takes). If you hit your target in March you don't have to worry about the next one but if not you have left plenty of time for another take of the test.

KW

KW

OptimusPrep · Answer

aib4747

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Please visit the following link to learn more: https://www.optimus-prep.com/gmat-verbal-booster

If you are interested please contact our support for a free 7 days trial access.

aib4747 · Answer

Thanks KyleWiddison. Ya I too have kept 2 months backup for another take i.e. if I need third attempt. Though I want to reach 700+ in my second attempt itself :-)

Thanks again for your advice. Will keep these in mind.

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