RyanP wrote:
The program I'm currently looking at recommends a GMAT score of 600 which sounded very attainable when I started studying a month and a half ago. For the past month and a half I've spent my time 75% on quant (I'm very weak here), 25% on verbal but after taking the two practice quizzes in the GMAT software, both of my scores are in the 470-490 range. My last practice test was a Q27 (missed 5 of the last 5, not for lack of trying or wanting to be done), V31 for a 490.
At this point, I'm just dumbfounded and feel like I've accomplished nothing with my studying. At this point do I just keep reviewing my
OG guide or is there any other general strategies to help cope with such a low scores.
First of all, you might want to shift your test date. It is not very probable that you will get a 600 in the actual GMAT after a 480 average in GMAT prep tests. You may not want to have a low score on your record.
Secondly, going up from 480 to 600 is not tough at all. You need to go through the entire theory related to GMAT once. You can do that by picking up the test prep material of any one of the test prep companies. e.g. Veritas has 15 books covering everything from Math essentials to advanced word problems, basic CR to advanced CR, theory related to RC along with tons of practice passages, Grammar fundamentals and SC strategies, AWA templates etc. It will take you about a month and a half to go through all available resources (including practice assignments, tests, on demand lectures). Once you are done, you should see a major improvement in your score. OGs are only for practice questions; they do not give you much theory of the relevant concepts.
Another option you can use is a full classroom course which lasts for 7 weeks (or an online course), if finances permit. You would benefit a lot from either one. Going up to 650 is pretty do-able for most people who are willing to put in the time and effort.