Scored low on Official Gmat

Hi,
My main issue has been speed in verbal. My reading and comprehending speed is less. Iwas never able to finish all questions in verbal. I had to skip few questions always
As far as accuracy is concerned, it isn't that great too.
I also have problem with concentration in verbal.

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1. I have studied for around 4 months for GMAT. Before that I had attempted for few Indian MBA exams.
2. I have scored V27 to 30 always
And Q45 to 50.
Gmatprep ep1 last mock I got 650(Q50,V30) and in other I got 620 (Q47,V27).
Mgmat I got 590 last mock.
3. Goal score is 700
4. Wish to take in the next 2 months.
5. Planning to apply in round 2 of most b schools
6. Target is Mannheim,Germany
Said,Oxford and other 1 year programs

I have problem in verbal. My speed is low and I am not able to completely read all questions. Hence, I skip quite a few questions in between.
As far as Quant is concerned I wasn't that bad in it always. Only speed was a concern. In practise tests I used to get 7 to 10 questions wrong and when I attempted the wrong ones during review, I was able to solve almost all of them with no time restrictions.

Hi akshatmathur,

Raising a 580 to a 700+ will likely take at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. A V22 means that you lost significant points in all 3 major Verbal categories (SC, RC and CR), so you have to train to 'see' (and respond to) the Verbal section in new ways. You do NOT need to be a 'fast' reader to hit your score goal; you need to be an 'efficient' reader and note-taker. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

From what you've described, your studies so far have been 'book heavy.' Unfortunately, many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level, so you'll likely end up needing to invest in some non-book resources with a focus on learning and practicing the proper Tactics.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

1. I can devote around 30 hours a week till the 3rd week of October. Post that I am thinking to take leave from my work, so I can devote around 8 to 10 hours a day from 4th week of October.

I wanted to know that when you say one needs to an efficient reader, what exactly you mean?
Also, GMAT is predictable means what exactly?
I have practiced the official questions but I found the level of questions in my official exam to be higher. Do you have any say in this?
Cheers,
Akshat

Hi akshatmathur,

To start, I do NOT think that it's necessary for you to take time 'off' from work to study for the GMAT. If you can study 20-25 hours a week, then that would add up to a LOT of study time over the course of two months.

Everything about the GMAT is predictable - the concepts tested, the patterns in the questions (and in the wrong answers), etc. The big 'variable' is in the 'packaging'; depending on how you're performing - and the 'randomizer' in the GMAT Program - the questions that you face can be designed in different ways. As such, you have to train to learn the necessary content and Tactics so that you can handle whatever variations of those concepts the GMAT throws at you. To that end, you do NOT need to understand every word in every prompt to score at a high level in the Verbal section, but you do need to learn the patterns and build up the necessary skills to spot them when they appear. You also have to train to take the proper notes (doing work "in your head" will be the cause of every little mistake that you make, so you must NOT work in that way). Since I don't know exactly how you studied, I can't comment much about how you thought that the Verbal questions on Test Day were harder (with a V22 though, most of the questions would not have been that difficult).

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

So finally how do you suggest me to start now. I gave my exam last week and my plan is to give it again by November end.

Hi Akshat,

To hit your goal score, you're likely going to need to make improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in well under 2 months, so the time commitment wouldn't be that bad. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

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

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