Retake Strategy + Encouragement

Question

Hi everyone,
So after several moths of studying, using Manhattan SC, CR Bible, TTP, GMAT CLUB Quant Tests and taking 6 official practice tests:...
1. 640 Q45 V32
2. 670 Q48 V33
3. 710 Q45 V42
4. 690 Q45 V42
5. 630 Q40 V36
6. 750 Q49 V42

I finally took my official Online GMAT and scored only 660 Q47 V34. I wasnt ready for a V34 taking into consideration my practice tests. I really dont know what went wrong, but anyway. I need to retake and I need a 690 at least, but I really dont know what else to do. I have exhausted the OG questions and cant really think of what else to do. I am looking for tips but encouragement as well. I know a weak area is SC and my quant is pretty much where I think I can take it without spending all my time studying.

Any help?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pat93,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not turn out better. A 660/Q47 is still a strong Score though - and it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. You have the opportunity to pick up points in both the Quant and Verbal sections though, so retesting makes a certain amount of sense.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you are looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
3) Since you took the At-home GMAT, did you take your practice CATs in the same 'format' (Quant and Verbal in one sitting with no break, then an optional break, then IR)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

V34 is not a bad score. All you need to do is regather yourself and go for it one more time. You have scored V42, which according to me is a stellar score, three times in your practice exams. I am sure with little bit of more practice and right mindset you will be able to take your V score further higher.

All the best!

pat93 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  Thanks for the post

Studies:
1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?  About 20 hours a week. Started in November with TTP, would have liked to tkae the exam on March but the city is in lockdown 
2) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
1. 640 Q45 V32 - May 2
2. 670 Q48 V33 - May 16
3. 710 Q45 V42 - June 13
4. 690 Q45 V42 - June 27
5. 630 Q40 V36 - July 11
6. 750 Q49 V42 - July 14
Real GMAT on July 24

3) Since you took the At-home GMAT, did you take your practice CATs in the same 'format' (Quant and Verbal in one sitting with no break, then an optional break, then IR)? I did so for the last 3 exams, with no breaks and going with Quant first. I did took two exam with the (second and third) with Verbal coming first and I did find it easier in that order.

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score? 700 but a 690 would be OK too.
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to? I wanted to apply for R1 for school starting in 2021, but because of the retake I will try for R2. I am looking at LBS, Judge and Said

thank you!

pat93 · Answer

Thanks for the kind words CAMANISHPARMAR ! I do think that I could have performed better, I just dont know how to move from here to make sure that I get a better score and not just try my luck once more.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi pat93,

I know we’ve already spoken to each other and plan to chat, so we will get things figured out soon enough! I’ve got your back, my friend.

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

You are welcome. I can understand what you are going through right now but then there are reasons to believe that you will perform better in the future if you continue with the good work. Don't give up as you might be very close to the finish line. Just give your 100% and when you feel confident just give the exam.

All the best!

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi,

It is sad to hear about how things went with your GMAT. Looking at the details you shared, let me tell you how should you plan your studies to improve your score.
As I see, the quant score is pretty decent, Verbal part seems to be the only concern. The mocks represent a consistent score but it is ironic that it didn’t reflect on the actual test. There might be a couple of reasons for it.

One reason might be the nervousness on the test day. It is quite common to feel nervous on the test day and if that is the reason, then I guess you are good to for a retake if you are satisfied with Q47. This time make sure you take the test with a relaxed mind. 
 The other reason might be you are not likely following a specific approach for all the tests. If your approach is not consistent, then I think there is some work to do.

Looking at the resources you mentioned, I feel like you might have focused  more on practicing questions rather than focusing on the methodology . These resources might provide you with great GMAT questions but to score well on GMAT, you need to have the right strategies. It is good that this process worked out well for quant but as you can see, you faltered in verbal. Verbal questions can be very tricky because test makers set a variety of traps by using similar words in answer choices. If you do not have a strong conceptual understanding and do not use the right methodology, you will most likely end up getting stuck between two choices.

Let me explain you the difference in general strategy and the methodical approach for each of the modules on Verbal.

Sentence correction:  
 
   General strategy    Methodical approach   
  Use grammatical rules to identify errors  Understand the intended meaning  
  Select the choice which is grammatically correct  Select the choice which conveys the intended meaning

Critical Reasoning:  
 
   General strategy    Methodical approach   
  Read the argument   Read the argument and identify the premise and conclusion  
  Read the question stem  Read the questions stem and start pre-thinking  
  Jump into statements and evaluate each option  Start eliminating answer choices which do not match the pre-thought assumption

Reading Comprehension:  
 
   General strategy    Methodical approach   
  Skim through the passage or read very slowly   Read the passage to understand the role of each and every sentence  
  Focus on details and stuff yourself with them  Focus on the purpose of the passage

If you are using general strategy for any of the modules, I recommend you to change your approach and follow a methodical approach. This will help you to solve verbal questions with ease and will help improve your score. SO, this time make sure you focus on learning the right methodology rather than focusing on just practising questions from various resources.

The need to use the right resource: 
As you now understood the importance of using the right methodology, it is equally important to use the right resource to learn that. The resource you use has to teach you the concepts methodically and also the right strategies. It should help you solve GMAT like questions and also provide you with detailed solutions. The best way you can learn the right approach is by referring to the solutions and comparing your approach with the right one. It should help you identify your weaker areas and work on them.

So, make sure to choose the right resource this time and start studying from it. As you might want a few suggestions regarding the same, I would recommend you to check the Verbal course of GMATWhiz. GMATWhiz has a unique way of teaching the Verbal part. The unit 1 of every module starts with the focus on strategy. The next units deal with individual topics and teach you by following the 3 steps.
  Teaches you the concepts. 
 Teaches you the methodology required to solve GMAT like questions 
 Let’s you take practice quizzes and thereby analyse your weaknesses and work on them.

It also comes with real time improvement modules and provides you with a personalized study plan. The concept boosters and practice quizzes help you solve GMAT like questions and also provide you with detailed solutions. You can check the free trial of the course and then decide if it is suitable for you.

As you’re planning for a retake, make sure you do the preparation properly this time. I wish you get it right this time and get your desired score. Make sure you take the right decision in choosing the course. If you wish to discuss more about the study strategy and how to improve your verbal score, you can schedule a free consultation call using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi pat93,

I've sent you a PM with some additional questions.

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

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  pat93 , unfortunately a variation of this magnitude between successive tests, generally is symptomatic of  shaky concepts .

There are no magic pills; there are just concepts to be understood and questions to be practiced.

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Retake Strategy + Encouragement

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My Rewards

General strategy	Methodical approach
Use grammatical rules to identify errors	Understand the intended meaning
Select the choice which is grammatically correct	Select the choice which conveys the intended meaning

General strategy	Methodical approach
Read the argument	Read the argument and identify the premise and conclusion
Read the question stem	Read the questions stem and start pre-thinking
Jump into statements and evaluate each option	Start eliminating answer choices which do not match the pre-thought assumption

General strategy	Methodical approach
Skim through the passage or read very slowly	Read the passage to understand the role of each and every sentence
Focus on details and stuff yourself with them	Focus on the purpose of the passage