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07 Oct 2014, 15:45
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I recently scored a 720 (48Q,41V) on the GMAT and I am seeking advice on how I can improve this score to 750 or above. My goals, reasons, constraints and expectations are outlined in the following paragraphs. I would greatly appreciate your help.
Goals: I am happy with my verbal score but I think my quant score needs improvement. Ideally, I would like to score a 50 in the Quant section and 40+ in the verbal section. As far as the composite score is concerned, I would like to get a score around 750 or above.
Reasons for wanting to retake the GMAT: Firstly, my Quant score is in the 75th percentile and is considered low for many of the top MFin programs (I am looking at the MFin programs in MIT and LSE, and the MSc in Financial Economics at Oxford). I believe this could have a negative impact on admissions to these programs. Secondly, my composite of 720 (94th percentile) puts me right in the middle/lower-middle range for most of these programs. I feel that a higher comp score will give me a better shot at securing merit-based scholarship.
Preparation leading up to the first GMAT: I spent about a month preparing for the first GMAT. I spent about 2-3 hours/day on average working on the math section and did not spend a single minute looking at verbal. I went through all of MGMAT's books on math and completed every single problem in the OG. For the OG, I recorded my performance for every single problem. After going through all of them, I redid every single problem that I had taken too long to complete or had gotten wrong. I also did both the official GMAT tests and a couple of MGMAT tests. By the end of this one-month study period, my Math score was consistently hovering around the 47-49 range.
How did I feel about the real GMAT: I thought my performance on the GMAT was reflective of my performance on the practice problems and practice tests. I wasn't anxious and I did not get a score that was extremely high or low as compared to the practice tests. Based on this experience, I feel that I can consistently score in the 700-730 range given my current level of preparation and understanding.
Current Strengths: I think I have a fairly good understanding of the basic concepts tested in the GMAT. Through repetition, I have become good at answering common questions within a minute or less. I have also been able to develop a good sense for when to ditch a problem that is taking too long. Combined, these two skills have allowed me to become good at finishing the Quant section on time.
Areas for Improvement: Firstly, I think there still is room for me to become better at identifying common problems and applying a tested method to solve these problems. This should increase the number of problems that I can solve in 1 min. Secondly, I need to become better at solving the tougher 700-800 level questions. I think I wasn’t able to solve a majority of these in the real test.
Going Forward: I am thinking of giving the GMAT again in about 3 weeks. I think I will be able to devote 2 hours a day during the weekdays and up to 5 hours on the weekends. This should give 50-60 practice hours in total by the new GMAT date. I have purchased the MGMAT Advanced Quant book. I plan on going over the book to learn these advanced concepts. In addition, I am considering working on the GMATClub questions that many people seem to find difficult. Lastly, I will be redoing all of the OG Quant questions just to make sure that I do not get rusty on the easier type of questions. I do not plan on spending any time working on the Verbal section since I have done well on this section on a consistent basis without any prep (scored >40 on all practice tests as well as on the real GMAT).
Can you please let me know how I can tweak my study plans to get the most out of these 3 weeks of preparation? I really want to score in the 750’s and would greatly appreciate your help on how I should approach prep. I am sorry for the long post. I just thought that being detailed would help you make a better recommendation.
Thanks.
Goals: I am happy with my verbal score but I think my quant score needs improvement. Ideally, I would like to score a 50 in the Quant section and 40+ in the verbal section. As far as the composite score is concerned, I would like to get a score around 750 or above.
Reasons for wanting to retake the GMAT: Firstly, my Quant score is in the 75th percentile and is considered low for many of the top MFin programs (I am looking at the MFin programs in MIT and LSE, and the MSc in Financial Economics at Oxford). I believe this could have a negative impact on admissions to these programs. Secondly, my composite of 720 (94th percentile) puts me right in the middle/lower-middle range for most of these programs. I feel that a higher comp score will give me a better shot at securing merit-based scholarship.
Preparation leading up to the first GMAT: I spent about a month preparing for the first GMAT. I spent about 2-3 hours/day on average working on the math section and did not spend a single minute looking at verbal. I went through all of MGMAT's books on math and completed every single problem in the OG. For the OG, I recorded my performance for every single problem. After going through all of them, I redid every single problem that I had taken too long to complete or had gotten wrong. I also did both the official GMAT tests and a couple of MGMAT tests. By the end of this one-month study period, my Math score was consistently hovering around the 47-49 range.
How did I feel about the real GMAT: I thought my performance on the GMAT was reflective of my performance on the practice problems and practice tests. I wasn't anxious and I did not get a score that was extremely high or low as compared to the practice tests. Based on this experience, I feel that I can consistently score in the 700-730 range given my current level of preparation and understanding.
Current Strengths: I think I have a fairly good understanding of the basic concepts tested in the GMAT. Through repetition, I have become good at answering common questions within a minute or less. I have also been able to develop a good sense for when to ditch a problem that is taking too long. Combined, these two skills have allowed me to become good at finishing the Quant section on time.
Areas for Improvement: Firstly, I think there still is room for me to become better at identifying common problems and applying a tested method to solve these problems. This should increase the number of problems that I can solve in 1 min. Secondly, I need to become better at solving the tougher 700-800 level questions. I think I wasn’t able to solve a majority of these in the real test.
Going Forward: I am thinking of giving the GMAT again in about 3 weeks. I think I will be able to devote 2 hours a day during the weekdays and up to 5 hours on the weekends. This should give 50-60 practice hours in total by the new GMAT date. I have purchased the MGMAT Advanced Quant book. I plan on going over the book to learn these advanced concepts. In addition, I am considering working on the GMATClub questions that many people seem to find difficult. Lastly, I will be redoing all of the OG Quant questions just to make sure that I do not get rusty on the easier type of questions. I do not plan on spending any time working on the Verbal section since I have done well on this section on a consistent basis without any prep (scored >40 on all practice tests as well as on the real GMAT).
Can you please let me know how I can tweak my study plans to get the most out of these 3 weeks of preparation? I really want to score in the 750’s and would greatly appreciate your help on how I should approach prep. I am sorry for the long post. I just thought that being detailed would help you make a better recommendation.
Thanks.
07 Oct 2014, 16:20
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If you are scoring a 48 in Quant, it means you are still missing quite a few questions (maybe around 10). Don't focus on speed. Focus on consistency.
Are you keeping an error log? Before diving into too many practice problems, I would start logging which question types you are consistently failing on. A strategic approach to target specific weakness will help in the long run.
Are you keeping an error log? Before diving into too many practice problems, I would start logging which question types you are consistently failing on. A strategic approach to target specific weakness will help in the long run.
07 Oct 2014, 16:34
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Thanks colorbrandon. I agree with you, I think there is still a lot of room for improvement in the quant section. I did keep a detailed error log for the Official Guide including the time spent on each question and my answer for each question. Given that I only have 3 weeks left before the next test, would you suggest diving into the advanced quant material or would it be better if I redid all the problems in the OG?
