Study Plan for GMAT

Question

Hi All - Thanks in advance for your help!

I'm planning on applying this cycle. I've been studying the GMAT for the past year on and off and feel defeated. I know there are definite areas I can improve in, but want to get this forum's advice on how best to do so.

I recently took the GMAT and scored a 640, my target score is a 700.

Below is my testing history

Practice Test 1 - Nov 2019: 550 (Q30, V35)

Actual Test 1 - Nov 2020: 590 (Q37, V34)

Practice Test 1 (redo) - Nov 2020: 630 (Q40, V36)

Practice Test 2 - Jan 2021: 670 (Q45, V38)

Practice Test 3 - Feb 2021: 610 (Q40, V34)

Practice Test 4 - April 2021: 680 (Q47, V37)

Actual Test 2 - May 2021: 640 (Q43, V35)

Based on my scoring habits, there are fundamental Verbal topics I need to revisit and need to tighten up my quant consistency. I have three questions:

1. What's the best way to improve verbal. I understand that Manhattan Prep is well regarded. I've gone through the SC and RC portions but haven't done too many questions
2. Is it reasonable to improve verbal to V40-45 in a month? I want to target RD1 submission, but I want to be realistic.
3. Any other advice!

Thanks!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi consultthetape,

Since you are looking to improve your GMAT verbal score, I have the perfect article for you:

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

Feel free to reach out with additional qusetions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi consultthetape,

First off, a 640/Q43 is a solid Score, so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

That having been said, there's no harm in continuing to study - and you have a great opportunity to pick up points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) Over the last 5 months, how many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your 2nd 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.

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

GMATinsight · Answer

consultthetape You quant score is highlu inconsistent which means that you can not be confident of your performance in that section which you need to start working on. With given verbal, if you quant score is stabilized at a level of 48 which you got in one of the practice tests then you will be much closer to the target. This should be the strategy. For the rest certainty, work on verbal too so that you can get it to the tune of 37 You can reach out to us for any professional help at affordable prices Get TOPICWISE: Concept Videos | Practice Qns 100+ | Official Qns 50+ | 100% Video solution CLICK . Two MUST join YouTube channels : GMATinsight (1000+ FREE Videos) and GMATclub

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi consultthetape,

Your Verbal score seems decent but Quant score is bit of a concern. But as you are asking for an advice to improve your Verbal score, let me help you with that.

What all you need to know before you start studying?  
Before you start studying the concepts of any module, it's important to understand what is being tested using the questions of that module. For example, before you learn the concepts of SC module, you need to understand that SC questions on GMAT test your ability to convey the right meaning without any ambiguity. Once you understand this, your focus while learning the concepts will be more around the meaning-based approach rather than on the grammar rules.

How do you go about it? 
Looking at your Verbal score, it seems like you are struggling with two of the three modules (SC, CR and RC).

Identify the modules in which you are struggling 
 Once you identify them, analyze if it's the concepts or the application that you are struggling with. 
 In your case, even though you have a fairly good conceptual knowledge, it's better to revisit the concepts so that you can nullify a few gaps which you have. 
 Once you do that, learn the right approach of solving questions of that module. The best way to do this is to analyze the solutions of the questions in detail, identify the exact step at which you are making the mistake and then nullify those gaps.

Please go through recording below to understand the process in a better way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOFbOXjw2wY

Is practicing questions enough?  
Practicing questions helps but only if you get the right learning from your mistakes. Without knowing the right methodology to solve questions, there's no point practicing questions. As you are struggling with the application of concepts, you need to understand why are you making the mistake in the first place. For example, the process of solving CR questions can include many steps such as:

Reading the argument and identifying the individual elements such as Premise and the Conclusion 
 Reading the question stem and understanding what is being asked exactly 
 Pre-thinking the missing link  
 Eliminating answer choices which are irrelevant, out of scope and distorted.

You could be making mistakes in any of the above steps. So, you need to identify the exact step at which you are making the mistake, introspect what made you choose the incorrect answer choice and then learn the right approach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCrobt7hZl8

You can definitely improve your Verbal score if you focus on the right aspects. I can guide you in a better way if you can provide me a few more details such as:

your current study strategy 
 your weak areas 
 the number of hours you can dedicate for studies

You can write back to me here or a better way is to discuss the same over a call. You can schedule a call with me using the link below.

Click here to schedule a call

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