Need help with strategy, from 570 to 730+

Question

Around a month ago, I took my first blind OG diagnostic test and got a 570 (Q36, V34). A couple of days later, I took the first Manhattan prep and got a 560 (Q31, V36). The second one is due to stupid mistake - I didn't read the rules of GMAT, and I thought that it's better to get things right than to finish everything. So I did not have time to finish around 5-6 questions at the end. Meanwhile, I had around 15 minutes extra for verbal. I have been following Manhattan Prep closely and will be taking another mock tomorrow. I have booked my exam to be in the middle of September. Do you think 4 months is enough to raise my scores from 570 to 730+? Ideally, I want around 750 but it's terrifying to even think about it!! How should I improve my strategy to make it possible? Also, I heard that Manhattan scores are a bit lower than the official scores, is that true?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dracomom,

To start, can you confirm your 2nd CAT Score (I ask because a Q20/V36 would not be a 560)?

Since it's been at least a few weeks since you took those 2 CATs, I agree that it would be a good idea for you to take a NEW CAT tomorrow This will help us to define your current skills, strengths and weaknesses as well as see how well your current Study Plan has helped you to improve. The MGMAT CATs are generally regarded as being a little tougher than the Official GMAT, but they're still a well-designed set of Tests - so the result should be a reasonably accurate assessment of your skills (assuming that you take the CAT under realistic testing conditions). Once you have that Score, you should post back here and we can discuss the results and how you might adjust your studies going forward.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What specific study materials have you used so far?
3) 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

Dracomom · Answer

Yes! Sorry I put my Quant score wrongly. It is actually Q31/V36.

I took the second Manhattan CAT and got a 630 (Q41/V35).

I have been studying around 10+ hours/week and I am following the Manhattan Prep study course diligently. I am applying to Biz school next September (entering class of 2022) so I still have a bit of time - I'm planning on shooting for Berkeley. My weakness for Math is number properties, and the other topics I have not covered with Manhattan prep.

ostrick5465 · Answer

I think this post will be useful to you. https://gmatclub.com/forum/550-to-750-h ... ml#p706285

egmat · Answer

Hi  Dracomom

It seems like you are just beginning with the preparation. Before we delve into strategies to improve Quant and Verbal, you must

• Set a Target Score
• Make a study plan to reach that target score

Doing this will make your preparation focused on the target which is the most efficient way to study. A study plan would also help you estimate the amount of time you would need to study and thereby when to plan the test.

We have helped more than 25,000 people in last 1 year in achieving their target of a good GMAT score. Maximum people attributed their success to the structured process which we suggested them. I suggest you break your preparation into 3 stages and follow the below plan:

Stage – 1 --> Learn the concepts
Stage – 2 --> Cement the concepts by practicing a sub-section in Isolation
Stage – 3 --> Become test ready (practicing all the sub-sections together)

Prawee (550 to 740)  used all the books and local coaching classes but was unable to improve her GMAT score beyond a certain point. She changed her approach and finally scored 740 in her 5th attempt and got a $180,000 fellowship cumulatively from 3 top business schools. She is currently pursuing MBA from Kellogg. Kellogg was once not even on her radar.

7 Steps – How to score 700+ on the GMAT

You can start your preparation by giving a mock to test your current ability.

Hope the above strategy get you to your target score

Deepak
e-GMAT strategy Expert

unraveled · Answer

You can improve to 730+ since you already have V36 and improving Quant is easier than verbal. Take a look at this post. https://gmatclub.com/forum/760-q49-v44- ... l#p2543263 Though the person took a lot more time than what are trying to go for, its certainly helpful.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dracomom,

This recent CAT Score is a nice improvement over your first 2 CATs - and is a reasonable progression for a month of study. Raising this 630 to the point that you can consistently score 730+ will require that you study for at least another 2 months - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

Since your current way of studying has helped you to improve, there's a certain logic in having you continue studying in this way. If you're interested in changing your routine and/or working with some new study materials, then let me know and we can discuss your options.

As an aside, since you're interested in at least one highly-competitive School, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement.

There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

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

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Follow the following study plan:-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-study-p ... ml?fl=menu
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-self-pr ... tml?f=menu

Courses that can help with your prep:-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-co ... ml?fl=menu

Best books for Quants:-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ma ... ml?fl=menu
Best books for Verbal:-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu

Best Gmat practice tests:-
https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-pra ... tml?fl=men

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Dracomom,

I do think that 4 months is a pretty solid timeline for you to improve your GMAT score. Would you like some detailed advice regarding your study plan? In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following articles:

How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success

How Long Should I Study for the GMAT?

Dracomom · Answer

Thank you everyone. I took an office GMAT prep test 2 today and got a 720 (48Q, 41V). I have around 50 days to my exam. Is it feasible to aim for around 750?
I finished my Manhattan Prep and the OG. Now i am working on Target Test Prep to pull my Quant up further. Since TTP has only verbal Beta, I'm planning on buying extra verbal questions from GMAC. Is it a good plan for the next weeks? How many more practice exams should I do before the real exam?

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Dracomom,

Have you completed all of the TTP verbal materials?

MathRevolution · Answer

Hello Dracomom,

A score of 570 is close to decent, but not sufficient enough to get into a top university. All top-ranking universities will require a score of at least 700 or above.
GMAT is not as easy as we assume. GMAT math is logic, and GMAT verbal is a real test of English as a language. So, we recommend you to look for reliable resources.
Looking at your present score (Q36, V34), we have two plans for you, which you must follow to reach your targeted score of 750. To achieve a score of 750, various possible combinations you should remember are V45/Q49, V42/Q50, V41/Q50, and few more.

Plan 1: Basic concept building --- try 600 level question--- take mock test ---- learn alternative methods and shortcuts ---- try 700+ level question --- take mock tests.

For verbal – Revise your grammar basics by GMAT grammar book or Aristotle grail for sentence correction. For RC and CR, try solving the 700+ level question.

For math, yes, basics are musts. You should visit our website https://www.mathrevolution.com to check our free trial lessons and free videos.
To strengthen the basic concept on various topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems, you should opt for a 5-hour Math Review lesson. Solve as many questions as you can relate to different topics.

Plan 2: Once your basics are strong, we recommend learning quick and alternative approaches to solve questions to save you the time. Q 51 shortcut will help you do so.
Keep checking your performance by taking mock tests. You may try our free diagnostic test once.

Let us know if you have further questions.
You can reach us at [email protected].
Success is within your reach.
Good luck!
Punit Joshi

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