Stuck at 590 after 3 attempt | Target - 740

Question

Hi,

I started preparing for GMAT in August 2019. Since then I have appeared for it thrice.

1st Try in Aug 2019: 530 (Q49 V18)-was not prepared for it
2nd try in dec 2020: 590 (Q42 V30) 
3rd try in feb 2020: 590 (Q45 V27)

At first i used the OG and then i started using Mgmat guide.

I have been scoring at least a 650 in all 6 GMAT mocks and Manhattan practise exams. I have given these mocks so many times that i remember most of the questions by now.
I just don't feel that i will be able to reach my target of 740 within the coming few months.
I have read gmat posts of people who have increased their scores by 150-200 points, but i think that rarely happens.

Can someone honestly tell me if i am doing something wrong or should i just change my career plans and stop thinking about getting into the top B-schools. Like is it even possible to improve by so many marks within 2-3 months?

Thanks in advance.

Posted from my mobile device

globaldesi · Answer

Hi ,
Did you evaluate yourself under time pressure?
Also did you try to maintain alog. My Gmat club log explains em that I am bad at assumptions and RC.
That's where I am trying to improve.
I am stuck at 680-690 but somehow I fell i get nervous under time pressure.

EducationAisle · Answer

Verbal clearly needs a huge boost.  Which  specific section in Verbal, is bothering you the most?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SB0895,

I'm sorry to hear that your recent attempt did not go as well as hoped. Based on what you have described, there are a couple of factors that might be negatively impacting your studies at this point. First, from what you've described, your studies so far have been "book heavy"; unfortunately, many GMATers who study in that way end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. Even the best books are limited in what they can teach you; they also can't force you to approach questions in a certain way and their explanations are often one-sided. Second, retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are).

The 740+ Score is approximately the 97th percentile, so clearly most GMATers won't score that high on the Official Exam. Based on your recent Official Score, you clearly have the opportunity to pick up significant points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. While there's no way to know for sure what YOUR potential best GMAT Score might be, I'm pretty sure that you have not gotten to that level yet.

it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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.

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

freedom128 · Answer

Perhaps this debrief can help you or give you insight https://gmatclub.com/forum/110-point-in ... l#p2464666 Good luck Posted from my mobile device

SB0895 · Answer

Hi  globaldesi ,

I did time myself under pressure but i was not maintaining a error log. I will start that now.

Thanks

SB0895 · Answer

Hi  EducationAisle ,

I am facing some challenges in RC and CR.
I have improved only by 10-12 points till now

CareerGeek · Answer

Hi,

Yes, it’s very difficult to get a 150+ points increase, but then given you have 2-3 months you can definitely give a good try.

Clearly, you have to improve a lot in verbal. If you can afford, I would suggest to go for a one on one tutoring who can understand and tailor the course as per your requirements. There are many experts in this forum or you can try in other tutoring sites too.

If private tutoring is not a option, you have to completely change the approach in the sections that needs improvement, like you cannot expect the score to improve unless the approach itself changes in the first place. Make a good study plan, and definitely do not attempt the GMAT Prep mocks as they will only give you escalated scores now, you can try mgmat mocks.

All the best

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi SB0895,

I'm sorry to hear how things have been going with your GMAT. The short answer is YES, as long as you follow a linear and structured study plan as well as a realistic timeline, then you can improve your GMAT score. I’m happy to provide some more detailed advice but would first like to learn more about your situation with the GMAT. Once you respond to the questions already asked, I can provide some further advice. In the meantime, you may find it helpful to read the following articles:

The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT

Developing the Proper Mindset For GMAT Success

SB0895 · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC ,

Please find my responses below

1) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week? — For almost 6 months, 5 hours per week
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School? — August 2021 intake
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to? — Some top colleges of Singapore, Canada and India

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SB0895,

To start, I'd like to confirm some information that you provided in your prior post. Are you truly studying for just 5 hours per WEEK? If that's the case, then that is not very much studying (and if you're studying just one day a week - for one 5 hour session, then it's unlikely that you would be able to hone the necessary skills needed to score in the 700s). Raising a 590 to the point that you can consistently score 740+ will likely require at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study (re: 15-20 hours a week) - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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

freedom128 · Answer

You can try to ups kill your Quant by subscribing to gmatclub tests. They have quality questions.

About verbal, you can exercise with 700-level questions from this forum. Good luck for your next retake

Posted from my mobile device

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