Road to 700 and get off waitlist

Question

Hi GMAT Clubbers

Non Native. Indian. Male. IT. Not under represented.

Second attempt GMAT 600 - Q 47. V 27.

Was scoring a lot higher in practice tests.

EMPOWERgmatMax

I used to be surprised when he always talks about how the practice test was taken. Thought I could manage it in the mains. But no. This is important. I faltered here.

I have got ding in few universities. Wait listed without interview in my priority(as of now) university. I have sent out an email to wait list university asking to opt in and that I am gonna retake. No response from them as of now.

Interview invite from one university..

This would be a log where in I update my prep and get advice from experts too. Planning to take test in 6 weeks.

MATERIALS I HAVE GOT

1. Magoosh
2. Manhattan all books
3. Veritas Prep
4. Official Guides.

I used to study with EGMAT. But it is expired now. So I will go with the materials I have got now.

Few materials I have gone through earlier. I am in for GMAT CLUB TESTS. I had done about 200 odd problems. I am confident that if I can complete all of those questions, I'd have a Q50.

Started with Magoosh SC - easy

Regards
BlueMatter.

Regards BlueMatter.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi BlueMatter.,

You've directly quoted EMPOWERgmatMax, but have you worked through the EMPOWERgmat Course as part of your studies?

Beyond that question, I have a few others about your studies so far:
1) How long did you study before each of your two GMAT attempts?
2) What materials did you use for each attempt?
3) What were your scores on your 1st GMAT attempt?

4) Have the Universities specifically told you that the issue with your application is your GMAT score? And how did you determine that a score of 700 is required?

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

bluematter · Answer

WORKING ON A PLAN AND TO FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE !!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi bluematter,

While 100 hours might seem like a lot of time, you didn't give any context for how 'spread out' that 100 hours was. Was that 1 total month of study time? Was it 2 or 3 months? These details matter (for example, if you tried to 'cram', then that would help to explain why you didn't achieve a higher score improvement).

1) How were you scoring on your practice CATs?
2) Were you taking the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?

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

bluematter · Answer

1) How were you scoring on your practice CATs?

Was scoring around 620s in Manhattan and Veritas Prep

Like about 43 odd in math and 34 odd in Verbal.

But mains was 47 and 27.
 
2) Were you taking the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?

I had taken a few . But more than half were only Math and Verbal..

Caught up in few commitments. Not able to site through the prep. Will start soon.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi bluematter,

The GMAT is a specific 'event' which you can train for, but you have to be focused on the details. Keep in mind that the accuracy of CAT results depends heavily on how YOU choose to take the CATs. The more realistic and 'test-like' you make those experiences, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. If you deviate from the standard Test Day 'event' (skipping sections, taking it at home, taking it at a different time of day from your Official Test time, etc.), then your scores can deviate too.

In the broader sense, you also have to invest in the proper materials that will teach you the Tactics, content, patterns and little 'secrets' to the Test, so that you train to incorporate all of that into how you 'see' (and respond to) the Exam.

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

bluematter · Answer

I am gonna start slow with my prep .. Kind of warm up from today

Gonna start with official guide today :-D

Would do a count down from Jan 1st

Planning to buy EMPOWERgmat for prep. Heard good things. But the best thing i feel as of now is the checklists they provide. To keep track !!! Wish me luch

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi bluematter,

If you're open to practicing the proper Tactics and you do the necessary work to hone your skills, then you can absolutely achieve your goals. If you have any questions going forward, you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

Kelzie01 · Answer

Seriously, I use Empower and the check lists are the ****!! Perfect amount of accomplishment to keep you motivated. Also, you damn engineers and your quant scores. :wink:

Question for you since you're strong on Quant: do you have extra time? Verbal's my strong suit and I always have like 20 minutes extra, at least. I'm curious if strong Quant people experience the same. Mostly cause I'm jealous.

bluematter · Answer

Nope. I make sure I use much of the time to recheck the first few questions. The last time I gave my GMAT I really panicked in math and I had about 10 min for questions

There is a Manhattan blog post on Time Management. I try to follow that

bluematter · Answer

Happpy New Year guys !!! Count down starts today :-D

Planning to book my exam date on Feb 15th. Starting with Magoosh Prep now. Will move to EMPOWERGMAT next week. I commute for about 3 - 4 hours each day to office .. Should use that time efficiently .. ROUGH PLAN Early Morning 1 hr - Math Commute time 1 hr - Prep Apps / Official Guides / Error Logs Commute time 1 hr - Prep Apps / Official Guides / Error Logs Night Prep 1 hr - Verbal Saturdays VERBAL ONLY Sundays TEST and REVIEW My weakness is Verbal. I would dedicate more time for that and at the same time I think there is room for improvement in Math. So I am gonna prepare for that too.

Kelzie01 · Answer

That's a hell of a commute! Let me know how you like magoosh. I'm thinking of supplementing with their math.

bluematter · Answer

Magoosh for MATH is really AWESOME !!! Scored a Q48 with magoosh math and little of OG. Sending you a PM on this

bluematter · Answer

Hi guys Attached the plan ///Didnt plan for every day topic wise or the material to use. But should follow the plan and reach the target

bluematter · Answer

DAY 1 Starting with EASY SCs in 150-hardest-and-easiest-questions-for-sc-204136.html Probably should complete this today and work on some math.

bluematter · Answer

DAY 1 Started with SC. Did 100 easy SCs in the 150 list. About 90%+ answers are correct. Other silly mistakes. Pasted them in separate word document. Correct Answers in Green . My choice in RED. Gaining momentum. . Very sick .. Hence didnt get to do math. But according to plan it was only warm up

:) So a good day i guess. Day 1 Warm up . Worked out Sentence Correction Sums Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19 Day 20 Day 21 Day 22 Day 23 Day 24 Day 25 Day 26 Day 27 Day 28 Day 29 Day 30

bluematter · Answer

Also there is some point system in GMAT Club

Didnt fully understand how it works. But climbing up the ranking ladder in SC forum

Kelzie01 · Answer

I assume you get points based off of correct answers. It's fun to see where you are in the ranking!

bluematter · Answer

DAY 2 Wanted some confidence

Started with 150 easy PS. Completed about 30 odd. Had planned for 40. Decided not to start with easy Math. I had a Q 48 on my first official GMAT. Probably should only work on GMAT CLUB TESTS. Only then reaching a Q 50 looks feasible !!! Have a great day ahead guys :-D

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Road to 700 and get off waitlist

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards