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30 Oct 2019, 05:41
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I'm kind of skeptical to ask for help, but I want to think positive and don’t want to leave any stone unturned. From my past experience of studying for the GMAT for the last 2-3 years is that it's hard to ask help from others since excelling on this exam requires a lot of self-evaluation, which can be hard, and one strategy doesn't fit all.
Anyway, I've attached a PDF that compares the ESR for my last 2 attempts: 690 (Q48, V37) on Mar, 2019 and 690 (Q47, V38) on Oct, 2019, which I both accepted. Not sure ESR helps much since it just very limited data, not reflecting the true abilities of a test taker.
I'm hoping that some experts can guide me on the steps for boosting my score to 730+.
I've done full Manhattan Prep in-person course and e-GMAT Verbal Live. I've also gone through all Manhattan Prep guides including Advanced Quant and GC Math Book several times. I've done all (i.e. hundreds) the Qs from official sources (GMATPrep, Official, Paper Tests) found on GC. Since my second last attempt in Mar, I thoroughly went through several articles written by Karishma, found in the Ultimate GMAT Quantitative Megathread. I've done Manhattan Prep tests and GMATPrep a few times. I tried 4-5 GC Quant tests, but I didn't seem to like them since I felt that they were just too hard compared to the official questions.
Anyway, I'm extremely thankful to bb, VeritasKarishma, experts and others who are helping in growing this community
Verbal: I believe if I can finish the section for Verbal without having to guess 5-6 Qs at the end, which I always have to, I can cross the 90th percentile. I've always struggled with my pacing. I do have my benchmarks set for every 6 Qs in around 11 min but I always do fall behind due to some Qs.
Quant: I haven't been able to score more than Q48 on the real exam. I've scored Q48 once before. I can easily do the medium level questions with high accuracy, but I only have an accuracy of around 50% for hard questions on GC, even lower accuracy for the ones with 95% difficulty since they are fairly unique and hard to find a pattern to do them.
I spent 65% of my time on Quant since my percentile for it is quite low as compared to my Verbal percentile. My goal for Verbal was to at least maintain my score if not improve. Unfortunately, my results didn't change much even though I've worked really hard on it. I can usually study 2-3 hours on week days and 4-7 hours on weekend days.
I would do Quant for 2 days followed by Verbal on the third day and then repeat this cycle. Didn't do any practice tests since my scores are going to be skewed. On Quant days, I would usually do 5 PS and 5 DS Qs one-by-one everyday with a ratio of 1:1 for medium to hard questions. For verbal day, I would do 6 CR and 6 SC Qs one-by-one with a ratio of 1:1:1 for easy:medium:hard questions. I would do reading for 20 min everyday and practice 1 RC every 3 days.
Verbal
• Timing Management for each section isn't helpful since I had to guess last 7 Qs including 1 RC in my last attempt and 4 Qs in the second last attempt so time averages won't be very reflective.
• Took long on SC: 1:51/Q. May need to review material.
Quant
• Areas of improvement:
○ Need to work on PS (49th) since DS was 83rd
○ COUNTING/SETS/SERIES (50%)
○ EQUAL./INEQUAL./ALG. (60%)
Planning to take my next exam in the first week of December before I head out for family vacation for 3 weeks. Don't have any deadlines since I'm not applying this year, but I feel I shouldn't delay it as I could lose my practice and skills during my break.
• I don't think I need to study more material. Just need to do more questions to apply the concepts.
• Alternate Quant and verbal every day
• Weekdays: Do smaller self-made mock tests, using official questions (i.e. Selected 10-20Q under timed conditions). It takes me quite sometime to review so if I do more Qs, then I won't be able to review them on the same and will have to do it next day.
• Weekends: Full mock test using official questions (i.e. For verbal, selected 36 Q in 65 min: 14 RC, 12 SC, 10 CR)
• Review Error Log every once or twice a week
• Do 1-2 practice tests on weekends: Veritas Prep (have never done it) and GMAT Prep (repeat).
Question: How do I balance my time for Quant and Verbal: 1:1? Any suggestions on my plan above?
I would really appreciate your feedback and help.
GMATNinja ScottTargetTestPrep VeritasKarishma EMPOWERgmatRichC bb generis egmat IanStewart mikemcgarry souvik101990 mcelroytutoring
Sorry for the long list of mentions. Don't mean to spam! Just hoping for someone to show me the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks in advance!
Anyway, I've attached a PDF that compares the ESR for my last 2 attempts: 690 (Q48, V37) on Mar, 2019 and 690 (Q47, V38) on Oct, 2019, which I both accepted. Not sure ESR helps much since it just very limited data, not reflecting the true abilities of a test taker.
I'm hoping that some experts can guide me on the steps for boosting my score to 730+.
Background about my prep
I've done full Manhattan Prep in-person course and e-GMAT Verbal Live. I've also gone through all Manhattan Prep guides including Advanced Quant and GC Math Book several times. I've done all (i.e. hundreds) the Qs from official sources (GMATPrep, Official, Paper Tests) found on GC. Since my second last attempt in Mar, I thoroughly went through several articles written by Karishma, found in the Ultimate GMAT Quantitative Megathread. I've done Manhattan Prep tests and GMATPrep a few times. I tried 4-5 GC Quant tests, but I didn't seem to like them since I felt that they were just too hard compared to the official questions.
Anyway, I'm extremely thankful to bb, VeritasKarishma, experts and others who are helping in growing this community
Verbal: I believe if I can finish the section for Verbal without having to guess 5-6 Qs at the end, which I always have to, I can cross the 90th percentile. I've always struggled with my pacing. I do have my benchmarks set for every 6 Qs in around 11 min but I always do fall behind due to some Qs.
Quant: I haven't been able to score more than Q48 on the real exam. I've scored Q48 once before. I can easily do the medium level questions with high accuracy, but I only have an accuracy of around 50% for hard questions on GC, even lower accuracy for the ones with 95% difficulty since they are fairly unique and hard to find a pattern to do them.
Prep between the last 2 attempts of 690
I spent 65% of my time on Quant since my percentile for it is quite low as compared to my Verbal percentile. My goal for Verbal was to at least maintain my score if not improve. Unfortunately, my results didn't change much even though I've worked really hard on it. I can usually study 2-3 hours on week days and 4-7 hours on weekend days.
I would do Quant for 2 days followed by Verbal on the third day and then repeat this cycle. Didn't do any practice tests since my scores are going to be skewed. On Quant days, I would usually do 5 PS and 5 DS Qs one-by-one everyday with a ratio of 1:1 for medium to hard questions. For verbal day, I would do 6 CR and 6 SC Qs one-by-one with a ratio of 1:1:1 for easy:medium:hard questions. I would do reading for 20 min everyday and practice 1 RC every 3 days.
My Own Analysis of my ESR
Verbal
• Timing Management for each section isn't helpful since I had to guess last 7 Qs including 1 RC in my last attempt and 4 Qs in the second last attempt so time averages won't be very reflective.
• Took long on SC: 1:51/Q. May need to review material.
Quant
• Areas of improvement:
○ Need to work on PS (49th) since DS was 83rd
○ COUNTING/SETS/SERIES (50%)
○ EQUAL./INEQUAL./ALG. (60%)
Plan for next 1 month
Planning to take my next exam in the first week of December before I head out for family vacation for 3 weeks. Don't have any deadlines since I'm not applying this year, but I feel I shouldn't delay it as I could lose my practice and skills during my break.
• I don't think I need to study more material. Just need to do more questions to apply the concepts.
• Alternate Quant and verbal every day
• Weekdays: Do smaller self-made mock tests, using official questions (i.e. Selected 10-20Q under timed conditions). It takes me quite sometime to review so if I do more Qs, then I won't be able to review them on the same and will have to do it next day.
