Need your guidance to save my dream

Question

Its been 5 weeks since I started my preparation for GMAT. It's been almost 7+ years since I passed out of my college and never took any exam after that. Initial 2 weeks I studied quant. The following 3 weeks my focus has been mostly on verbal. I even subscribed for egmat after realising I really suck at SC.

I am studying almost 5-6 hours in a day in studying. I really want to crack this exam. But no matter how well I understand the concepts when I see the actual questions I simply fail to make the right choice. I am taking way too much time in SC ( around 3.5-4.5) min a question and get only 15-40% right.

I have gone through many posts, which mentions about practicing in a timed manner. But I am taking even to identify the right answer. I am almost about to cry now. All my life the only thing I ever told myself is that work hard and you will break the resistance and achieve what you want. I keep saying that too myself everyday after another disappointing SC session. But I really need some guidance. I am very critical about me and the results are not showing up even after almost giving up every distraction in the past month to achieve this dream.

Sorry for the long message, I don't know what what to do.

Thanks for your patience in reading this. I am really looking forward to your reply.

Posted from my mobile device

Mani2879 · Answer

Try to prepare an error log if not already
Write down what is wrong in each of the answer choices ( Grammar rules, idiom , Subject verb agreement, incorrect construction etc).
Do not jump at the right option.
Spend a lot of time analysing each answer choice.
Keep working hard though, SC takes time. It's not something you can learn in a month.

Sent from my XT1562 using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

Arro44 · Answer

Hello my friend,

SC focused:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/sc-tips-shee ... l#p1475810

Strategy focused:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-strat ... l#p2082192

Moreover I would suggest to have a look at the verban explanation videos from Veritas Prep and GmatNinja those are both two great ressources with regards to improving ones verbal score.
While does videos are no replacement for dedicated prep and solving actual questions, some of the hints and tips provided might come in very handy during your next GMAT adventure.

Nonetheless make sure to check some of the questions and their respective answers in this forum, than can be a great source of insight with regards to some topics you might struggle in.

Best of luck for your prep,
Chris

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
First of all, don't be disappointed by this initial setback. You can read many success stories in this forum in which people have turned a failure into a success. Read some debriefs, it will give you confidence.
Regarding your timing issue in SC, there are some strategies that you can find in this forum. One of them being find the error in the given sentence and then eliminate all options that contain that error. In that way, you can eliminate 2-3 choices. Another one is read the options vertically. In most SC questions you will find 2/3 splits. Following these strategies can help you reduce the time. You can find more of them in the forum. Hope it helps.
All the best.

sanathadiga · Answer

Thanks Chris for the pointers . I have been watching the e-gmat videos over and over again to perfect the concept .. with respect to solving questions I am planning to finish OG first and then jump to GMAT club questions.

I will definitely go through GMAT ninja videos. The only thing I am sad about is the progress. It's saddening to not get results after putting so much efforts.

Thanks for the reply once again. Need support and guidance to overcome this moment and beat this minor defeat my journey.

Posted from my mobile device

Arro44 · Answer

Don´t let those stumbling stones bring you down and keep striving for your dream. Setbacks are, unfortunately, completly normal during the journey towards the GMAT and I think most people have come across them in one way or another. I am certain that you will overcome your SC sooner than you think.

Best regards, Chris

Sheetal15 · Answer

Just like you, I keep juggling in RC questions. And trust me all I have to say is don't give up ! If one strategy doesn't works try a new one. 100 failures but 1 right attempt can help you do SC questions in 40 seconds from 4 mins. Be consistent. I have improved in a month's time in SC questions. I keep jotting points not only of grammar concepts but also of questions that I attempt wrong. Infact,these days, I have started living SC. While writing an email, I find errors and correct them. Since my job has pretty writing work too and as I'm a part time blogger, SC has helped me to write fairly well. Try this, it may help. You will enjoy doing it

GMATPill · Answer

I am taking way too much time in SC ( around 3.5-4.5) min a question and get only 15-40% right. links to OG SC video explanations : https://www.gmatpill.com/images/google-doc.png https://drive.google.com/open?id=1f_ckd ... H1HmTgctJI You can get more videos like these as a member at GMAT Pill: https://www.gmatpill.com

Sheetal15 · Answer

Do you have any such document for RC ? Gmat  pill plz share

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sanathadiga,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so after just 5 weeks of study you should not expect to have 'mastered' any of the material/concepts just yet. That having been said, it's possible that "your way" of studying has gotten you 'stuck' at a particular score level - and you will have to learn and practice the proper Tactics to get 'unstuck.'

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
3) What is your goal score?
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

sanathadiga · Answer

Hi Rich, Thanks for the reply. Here are the answers to the questions: Studies: 1) What study materials have you used so far? Manhattan guides for quant, og questions for practice ( mostly quant and CR) E-gmat videos for verbal (haven't started RC ..but i am quite comfortable with CR & RC ) Gmat club resources 2) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? Quant Q41-Q44 . I know I need to improve a lot here as well

Verbal : Q20-Q22 Goals: 3) What is your goal score? Touching 700 4) When are you planning to take the GMAT? October 1st week 5) When are you planning to apply to Business School? For the second rounds by Dec 6) What Schools are you planning to apply to? To 5 Canadian B schools Hope using this info you can help me by guiding me towards right path. Thanks, Sanath Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Sanath,

There are certain subjects in the GMAT that require more 'technical' knowledge than others. For example, Geometry questions often require that you have knowledge of specific math formulas to get the correct answer. Sentence Corrections have that similar requirement (but instead of math formulas, you need to know grammar/idiom rules). To consistently hit 700+, you're going to need to have all of that necessary knowledge AND you'll need to do organized work on your pad AND you'll need to avoid making silly/little mistakes. Training to score at that level takes a certain amount of time and effort - and approximately 90% of Test Takers either CAN'T or WON'T do what it takes to EARN that Score.

With an early October Test Date, you have plenty of time to study and improve, but you'll have to be really efficient with your studies going forward. Beyond doing lots of practice problems though, you need consistent, professional guidance, so that you can learn all of the patterns, tactics and 'secrets' of the GMAT (without having to try to figure out all of that stuff on your own). You would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some kind (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Sanathadiga,

I’m glad you reached out and I’m happy to help. First and foremost, it would be helpful to know your baseline GMAT score as well as your GMAT score goal, so I can provide some tailored advice. Could you please, in short order, take an official MBA.com practice exam and report back with your score breakdown? Once I know how far you are from your score goal, I can offer specific advice.

In the meantime, you may find it helpful to check out my article about
 how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

Feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Good luck!

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