Last visit was: 11 Dec 2024, 15:28 It is currently 11 Dec 2024, 15:28
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
osanchez0105
Joined: 24 Apr 2019
Last visit: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 15
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
baru
Joined: 18 Jan 2018
Last visit: 02 Dec 2020
Posts: 206
Own Kudos:
292
 [1]
Given Kudos: 72
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Healthcare
GPA: 3.87
WE:Design (Manufacturing)
Posts: 206
Kudos: 292
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
osanchez0105
Joined: 24 Apr 2019
Last visit: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 15
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
rohan2345
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 29 Jan 2015
Last visit: 29 Aug 2024
Posts: 1,372
Own Kudos:
2,988
 [1]
Given Kudos: 144
Location: India
WE:General Management (Consumer Packaged Goods)
Products:
Posts: 1,372
Kudos: 2,988
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
osanchez0105
I am applying to a M.S.F dual program and my application has already been reviewed (I was been granted conditional admission since I have a strong GPA). The minimum requirement for admission is 680 GMAT score since the program is only available to finance students within the college and they tend to be quite selective (3.85 GPA and up, 80th> GMAT score). Notice that I was taking four summer classes during summer B to finish up both of my minors (I just finished them last week). Initially, I scheduled the GMAT for late September but the Admission Office notified me about 20 days ago that my scores had to be in by July 10th. I knew that with the time constrains in my summer schedule, I wasn't going to have enough time as I would have liked to fully dive into the GMAT prep, so I registered for June 22nd, and then again for July 8th (just two days before scores are due).

Today, I took the GMAT for the first time and my score was (39Q 33V 8IR-600) . I was quite surprised but as I submitted the verbal section I knew that I had underestimated this test and its ability to turn basic concepts into a weapon of self-esteem destruction. Notice that I am not a native english speaker; yet, I moved to the US at a really young age and English is technically my mother tongue. Furthermore, I have a minor in philosophy and applied mathematics, which makes this score even more unbearable.

For the verbal section, I am sure that I did not miss a single RC question but SC questions got the best of me. I signed up for EmpowerGMAT course and paired it with the OG for about a month which doesn't really adhere to my learning style. I started studying consistently 2-3hrs per day, though I cannot attest that I was studying efficiently. Watching videos and following along wasn't cutting it for me (I think the platform itself is helpful to touch up on your foundations, but scoring over 700 requires a deeper understanding of the concepts). The OG has good questions, which are truly accurate as far as content. I was misled to think that the OG was going to get me in shape for the exam. I took the first CAT on the GMAT website 3 days ago and scored a 660 Q40 V40 IR8. Just as I suspected, SC questions were out to get me. I had gotten every single CR and RC question right on the exam but I wasn't getting SC questions. I liked the split and since my time was limited I tried to focus on on what improving what I already knew.

Today, I sat for the exam and jumped right into the IR section. Scored an 8/8 and moved on. Essay was quite simple, prompt was about profitability and it was shaped around macroeconomics which brightened up my eyes. I found the conclusion, picked up 3-4 flaws, and wrote over 700 words with 5 min left in the clock. The quant section was a whole different study. I decided to spend some extra time on the first couple questions and make sure that I was getting at least the first 10 right. It turns out that I am fairly certain that I had a 70-30 split which gave me higher level questions but it was too late. I dumped a couple probability and advanced overlapping sets questions to try to make up for the time lost but it did not help. I had to rush through the rest of the section and guess on the last 2-3 questions. I was already exhausted before walking into the test center, I only managed to sleep less than 3 hrs last night so verbal was gibberish.

My take away message from this experience is that I did not have a strong grasp of the concepts being tested. I think that in order to maximize my potential, I have to come up with a better rounded, more organized approach. Honestly, this past two weeks I spent prep videos set me back, when in reality I should have been focusing more on math theory rather than on silly applications and pattern-finding strategies. I cancelled my score, walked out with my head up high, and promised to return better equipped to take the beast down. I know that if I manage to master SC questions, my score will see a huge jump; nevertheless, I realized that I do not know math at all. I guess all those hours I spent studying calculus theorems in college did not pay off. As soon as I left the testing center, I ordered the MGMAT bundle which should be arriving on Monday so I can start from scratch and come up with a proactive wait to beat the test.

Here are my questions:
1- I have 16 days before the next exam, how can used these time efficiently to make sure I am fully equipped for the exam?
2- More realistically, is a 100 points improvement possible in my case?
3- I am willing to commit 24 hrs per day starting tomorrow, given this time frame, what should I be doing and what shouldn't be doing?

