Retake strategy after 420

Question

Hi all, I hope to hear any advice on retaking gmat strategy as I'm very disappointed with my score after three months full time prep and having an online course as well. I have rescheduled the exam in a month time and the target score is 660. If anyone can share your similar experience, I would much appreciate. I am thinking on taking a tutor to revise my prep plan - if you have recommendations, pls share.

GMATPill · Answer

If you committed 3 months full time - and are getting to 420 - then clearly you want to try something different from what you did in the last 3 months. Was this a surprise for you? Were you doing well during your studies? Always - you want to score at least your target score during practice. If you can't even score it in practice, you can't expect to magically get there on exam day. So you should not have walked into the exam unless you have the confidence that you are able to produce your target results during practice. See whether these videos help: https://www.gmatpill.com/sentencecorrect ... ythons.mp4 https://www.gmatpill.com/problemsolving/og/222/222.mp4 You can learn more about us at https://www.gmatpill.com/testimonials

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kate.li88,

Raising a 420 to a 660+ will take some serious effort - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. 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?
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals:
3) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Kate.li88 · Answer

Hi thanks for reply. I know it will be quite hard. I'm quite dedicated and have full time to prepare. But I need a really strong tutor to help to get through. My aim is to get scholar hence the score 660. If not, then to reach at least 600 to get into the program.

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used? I have used Manhattan pdf's and went through 8 weeks their online group course
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)? It was ranging from Q32 V 28 to Q38 V30. Once I had 540 during one practice test but then 460,480,460

Goals:
3) When are you planning to retake the GMAT? In a month time ideally. If not,it could be in 1.5 month. 
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School? First deadline is end Aug. Another round by October 1st. 
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to? In Sydney - UNSW

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

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kate.li88,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your various score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (around 450 +/- a few points; the 540 is an outlier that we can't really assume is an accurate reflection of your current skills).

Using this 420 as a gauge - and the idea that you need at least a 600 to competitively apply to this Business School (and significantly higher to get a Scholarship) - you will likely need at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study to get to that level. Thus, the first application deadline (in late August) does not seem realistic - and the early October deadline would be the better option. If there's another application Round after that, then that should be another option to consider.

1) What order did you take the GMAT sections in?
2) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for this 420?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

Kate.li88 · Answer

I had the test in order Quant- Verbal- IR-AWA. I scored Quant 28 Verb 20. As for study I think I can dedicate 8hrs/ day and around 50 hours a week.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kate.li88,

From what you've described, you have a lot of potential study time - which is good. However, you have to be careful about confusing 'quantity' of study with 'quality' of study - and you have to be careful about not 'burning out' (as 50 hours of study each week would would be a LOT of studying). It's not clear whether you actually need a tutor or not, but working through a 'fixed class' schedule clearly didn't work for you, so you'll need a study plan that's a bit more flexible (and that can allow you to spend more/less time on individual subjects as needed). Given your needs, I still think that a GMAT Course of some type would be really beneficial. 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 website (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 questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

Kate.li88 · Answer

Thanks a lot for your advice. I will definitely have a look at your website.

Posted from my mobile device

Kate.li88 · Answer

Hi Rich,
thanks a lot for your previous advice. I have subscribed to your lessons and i find your website is very resourceful. I would like to have a specific advice on how should i approach your lessons more efficiently since you have lots of video tutorials, and i have a month to prepare before i re-take the GMAT. I find i have to improve both - verbal and quant - parts. I can dedicate around 25 hrs/week min.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kate.li88,

It's been about 2.5 weeks since your original post in this thread. Have you taken any new practice CATs since then (and if you have, then how did you score?)? I ask because raising a 420 to a 600+ will likely take more time than you've allotted (which is something we discussed earlier on). If you've improved since you scored 420, then we need to define what that new score is (and adjust your studies accordingly). If you have not taken a CAT since then, then I strongly recommend that you take a new CAT soon - and take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

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