calappa1234 wrote:
Hey guys.
Did my first GMAT in March without any study and scored a 590 (Q31V38) 24th percentile and 85th percentile. I was pleasantly surprised by the score and decided that if i actually sat down and studied quant, I'd be able to crack 700.
I spent the last month studying the basics of quant (mainly from
MGMAT and princeton review) and although I only managed to cover algebra, some ratio and probability and integers/fractions decimals, I decided to take a
MGMAT practice test, confident that I could at least hit a 50 percentile in quant since the numbers didn't seem like random hieroglyphics anymore.
I ended up with a 620 (Q31V45) 24th percentile quant and 99th percentile in verbal
My quant score hadn't changed at all! While I had covered all the basics, and could answer a good portion of the drills in the
MGMAT and princeton texts, I couldn't actually work out what the questions were asking during the prep test. It would take me like 2 minutes just to decipher a mid level question and even then i'd have no idea what the hell to do. Add to that the time limit, and I was bombing most of the basic questions as well.
My question is this: to do well in quant, do you just need to have 'it'? And by 'it' i mean a brain that is attuned to the frequency of all things 'mathy?'
I mean, I'm good at english. I write and read for pleasure so over the years I've developed a knack foe english. I managed a V45 without ever going through anything related to GMAT verbal. Do i need to have that same level of experience with math to score well in it? Hell, I don't even want to score that well, all I need (if i can keep my current verbal score) is a 50th percentile in math to get a 700 combined.
I've just signed up with Empowergmat and although Rich's videos are great, and I'm able to follow along and solve the questions that immediately follow his theory videos, I'm literally too afraid to open up the
OG and try a random question on my own. Even glancing at a math question has my head swimming. Putting in a time limit is sure to induce a heart attack.
So long story short.
I SUCK at math, even after going through the basics.
Should I go back and go over all the basics again (
Mgmat), or should I just keep banging my head against questions until they eventually start to make sense?
Thanks!
Hi,
I second what pushpitkc said. This is what I recommend, get the GMAT prep practice and CAT questions and focus on them. You can start tepidly using the study feature of the GMAT prep which provides explanations, then graduate to the exam feature and full CATs. You will probably find the PS questions relatively straightforward giving time pressure, however as you begin to practice DS questions, you will realize that your verbal CR skills are transferable. Giving that you are comfortable with verbal this should help.
I will also advise that you try to get better at verbal as well, for a marginal improvement in verbal would probably push you to 51 which will also help improve your overall score.
Summarily, focusing on the GMAT prep application, following Bunuel on this forum, and reviewing all doubtful questions should help improve your quant score.
Additionally, you may want to take advantage of the new option to take the GMAT in a different format and take the QVIRW format, so that you are fresh going into quant. You may want to warm up with a few questions on the day, and in general, review the format advises on this forum.
Finally, getting better in the quant at your level would probably take you a couple of months of regular work, so you had better start now. Remember, practice is the opportunity to deliberately make mistakes. So, better to make mistakes now, rather than during the exam.
Good luck, you are on the right track.
close
06 Jul 2017, 22:23
