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11 Aug 2022, 18:14
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I'm at the end of my rope with the quant section and need some guidance on how to best take a step back and re-tool my study strategy. Alternatively, I am open to the idea that I am just intellectually incapable of going to business school and should instead throw in the towel - looking for honest input.
Some background:
- Took the test twice this summer, once in July and scored 710 (Q44 V44) and once this week, 710 (Q45 V42)
- Have taken a few of the GMAC practice exams since starting my studying: 750 (Q49 V42), 710 (Q47 V40), 730 (Q48 V41)
- Started TTP earlier this summer and have been studying intensively - completed almost every chapter test, mission review, etc.
- Have averaged 10 hours of studying per day for last two months straight without improvement, was studying 4-5 hours/day few days a week for 2 mos prior
==> was scoring ~48 or so on quant prior to TTP, now am struggling to break 44-45
- Targeting high 7s with Q50+
I am confused why I've had so much trouble with quant. Math, not english/history/whatever, was always my strong suit in school.
I have also (i) read countless strategy articles, (ii) watched many YouTube videos, (iii) completed literally thousands of practice questions (both OG quant books fully, almost all TTP questions, both sets of extra questions from GMAC), (iv) read many suggestions on this forum, (v) had a consultation call with a tutor. But I just can't seem to hack it. I am a firm believer the GMAT is an intelligence test, and if I am just not smart enough, fine. At least there's some closure in that.
But I can't keep spending 10 hours per day with no results. I am curious if anyone has thoughts on how to re-structure my studying, what I could possibly be doing wrong, etc. It feels like whenever I show up for the real test I just freeze, can't add numbers, get stuck behind the clock, and eventually drown.
Some background:
- Took the test twice this summer, once in July and scored 710 (Q44 V44) and once this week, 710 (Q45 V42)
- Have taken a few of the GMAC practice exams since starting my studying: 750 (Q49 V42), 710 (Q47 V40), 730 (Q48 V41)
- Started TTP earlier this summer and have been studying intensively - completed almost every chapter test, mission review, etc.
- Have averaged 10 hours of studying per day for last two months straight without improvement, was studying 4-5 hours/day few days a week for 2 mos prior
==> was scoring ~48 or so on quant prior to TTP, now am struggling to break 44-45
- Targeting high 7s with Q50+
I am confused why I've had so much trouble with quant. Math, not english/history/whatever, was always my strong suit in school.
I have also (i) read countless strategy articles, (ii) watched many YouTube videos, (iii) completed literally thousands of practice questions (both OG quant books fully, almost all TTP questions, both sets of extra questions from GMAC), (iv) read many suggestions on this forum, (v) had a consultation call with a tutor. But I just can't seem to hack it. I am a firm believer the GMAT is an intelligence test, and if I am just not smart enough, fine. At least there's some closure in that.
But I can't keep spending 10 hours per day with no results. I am curious if anyone has thoughts on how to re-structure my studying, what I could possibly be doing wrong, etc. It feels like whenever I show up for the real test I just freeze, can't add numbers, get stuck behind the clock, and eventually drown.
11 Aug 2022, 18:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi.
Maybe your first move is to change your GMAT username. I had a student who ended up breaking 700, but first he had to go to a therapist to address his low opinion of himself. I doubt it can help to read that username you have every time you're on GMAT Club.
Possibly your biggest mistake involves your seeing the GMAT as an intelligence test, not that it doesn't test intelligence, but rather the issue is that you have a rigid view of intelligence. If you instead see intelligence as a set of skills that can be developed, then regardless of whether the GMAT is a test of intelligence, you can ace it.
Then, the thing is that, because of your conception of intelligence, when things go wrong, you don't feel in control. Of course you freeze up, because you have a perception of yourself that you're a certain way, rather than that you are infinitely capable.
The bottom line is that, to master the GMAT, you have to change your conception of yourself, change your psychology, and adjust the way you are preparing, because even though you appear to be making the right moves, what you have been doing to prepare hasn't worked for some reason.
You may find this post helpful.
How GMAT Students With a Growth Mindset See Their Mistakes
Also, have you read the Strategy Lessons in TTP? If not, they could be helpful.
Finally, if you contact me via the TTP chat, I can help you check you analytics and do some other things to reach your score goal.
Maybe your first move is to change your GMAT username. I had a student who ended up breaking 700, but first he had to go to a therapist to address his low opinion of himself. I doubt it can help to read that username you have every time you're on GMAT Club.
Possibly your biggest mistake involves your seeing the GMAT as an intelligence test, not that it doesn't test intelligence, but rather the issue is that you have a rigid view of intelligence. If you instead see intelligence as a set of skills that can be developed, then regardless of whether the GMAT is a test of intelligence, you can ace it.
Then, the thing is that, because of your conception of intelligence, when things go wrong, you don't feel in control. Of course you freeze up, because you have a perception of yourself that you're a certain way, rather than that you are infinitely capable.
The bottom line is that, to master the GMAT, you have to change your conception of yourself, change your psychology, and adjust the way you are preparing, because even though you appear to be making the right moves, what you have been doing to prepare hasn't worked for some reason.
You may find this post helpful.
How GMAT Students With a Growth Mindset See Their Mistakes
Also, have you read the Strategy Lessons in TTP? If not, they could be helpful.
Finally, if you contact me via the TTP chat, I can help you check you analytics and do some other things to reach your score goal.
11 Aug 2022, 22:12
Kudos
Bookmarks
Your Verbal is consistently above V40, so it may be worth finding a study buddy who can teach you Quant in exchange. Consider if you are also doing something different on the actual exams compared to the mocks. Were you getting Q45 throughout, it may mean there are some fundamentals that are a bit slippery. There are some Quant question-run throughs on the GMAT Knight blog that may show some useful tips.
