Q50, V35... Need to focus on verbal, but keep up with math

Question

Hi,

I took the GMAT about two weeks ago and I plan to start studying within the next few days. As I think about my strategy/approach I know that my focus has to be Verbal. However, I am afraid that if I don't spend enough time in Quant my score will drop for that section. I would like to improve Quant to 51, but I know that I can gain more from working on Verbal.

What would be the right balance for someone in my position? How much time would you spend in Quant and what problems would you do?

Thanks!

geometric · Answer

To improve your Verbal score, start voraciously reading newspapers like the WSJ and NY Times whilst reviewing some of the major SC, CR, and RC strategies advocated by Manhattan GMAT. In terms of Quant, I'm curious if you know what steps will improve your score from 50 to 51? In other words, where do you perceive your weaknesses to be?

mnuma87 · Answer

Thanks Vandygrad. I think to improve from a 50 to a 51 I would need to work on my timing and do a lot of practice problems. I think I would also need some additional luck on my side. However, I think someone is just as likely to score a 49 as they are a 50, so I am trying to determine how much time to dedicate to Math in order to maximize my score.

gmatsaga · Answer

First off, congratulations on the stellar quantitative score. That score is the score a lot of people dream of.

Anyway, I think you're correct that improvement should focus on verbal. Vandygrad is on point with this one.

I think the Pareto principle would apply here. 20% of verbal improvement will have an 80% commensurate improvement in your overall GMAT score. That being said, if you could increase your verbal to the high 30s all the way to the low to mid 40s you're expecting a rock star GMAT score.

Keep us posted!

DonQuixote · Answer

At this point, there isn't much you can do to improve your Q score. Just make sure that you're practising enough to keep your Q blade sharp, and focus on the Verbal segment for now.

You're probably right about needing luck to perform any better on the Q segment. If you have a good day and get lucky with questions, a 51 is a definite possibility. Make a couple careless mistakes, though, and you might just drop to 49. All in all, it's probably not worth worrying too much about it; you clearly already know enough Q concepts to answer all of the questions that they're asking, and right now it only comes down to whether or not you can apply what you know to the particular questions that you get asked.

Q50, V35... Need to focus on verbal, but keep up with math

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