Struggling to improve my score results

Question

Dear fellow GMATers,

I have been practicing GMAT for 4-5 months now and have been taking some tests. However although I am improving in maths where I answer all of the "easy" questions right in the topics:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/150-hardest- ... 04132.html

and

https://gmatclub.com/forum/150-hardest- ... 04134.html

I still seem to be struggling get up in score. I am in fact constantly arround 400-500 bracket, which is very unsatisfactory for me(!)

How can it be that although I answer all of the above mentioned practice questions right, which are by the way categorised as sub 600 level, I still get such a terrible score? Any tips on how to improve?

EDIT: Just did a test today with this result:

Scale Score Percentile
Integrated 4 40
Verbal 25 40
Quantitative 31 20
Total 480 24

Kind regards,
Anders

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Iskov,

It's been over 3 months since your initial series of posts, so it would help to know how you've been studying during that time:

1) What study materials have you used during that time?
2) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
3) Is your goal score still 550/600?
4) Your original plan was to take the GMAT by the end of June? Since you are not scoring near your Goals yet, what is your plan now?

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

iskov · Answer

Dear Rich, thank you for your response! You remember correctly I am still practicing for the GMAT. I have been very busy with my bachelor dissertation, which has definitely had an effect on my focus on GMAT. I will answer the questions you have asked below:

1) What study materials have you used during that time?
 I have been using Magoosh, OG books and these forums.

2) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
 I aven't taken any other tests recently. Initially I got 400. I expected to improve more though. 
3) Is your goal score still 550/600?
 I do not see 600 as realistical. However, I do hope to score in the 500's, though I know it is even high expectations.

4) Your original plan was to take the GMAT by the end of June? Since you are not scoring near your Goals yet, what is your plan now?
 I am officially taking the GMAT on 6th of July, so my time is limited.

AkshdeepS · Answer

Hi Anders,

GMAT needs a very specific way of practice and just by spending time on questions for 3 to 4 months would not be enough. The adaptive pattern of GMAT makes it difficult and you need to work accordingly. Start from basics and mark your weak areas in both Q and V. Work on them from lower level questions that are mostly ignored by test takers. It is important to note down your mistakes every time you make one. Review of tests and daily practice questions is an important part of preparation. GMAT is test based on logic and pattern . The more you will be able to crack the pattern hidden in the question using logic, the more you will be successful. Work on RC every day as it is the most time consuming part of GMAT.

QZ

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Iskov,

There's a big difference between performing well on small quizzes or random sets of practice questions and performing at a high level on a FULL CAT taken under realistic conditions. As such, it's possible that the way that you've been studying is actually keeping you from scoring higher on the Full Test; since you do well on small practice sets, you think that you have developed the necessary skills to do well on Test Day. You probably know the content reasonably well, but your Tactics and organization need a lot of work - and you need to train to make good decisions under 'higher-pressure' situations (re: when the clock is winding down on Test Day).

With your current Test Date, you have about 1.5 weeks remaining. Based on everything that you've described, I think that you have developed a number of 'bad habits' that will take time to fix (and replace with new 'good habits') - and that training will take far more than the time that you have allotted. At this point, I think that you should consider reaching out to the School that you're interested in and ask to delay your application; it certainly seems as though the School's representatives are interested in you, so they might agree to the request.

If you have the option, then I would suggest pushing back your Test Date. If you still plan to take the Exam on July 6th, then you should note that to hit your Goal Score you do NOT need to correctly answer ANY questions that are too hard or too weird - so the smartest move would be to quickly 'dump' a few questions and use that extra time to do more work (and double-check it when appropriate) on everything else.

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

iskov · Answer

Thank you so much for the answers both of you!

Unfortunately I am not able to postpone my test, so I will do my the last week I have and see what they say.

I will keep your points in mind and work on them over the next couple of days.

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