Need help - Timing on Verbal Section of GMAT

Question

I have been struggling to find an answer to this query. My Verbal score is hovering around V29-31 range in MGMAT tests, overall score 600 of latest MGMAT attempted. My target score is 700. First GMAT Attempt - 590. While I am working on building concepts and have no issues there, I wanted to know strategy for attacking the Verbal section - My Exam is in January - would really appreciate some inputs, so I can change my strategy, etc -

I want to know from people who have improved their verbal score in GMAT OR GMAT Instructors Or someone who has been instructed on this same issue -

What should be the priority when attempting verbal section - i) covering each and every question, thus speeding-up solving every question, so at least I attempt every question? Accuracy may get compromised here. ii). Because if I spend a good enough time on every question - I skip at least 10 questions and need to hurry up in the end.

I have gone through the forum and I am aware of the suggested strategies to tackle individual questions (I even apply these concepts) : Splits concepts in SC (still never under 1 min, need to spend 1:30 - 2:30 mins), Apply pre-thinking in CR (always 2+ mins, 2:30-3:30mins), And try to speed up RC.

At this point - My CR concepts are good (timing is the issue), SC concepts 30-40% done I am still in the process of building (I will get better at SC, right now SC accuracy is low), RC - just solving questions in mocks, I am aware of the RC suggested strategies - not sure if I am applying them while I solve questions in Mock.

Also, considering e-gmat Verbal online (have not taken any course yet)

Last two MGMAT timing performance - 
MGMAT CAT 1 - at 15th question (36 mins), at 20th q (53 mins past). Accuracy was fair for first 25 (clearly I spent more time on first 25).
 After 25th question - very few correct answer as I am left with no time, and made many consecutive guesses, entire RC and many more so I can reach the end). 
Score - V31

MGMAT CAT2 - 20th question (45 mins past). Kept my speed fast, Accuracy was not great was first 20 (With all questions for one entire RC passage - Incorrect, although I read the passage). 
Next 20 question, I tried to attempt each question - very fast, but at least attempted and did not make many guesses this time. Even going through 2 RC passages quickly (easy passage). Again, accuracy was not that good. 
Score - V29

Thank you for your inputs!!!!!

AjiteshArun · Answer

The second one is close to unacceptable, and not just on verbal. Please ensure that you finish your test without guessing your way through (or worse, skipping) the last 10 questions.

sa2222 · Answer

Sorry - by skipping I meant I guess (blind guess) in at least 10 questions in between - usually questions between 25-41 (not all of them, I skip RCs - sometimes 2 RC passages, long CRs) . And, others I try to solve hurriedly - so accuracy is compromised. But, I do make sure I reach the end of the exam.

Other approach - is to solve everything very fast - starting from the beginning, but here again I believe I make mistakes, as detailed in my earlier post.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sa2222,

The pacing 'issues' that you're talking about are based heavily on how each Test Takers chooses to handle the individual prompts in the Verbal section. As such, I'd like to know more about how YOU have trained to handle the Verbal section of the GMAT.

1) What practice materials have you used?
2) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?
3) When taking a CAT, how often do you find yourself 'narrowing it down to 2 choices, then guessing?'

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

sa2222 · Answer

1. I have used MGMAT SC Guide, Powerscore CR, RC - just went through MGMAT Ron's sessions and strategies suggested by BB, etc.

2. SC - I read the original sentence, see if I can find error, glance through answer choices for splits, then I would recognize bad choices, and then finally pick something which I feel corrects the error. 
CR - Read the question prompt, then Argument, then Pre-think answer (most of the time, I would come up with a possible choice), if I can't come up with a solution then before going to the answer choices, I keep in mind what the answer should be "that is support the argument" for Strengthen, etc. Then, I read every answer choice. Eliminate choices and pick the one I feel is the winner and also matches pre-thinking. 
RC - read the passage thorough and then go to questions. Sometimes questions are quite tricky in RC - just like CR, thats why I would get them wrong - since I don't want to spend too much time in RC. I tend to not go back to the passage - if I am trying to maintain speed. IF I go to passage again, then I loose on time. 
Sometimes - I have seen that when I read the passage quickly, I get the gist of it - when passage is easy. But, other times when the passage is thick (tricky language, etc) - it just doesn't make any sense when I speed read.

3. For SC, I am doing this the most - narrowing it down and then guessing. Part of it may be because I have still not thoroughly covered SC. I started my preps with CR. 
CR, I am good with answer selection. 
RC - depends upon the passage. I think I do a lot of guessing here. Because I just read the passage once and then just try to solve questions. Sometimes, it works out, other times when the passage and questions are tricky - it doesn't.

Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sa2222,

From what you describe, you've taken a book-heavy study approach to the Verbal section. Many Test Takers who study in this way end up getting 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and it's likely that this is what has happened to you. The 'steps' you describe seem incomplete, which might also be why your scores haven't improved. As such, you might need to invest in some new non-book resources and learn/practice some additional Tactics.

1) Do you have an Official Test Date scheduled in January yet (and if so, then what is it?)?

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

sa2222 · Answer

Hello Rich,

Yes - my official GMAT date is by end of Jan'16.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sa2222,

From your last post, it sounds like you PLAN to take the GMAT by the end of January, but that you don't have an scheduled Test Date yet. Is that the case? By having an Official Test Date, then we'll know how much study time you actually have remaining. The advice that I can offer depends on how much time you have to study.

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

sa2222 · Answer

Sorry if I was not more clear. I have taken the date - Jan 30 '16.

thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sa2222,

With a January 30th Test Date, you still have 45 days to study, which is plenty of time to improve your Verbal skills and score. Based on what you've described though, 'your way' of dealing with the Verbal section has gotten you 'stuck' at this particular score level. To make the necessary adjustments (and earn a higher score), you're likely going to need to invest in some additional non-book resources and learn/practice some new Tactics. As such, I can recommend the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, so it would fit your schedule perfectly. We have a variety of free resources (at www.empowergmat.com) that you can use to 'test out' the Course before you set up an Account

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

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Need help - Timing on Verbal Section of GMAT

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