• Weekends: Full mock test using official questions (i.e. For verbal, selected 36 Q in 65 min: 14 RC, 12 SC, 10 CR)
• Review Error Log every once or twice a week
• Do 1-2 practice tests on weekends: Veritas Prep (have never done it) and GMAT Prep (repeat).
Question: How do I balance my time for Quant and Verbal: 1:1? Any suggestions on my plan above?
I would really appreciate your feedback and help.
GMATNinja ScottTargetTestPrep VeritasKarishma EMPOWERgmatRichC bb generis egmat IanStewart mikemcgarry souvik101990 mcelroytutoring
Sorry for the long list of mentions. Don't mean to spam! Just hoping for someone to show me the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks in advance!
Attachments
ESR 690 Comparison (2019-03 vs 2019-10).pdf [6.47 MiB]
Downloaded 68 times
30 Oct 2019, 06:50
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Bookmarks
Hey dabaobao ,
I am happy to help. Feels good to make a post after so long.
So, here is my take on this - you seemed to have improved alot but at the same time I believe you are very near to that final touch and struggling to be there.
Looking at your scores, I would highly recommend focussing alot on Hard Level Quant questions while making a constant touch on medium to easy level questions too. Meaning - I would do 20 Hard Quant questions daily along with 5-8 medium/easy level questions. I think all you need is that extra push to touch 49+ score in quant.
Regarding verbal: Wow, huge improvement again. All you need is to push yourself a bit more on SC and Construction/plan related CR questions. I think all you need to focus on right now should be pushing yourself enough on the hard questions.
Yes, you should spend 1:1 time on each as both require similar amount of attention here.
You are almost there my friend, keep working hard. Good luck
I am happy to help. Feels good to make a post after so long.
So, here is my take on this - you seemed to have improved alot but at the same time I believe you are very near to that final touch and struggling to be there.
Looking at your scores, I would highly recommend focussing alot on Hard Level Quant questions while making a constant touch on medium to easy level questions too. Meaning - I would do 20 Hard Quant questions daily along with 5-8 medium/easy level questions. I think all you need is that extra push to touch 49+ score in quant.
Regarding verbal: Wow, huge improvement again. All you need is to push yourself a bit more on SC and Construction/plan related CR questions. I think all you need to focus on right now should be pushing yourself enough on the hard questions.
Yes, you should spend 1:1 time on each as both require similar amount of attention here.
You are almost there my friend, keep working hard. Good luck
30 Oct 2019, 17:24
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Bookmarks
Hi dabaobao,
I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. The good news is that 690 and 670 are two very solid GMAT scores. With a slight bump in both quant and verbal, you certainly can break the 700 barrier. That said, I that think your time would be best spent studying both sections in about a 1:1 ratio.
Regarding how to move forward with your prep, rather than getting bogged down in the micro-details of your ESR, you should follow a plan that allows you to find and fix your weak areas across all of GMAT quant and verbal. The reality is that you likely have specific weak areas that are not displayed on your ESR, so by casting a wide net and following a plan that allows you to find knowledge gaps and methodically improve your skills, you should be able to improve your GMAT score.
Certainly, if you’d like more detailed advice on how to improve your GMAT quant and verbal skills, feel free to reach out. You also may find it helpful to read the following articles:
The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT
How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success
I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. The good news is that 690 and 670 are two very solid GMAT scores. With a slight bump in both quant and verbal, you certainly can break the 700 barrier. That said, I that think your time would be best spent studying both sections in about a 1:1 ratio.
Regarding how to move forward with your prep, rather than getting bogged down in the micro-details of your ESR, you should follow a plan that allows you to find and fix your weak areas across all of GMAT quant and verbal. The reality is that you likely have specific weak areas that are not displayed on your ESR, so by casting a wide net and following a plan that allows you to find knowledge gaps and methodically improve your skills, you should be able to improve your GMAT score.
Certainly, if you’d like more detailed advice on how to improve your GMAT quant and verbal skills, feel free to reach out. You also may find it helpful to read the following articles:
The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT
How to Score a 700+ on the GMAT — A Mini Guide for Success
