Strategy for Verbal

Question

Hello Team

I took my GMAT today and scored 570(v24 q45). I have been studying for past 2 months before giving this test. Could you help me with ways in which I can improve my verbal score?
For my studying, I read through the MGMAT books, Powerscore for CR and practiced only the official questions. I also took two GMAT prep mocks and scored 610(v28) & 640(v33). Could you please help me how to move forward with my prep and how to improve my verbal score.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi soumya730,

Since you need help with verbal, I have a great article that you can check out:

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi soumya730,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as hoped. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you studied for just 2 months, then that would likely be a factor in why you did not score higher yet. In addition, when these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) When you say that you used "official" questions, what specific study materials are you referring to?
3) Have you taken any other CATs/mocks besides the 2 that you listed? On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

760+: What GMAT Assassins Do To Score at the Highest Levels

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi soumya730,

Let me answer your questions and there by help you in the process of improving your score.

How to go about your retake? 
GMAT Verbal is mostly about the application and the logical approach. For example, to solve SC questions, you don't have to learn a lot of grammatical rules. SC questions on GMAT test your ability to convey the right meaning without any ambiguity. So, you have to approach them from the meaning stand-point. And GMAT Verbal is mostly about eliminating four incorrect answer choices rather than choosing the right one. So, once you understand the intended meaning the original sentence is trying to convey, it's all about eliminating answer choices which either are grammatically incorrect or do not convey the intended meaning.

I know it's not that easy as it sounds. But if you prepare in the right way, then you can definitely improve your score. Just focus on the right things and do your preparation in a more structured way. Go through the recording below to understand the right way to improve your Verbal score.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sD35ZuGgD4

The importance of using a standard resource:  
The only method to make sure that you invest your time, money and effort in an effective way is to use a standard resource which teaches you the concepts, strategies and also helps you work on your weaker areas. Studying using OG or a few random resources might help you to solve GMAT like questions but I’m afraid that they won’t be able to help you much from a strategy perspective. Always choose a resource which can help you with the application part along with the concepts. Because, the better your application skills are, the better your performance is going to be.  And one important aspect in the process of working on your weak areas is analyzing solutions. You need to analyze the solutions in depth to understand the exact step at which you are making the mistake . This is one of the most effective ways to learn the right methodology and to nullify your gaps.

I would suggest you to go for some standard course for your Verbal preparation at least which can help you prepare in a structured and efficient manner thereby increasing your productivity. It’s always better to spare some more time on your preparation until you are ready instead of missing out on your dream colleges/ b-schools in hurry.

GMATWhiz helps you with all these things as we follow a  structured and methodical way of teaching things , which makes the learning process simpler and efficient. It also helps you to develop an understanding of the test maker’s intention behind asking the question. It uses an  AI powered learning platform  to provide you with  real time improvement modules  after every practice quiz. It provides you with additional concept videos and practise quizzes which helps you overcome your weaker areas in a specific topic right away without having to put in additional effort to identify your weaker areas.

You can check out GMATWhiz and go for its Verbal Prep Course.

How to identify errors and correct errors? 
 
 Identify if it's the concepts or the application of the topic in which you are struggling 
 If it's the concept, then revisit the concepts of that topic and make sure you understand perfectly this time 
 If it's the methodology, then analyze the solutions of the questions of that topic in depth

This is how you should work on your weak areas. Having said that, working on your weak areas becomes really easy using GMATWhiz. The AI driven course automatically provides you with additional improvement modules for a topic in which your performance is not very great. This way you can work on your weak areas right away without any delay. And the dashboard will always help you identify your weak areas in case you want to work on them again.

Mock tests: 
If you haven't exhausted all the official mocks, then I would suggest you to stick with them. But I suggest you to not to take any mock now. Wait till you feel confident and see an improvement.

Hope this helped. If you wish to connect with me to discuss more about the study strategy, you can use the below link to do so.

Click here to schedule a call

ReedArnoldMPREP · Answer

Hi Soumya,

Find the link in my strategy, "The Studying for Verbal Starter Kit." It has several free videos and resources that will give you a solid foundation on some of the biggest concepts, strategies, and study habits you'll need to boost your verbal.

Strategy for Verbal

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