Seeking suggestion: 510 in Kaplan test (Diagnostic)

Question

Dear altruists, This is my very first post here and I am sure that it will not be my last one (unless something happens to me in this dire situation).

After reading a myriad of posts, I decided to attempt my diagnostic test with Kaplan full-length free CAT a few months ago. Though I did not have any prior preparation, I scored a miserable 510 (Quant 37 and Verbal 23). I haven't appeared in any GMAT Prep tests yet since I don't want to waste the questions. However, as I have completed MGMAT guides and Powerscore CR bible, I will soon sit for the first GMAT Prep test. I have approximately 4 months in my hand and I may not be able to spend any money on any test prep courses or mock tests, except for official ones. So, it will be wonderful if you can let me know your thoughts on the following questions: 1. What resource should I finish other than official questions (V: 4000+ Q:3700), Bunuel Signature Collection, and LSAT RC?

2. How do you write your errors in your error log for the best use of them?

3. How many questions do/should I need to solve every day? (Maybe a bit Verbal focused) (P.S. Definitely following @abhimahna's advice on solving 2 passages per day)

4. After completing MGMAT guides and Powerscore CR bible, I feel like I have forgotten most of the core concepts or tips. Should I take my GMAT Prep test anyway to gauge my level?

Thanks a ton for your valuable comments in advance and I really hope to write a debrief like "A remarkable journey from 510 to 720" one day.

gmatgames · Answer

Go for a course.
TTp for Quant.
And Egmat or gmatwhiz for Verbal.

homersimpsons · Answer

these links should help https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-definiti ... ml?fl=menu https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-co ... ml?fl=menu https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-bo ... ml?fl=menu

Russ19 · Answer

You can review all the concepts mastered already, and you can also go through the video lessons of gmatninja: https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-nin ... l#p2396353

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jarbit,

Your original 510 was a solid initial CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years). If that Score is several months old at this point, then we have no idea what your current 'ability level' is; as such, you should plan to take a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend. Make sure to take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, if you'll be at a Test Center, then wear a face mask, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss the results and how you might best proceed with your studies.

Before I can offer you any additional advice, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What type of study routine have you been following? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) Have you used any other study materials besides the ones you mentioned?

Goals:
3) Is your overall goal score 720 or something else?
4) 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

jarbit · Answer

Hello  EMPOWERgmatRichC ,

Thank you for your response to my post and inspiring comment, Rich. As suggested and mentioned in my post, I will give a mock test a really soon in the way you mentioned and report the score in this thread.

Studies:
1. Currently, I am investing 3-4 hours (Pomodoro technique) in every weekday and 5-6 hours in weekends and solving around 5-6 questions per topic. So, you could say that I did not set a specific study routine yet.
2. Not yet.

Goals:
3. Yes. My dream is to achieve 720 or beyond. 
4. I am targeting to apply for 2021 fall. Rotman, Schulich, Smith, and Ivey are my top favourites till now.

BTW, every time I see a comment of yours in other posts, I get motivated by the line "GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made". Hope to forge a GMAT assassin within me.

Jarbit

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jarbit,

If you're not planning to apply to School until later on this year, then you have given yourself plenty of time to continue studying and work on your applications - which is great! Since you know the specific Schools that interest you, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

That next CAT/mock result should provide some really important information in terms of what you should be focused on during this next stage of your studies, but it's worth noting that a CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically shouldn't take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. Going forward, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week.

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

jarbit · Answer

Thanks Rich for your comment and I mistakenly wrote 2022 instead of 2021. That's a really good suggestion and I will throw a comment to a relevant admission expert. And I am also keeping it in mind to give one test per week. Thank you once again.

Russ19 · Answer

Manhattan Prep GMAT prep hour is also useful as it has a lot of good stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YANbmNMRkrM

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jarbit,

If you are planning to apply in 2021, then the specific application deadlines that you are facing will impact your overall timeline, so we need to be specific about that information (especially if those deadlines are coming up in the next several months).

1) What specific deadlines are you facing for each of the Schools that you plan to apply to?
2) Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi jarbit,

I see that you plan to take an official practice GMAT. Once you do, please report back with your score breakdown, and we can take things from there.

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Seeking suggestion: 510 in Kaplan test (Diagnostic)

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