Materials and resources I currently have at my disposal:

1- OG Bundle with the Quant/Verbal Review included.
2- EmpowerGmat Subscription
3- MGMAT 6th edition bundle
4- GMATClub Tests
5- All 6 GMAT Practice Exams

I became aware that the MGAT SC book is a must have, so I am looking forward to using it. My two main issues are: poor time management in the quant section (whenever I see hard questions I get overconfident) and sentence correction (I exhausted every single SC question from the OG and the Verbal Review). So I really need help to come up with a good plan to manage my time better on the quant section. I know that a significant improvement in SC will put my verbal score over the 95th percentile but the quant section is my biggest concern right now. I haven't been timing myself during practice and when I do, careless mistakes become more predominant (specially on DS questions at the 700+).


Hi osanchez0105,

Welcome to GMATCLUB! For Quant stick to GMATCLUB Tests. Before going on to the 700+ questions, try to master the 600-700 level questions first. Once your feel you have 80%+ accuracy in the 600-700 level questions under timed environment, you can move on the do the 700+ questions.

For Verbal there are very few genuinely good questions available. Since you have exhausted the OG and Verbal review, you can buy the GMATPREP Official Questions from Mba.com which consist of some great verbal questions divided into the level of difficulty. I am sure it will be a great addition to your resources. Try the solve all the SC questions over the next 16 days. I am sure you will find it very helpful.

Hope this helps. All the best!
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,807
Own Kudos:
12,053
 [1]
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,807
Kudos: 12,053
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi osanchez0105,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not go as well as hoped. From what you describe, you were testing under less-than-ideal circumstances. Having to take the GMAT 2.5 MONTHS earlier than expected would be challenging for just about anyone (since most Test Takers hit their 'peak' Scores after 3 months - or more - of consistent, guided study). Sleeping just 3 hours the night before your Exam also likely hurt your ability to concentrate - especially later on when you faced the Verbal section. Under these circumstances, it's also an odd choice to begin with the the Essay and IR sections - since that would have added another hour of work that you had to complete before you got to the Verbal section. All things considered, I think that you probably have the knowledge to score higher than this 600 - although there are clearly still areas that you need to work on - and you'll have to plan out Test Day (as well as the lead-up to Test Day) a bit more strategically.

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 timeline:

Studies:
1) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs/mocks so far (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
2) What time is your Exam on July 10th?
3) What happens if you don't submit a 680 by July 10th? Is there still a chance that you could be accepted into this Program? Will you apply to any other Programs?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
avatar
osanchez0105
Joined: 24 Apr 2019
Last visit: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 15
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Rich,

Thank you for your feedback. I’ve taken two official GMAT CATS in total (I have 4 left plus 6 of the MGMAT CATS). My scores were as follow:

GMAT CAT 1: 660 40Q 40V IR 8 (2 weeks ago)
GMAT CAT 2: 620 44Q 36V IR 8
1 week ago)
TEST DAY: 600 39Q 33V IR 8

For the first CAT I didn’t miss a single RC or CR question. Weaknesses were spotted on the the SC section. Same for the second CAT but with the difference that I missed 1 CR question and I RC question and 2 more SC than on the first CAT. IR has been a walk in the park (perfect score all three times).

My exam on is on June 8th (Monday) at 8:00am. If I don’t submit a 680 score by that date I could still apply in the fall but my chances of admission would be greatly reduced, if I do decide to wait, then I’ll 100% have to score in the 90th percentile.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,807
Own Kudos:
12,053
 [1]
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,807
Kudos: 12,053
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi osanchez0105,

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

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
avatar
osanchez0105
Joined: 24 Apr 2019
Last visit: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 15
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hey Rich,

I just wanted to update you in my GMAT journey. I ended up rescheduling for the 10th and I finally got it over with. I ended up scoring a 740 (49Q 42V 8IR) and I am quite sure that I nailed the essay too. I managed to get some sleep as opposed to my past experience 2 weeks ago. In the past 2 weeks, I worked on my math foundations and went over all the MGMAT quant books. I went back to empowerGMAT and revisited some of the tactics you discussed as well as most of the videos for sentence correction. On the last 2 days before test day, I rushed through MGMAT Advanced Quant Book and took a CAT 24 hrs before the actual exam. I am quite disappointed with my quant score if I am being honest, since I scored a 51Q on my last two CATS but at least I managed to kill SC, which was my achilles heel. Thanks for the help, and it turns out that 100+ points improvement in 2 weeks is possible if you put your mind to it.

All my best!
OS

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,807
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,807
Kudos: 12,053
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi osanchez0105,

That's OUTSTANDING news! With this 740/Q49, it certainly appears that you're all set for the MSF Dual Program that you've already applied to (although with this Score, you could comfortably apply to ANY Schools that interest you!) Even though you might be a little disappointed with the Q49, that's still a fantastic performance as well - one that most Test Takers will never achieve on the Official GMAT!

Congratulations on all of your successes so far!

Another GMAT Assassin has been made!
Rich