Struggling to improve my Verbal and Quant Scores! Please help!

Question

Hi Guys,

I´m from Peru and I have been studying for about 4 weeks at a local academy (They used a mix of materiales: Manhattan, Kaplan, Princeton. I have already taken 4 practice tests ( Code 55,14,25 and 28) and scored 420, 350, 360 and 460(Average scores Verbal:20 and Quant 34).I am really disppointed with my scores and i dont see any improvement, so i´m looking for a self study course to boost my scores.

I dont know where to start. Should i study quant first? What do you guys recommend?

I´m planning on taking the examen on march 2016 and aiming to score 650+.

Thanks,

AjiteshArun · Answer

You seem to have a lot of material. Perhaps it'd be a good idea to bring in some focus instead of going through everything (though you and your instructors could already have a handle on that). Consider the tests you've already taken to be nothing more than initial practice. Your performance in the first 4 weeks is hardly a reason to be disappointed, given that you've probably not yet been able to work through all the concepts.

The good thing here is that you have time. Ensure that you keep checking your performance over these 3-4 months to see how much progress you're making.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi lucien_magnet,

A 650 is definitely achievable and you still have plenty of time at hand.
A score of Q34 and V20 suggests that you need to strengthen your concepts and fundamentals before jumping on to problem solving
Also, taking so many tests without basics in place will not help. You need to go back to the study material and understand the basics again.

At your scoring level, it is essential that you study both Quants and Verbal together else one might be left out.

Most of the preparatory companies including ours offer a free trial of the course. You can use that trial period and see if the course suits your needs.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi lucien_magnet,

With a March Test Date, and your current score goal, you have plenty of time to study and improve. I have a few questions about your studies so far and your overall timeline:

1) You refer to 4 practice Tests - were those pencil-and-paper Tests or CATs? And were they FULL TESTS (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) During these 4 weeks of study, approximately how many hours have you studied each week?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) Do you know which Schools you plan to apply to?

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

WayneHam · Answer

what's the point in doing practice tests if you're not ready for it? You'd be better off using your time to study and learn the materials and be ready and then to do the test. You could be using your time more wisely. I understand maybe doing one practice test to get the hang of the format.

lucien_magnet · Answer

Hi guys, it has been a year since i posted this.

Because of work, i stopped studying. However, i returned to study two months ago, and I have taken 5 GMATPREP CAT's

My scores were:
1. 570 Q:44 V:25 (Sep 9, 2016)
2. 510 Q42 V:20 (Sep 26, 2016)
3. 530 Q44 V:19 (Oct 1, 2016)
4. 540 Q43 V:22 (Oct 18,2016)
5. 560 Q43 V:25 (Oct 26, 2016)

Definitely, i need to increase my verbal score from 20,25 to 34 in order to achieve 650. My weaknesses are RC and CR. I have already done the OG 17 and VR 17 questions, and i really don't know what to do from here. Should i do the OG17 and VR17 questions again???

I want to apply to second round deadline in January 2018.

Please help!!

best regards,

Lucien

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Lucien,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your 5 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). As such, your current ability is right around the mid-500s 'level.' There are a number of different 'score combinations' that will get you to a 650+, but you'll likely have to make improvements to BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections to hit your score goal.

Since you're back to studying, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying recently and your goals:

1) What materials have you used?
2) Had you taken any of these 5 practice CATs before?

Goals:
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

lucien_magnet · Answer

Hi Rich,

Here are my answers:

1)i have been studying on a local academy that uses Manhattan 6th edition for verbal and math. Og16,17,VRQR 16,17
2) i never took those CATs before (GMATPREP)
3) i am planning to take the Gmat max on Nov 30th
4) I want to apply to UCSD,USD,UCIrvine, Foster school of business.

Thank you!!

Lucien

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Lucien,

With a November 30th Test Date, you have a little more than 4 weeks to raise your score 90+ points. While that is possible, it might be too challenging (you would have a much better chance of hitting your goal if you had 2 months of consistent, guided study).

1) Since your application deadlines are not until January, is there a particular reason why you want to take the GMAT by November 30th?
2) When you refer to a local academy, are you taking classes, doing tutoring or doing something else entirely?
3) When you took these CATs, did you take the FULL CAT each time (with the Essay and IR sections)?

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

lucien_magnet · Answer

Hi Rich,

First of all, i wanted to let you know that I have recently quit my job in order to accomplish the 650!. So i have enough time to study.

Here my answers:
1) I could change the date, but December is a "short" month because of holidays, and application deadlines in january are on the first days of the month
2) Yes i had classes 4 times a week (2quant,2 verbal) for about 2 months. When i finally finished the theory i reduced my classes from 4 times a week to two times. Since then i have been studying at home, practicing WITH OG VR QR and trying to take 1 CAT per week.
3) Yes, I took the full CAT.

Thanks!!

Best regards!

Lucien

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Lucien,

Even though you'll have more time to study (since you left your job), you will still likely need more than 4 weeks of study time to raise your scores 90+ points. That having been said, you don't have to reschedule your Exam yet - you can wait a few weeks and see how well you've improved. Your practice CAT scores are so similar to one another that you'll likely continue to score at this same level if you keep studying in the same ways as before. As such, you might want to invest in some new practice materials with a focus on learning and practicing new Tactics. With your score goal, you do not have to correctly answer ANY questions that you think are too hard or too weird, but you do need to nail the 'gettable' questions.

Based on everything that you’ve described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in well under 2 months, so you might not be able to complete it all (even with all of this extra study time that you have available) - but you would likely still benefit a great deal from whatever portion of the study plan you can complete. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Struggling to improve my Verbal and Quant Scores! Please help!

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