Scoring 700 at 3rd January 2016

Question

Hey guys,
so I started about a month ago studying for the GMAT. I took one of the GMAT Prep tests at first and started at 480, with Q24 and V32. I have worked through "Cracking the GMAT" from Princeton Review and some of the free Economist tutor and took 4 CATs, and now am at about 580.
Usually, I was planning to take the GMAT next week on Sunday, but actually rescheduled it to gain more time to study.
Also, I have skimmed over most of the resources at GMAT Club already to see what to do, but I got the impression that most of the study plans are for people working full time. 
Being a student, I only work two days a week, so I can spend most of my time studying for the GMAT. At the same time, I sadly do not have the money to buy the recommended guides, so I guess I will have to stick with the OG and free online resources.
As for Verbal e.g. I know that my biggest weaknesses are RC and CR. At Quant I somehow seem to make to many careless errors still, and sometimes fall for the traps.
My plan would be to study Quant only the next week, and after that Verbal only and see where it takes me.
Can you give me some hints on how to improve furthermore? Would really appreciate it!

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi yalden,

Going by your scores, it is clear that you need to have a better understanding of the concepts. The cause is not just the silly mistakes.
OG is an excellent resource to solidify on your fundamentals, but unfortunately it is not a study book. So you need to get your hands on some preparatory course to prepare well. Since you can devote more time, you need 2 - 3 months to prepare well for the GMAT. So 700 by the 3rd of January might be very difficult to achieve.

Our On Demand course is available for just $99. You can opt for a free trial and see if the course suits your needs.

1. Did you get the 580 on GMAT prep CAT?

yalden · Answer

My admission deadline is January 15th, and January 3rd is unfortunately the last opportunity to schedule the GMAT before it passes. I agree that I need to improve my understanding of the concepts and I feel a bit lost as in how to get there. Your offer is well appreciated, unfortunately, the GMAT + books and TOEFL have already cost me so much that I am broke now.

Edit: I calculated the 580 from the score estimating tool, I did the free Veritas Prep CAT.

Edit: I calculated the 580 from the score estimating tool, I did the free Veritas Prep CAT.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

From your post, it sounds like you're planning to apply to just one Program. Is that the case? Does that Program have any other later admissions rounds? I ask because your current Test Date gives you just 4 weeks of study time remaining. If you're going to limit yourself to just free resources, then you'll likely need more time than that to hit your score goals.

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

yalden · Answer

I know it sucks, but I can't help it right now and have to study with what's available. 
Well, it's just the deadline of my favorite program, other programs have later deadlines luckily. And yes, it will definitely be tough and maybe it won't work out for me. But I'm super amibitious and will dedicate all of my available time to the GMAT.
How should I set up my study plan from now on?
Love your signature btw!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

When was the last time you took a FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)? What were your scores (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

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

yalden · Answer

Big game changer, I managed to get the Manhattan Strategy Books(2012 edition) 1-9 from the local library, so I now have some decent resources to prepare with. I am so excited right now.

My last full CAT was last Friday(that Veritas one) , resulting in Q34 V29. Maybe it's also important for you to know that I'm from Germany.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

You'll likely find those books to be quite helpful. Using that last FULL CAT as a gauge, you'll have to make some big improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Since you're on a limited timeframe, its really important that you take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) each time and that you try to do everything in your power to make each CAT 'experience' match up with the parameters of your Official GMAT (so take the FULL CAT, away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc.).

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

yalden · Answer

So I did GmatPrep1 today and scored a solid 640, with Q44/V34. I have noticed that, although I do not face these while practicing, when I took the CAT under test conditions, I had some timing issues. Usually, when doing OG verbal, I do sets of ~20 questions mixed in type and difficulty and get 70-90% right. 
I have analyzed my data and found that I messed up for both Q and V in the 2nd half. I know that's a stamina issue, but I also got really nervous because I felt that I am always lagging behind. While in Quant, I had no problems with letting a problem go that was simply too hard, in Verbal I just did not know when to let go, and what question type. Do you have any advise on this and on what I should focus in my last days? Should I even take another CAT or should I now try to adjust my timing in other ways?
Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

With a 640, you're actually not that far away from 700+. However, at higher scoring levels, the GMAT becomes really 'sensitive' to little mistakes. If you make too many mistakes, then the 700+ score will simply be impossible to achieve. To that end, you should review this CAT and determine WHY you were getting questions wrong. How many were because of little mistakes, how many were because the question was too hard and how many were because you were low on time (and had to guess). The little mistakes should be the easiest things to fix in these last few days. You should NOT be doing too much studying though (NO CRAMMING!) and you should not take any more CATs either (you'd run the risk of 'burn out' before your Exam.

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

yalden · Answer

I ended up scoring 600, with Q40,V33. Interestingly enough, I didn't study for IR at all and got the full 8 points :shock:

I will assess my possibilities and will probably retake some day in the future. Thanks for the support, Rich!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

While a 600 isn't an exciting score, it's still above-average, and it might be enough to help you get into Business School.

1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
2) Other than the immediate deadline you described, what are the other application deadlines?

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

yalden · Answer

Hi Rich,I am planning to apply for MSc in Economics to the following schools
-University of Cologne, Germany
-Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
-Maastricht University, Netherlands
-Stockholm School of Economics

Other deadlines are either in March, May and July.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yalden,

Knowing the specific Schools that interest you is good - you can research each of them in more detail to get a better sense of how your GMAT score compares. Most Schools/Programs will post an Average GMAT score for past incoming classes and will often include additional data (the 'middle 80%' of GMAT scores, etc.). It's important to note that the School's Average GMAT score is NOT a minimal score requirement - so for example, if the average GMAT score is 620, then your 600 is clearly 'in the range' of what the School is looking for.

The 'other' deadlines are far enough off that you could continue to study and retake the GMAT as needed. If you end up choosing to retest, then you can feel free to contact me directly with any questions you might have about your Study Plans going forwards.

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

yalden · Answer

That's what I'm going to do. Thank you very much for your support, which I appreciate a lot.

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