Need help to get from 700 to 730?

Question

Hi,

Would love some help/guidance on how to bump my score to 730. I did GMAT for the first time last week after studying for 3 months and got a total score of 700. Quant 45, Verbal 40.

I'm not able to attach my ESR due to posting constraints but here's a few insights I gathered:
  12 incorrect questions on Quant, 7 incorrect questions on Verbal
 I realized I'm spending too much time on Section 2 of both the Quant and Verbal which ends up costing me in the end (avg. section 2 time 2:35 and 2:55 respectively)
 I'm starting strong and have great accuracy but for both quant and verbal, I end up guessing a lot of questions on the last section
 Because of bad time management, I end up getting easy questions wrong, which I think hurt my score

I know this isn’t a lot to go off of, but any sort of guidance on how I can pick myself up and get back into studying and achieve the 730 would help. I appreciate your time!

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AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi chinant,

You have a very strong verbal score, and therefore most likely need to focus on your quant (concepts). As for time management, test takers do sometimes spend more time on one quarter, especially if that quarter contains a long passage. You shouldn't be too worried about that, as long as you make that time up in another quarter. 2:55 is a little more than I'd be comfortable with though, so you're probably right to mention time management as an improvement area.

All the best for the retake.

chinant · Answer

Thanks so much Ajitesh for your quick reply! I’ll focus in on the quant concepts

Posted from my mobile device

JHR2021 · Answer

bro, you just need to focus on quant...start solving questions from your weak areas...ignore areas of strength for now/or level up on those strenghts...most imp keep revising the material you already studied so don't forget it...that's it...i guarantee this will work for you

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi chinant,

Before you can include attachments with your posts/PMs, you need to have at least 5 posts in the forums (right now, you have just 2 posts). If you would rather not go through those extra posting steps at this point, then you can feel free to email me directly (at [email protected]).

To properly put that data into context, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Using question/time markers for time management may be helpful. If you've consistently been scoring around Q45, working with a study buddy who is strong on Quant but needs help with Verbal could be a good fit. If you feel your Verbal fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit.

5 Quant tips

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

KarishmaB · Answer

When you do very well in quarter 1, you are bound to get harder and harder questions in quarter 2 and hence the need for extra time. Know that it is not wise to spend more than 3 mins on any question. Thereafter, give it your best shot and move on. Getting a hard question wrong will barely give you any penalty but if you have no time left for the easier ones later on, you will be penalised for it. If you are able to complete quarter 1 ahead of time, you can give quarter 2 a little more than average time but that's it. Try to leave 2 min per question for quarters 3 and 4 so that you don't miss out on easy questions.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi chinant.

For some tips on how to speed up in Quant and Verbal and finish the sections on time, see these posts.

How to Get Faster at GMAT Quant Questions

How to Get Faster at GMAT Verbal

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi chinant,

To improve your quant skills, you may find it helpful to engage in topical quant practice.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.

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