Study Plan- Need Advise Urgently

Question

Hello GC mambers,

Greetings!

I gave GMAT 15 days back and got a shattering score  470(Q36, v19) . I am targeting to apply in R2 and targetting 700 + score.

I have taken a week off from work to focus on my weak areas . As we know 36 is also not a great score for quant and 19 is not even average score for verbal . I am planning to improve on quant esp Number System and Inequalities and VICs during this period . At the same time I also believe I should be improving Verbal as well starting with SC.

I need your advise to best utilize my time w.r.t percentage of time that should be spend at both the sections and subtopics that should be covered during this time.

Please let me know in case you need more info to help me.

Thanks in advance.

PS

piyatiwari · Answer

Dear PositiveSoul,

Most of the schools' R2 is in Dec-Jan. So u have good 3 months in your hands. I would recommend you to start all over again rather than just targeting on your weak areas. For first 15 days, brush up all ur basics. Then start with GMAT problems.

As ur quants looks comparatively better, start with it. This will help boosting ur confidence. Then once you reach 80-90% accuracy, take SC. SC is almost like math..all you need is strong grammar. Then do quants and RC/CR together. Don't do only RC or only CR for a whole day. Its very exhaustive.

List down the things - except from study part - what went wrong in ur first attempt.
study time, study style, stamina, health problems, mis-planning..

You can find best GMAT study plan at gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html

Good luck!

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks Piya for the advise . By: For first 15 days, brush up all ur basics, do u mean I should be doing all basics or quant basics?

lilli · Answer

I have just begun studying but I definitely recommend doing a foundations book- I know MGMAT has one for math. I am not sure where you can get a verbal one. What materials do you have?

lilli · Answer

Also, when are you planning to take the next GMAT?

whiplash2411 · Answer

Before I give you any suggestions, this is a monster thread that talks about EVERYTHING you'll possible need to know.

36 and 19 are not your average scores and might indicate a fundamental weakness in your preparation and knowledge. But it's not impossible to bring your score up.

1. Get the MGMAT or Veritas Prep Math Fundamentals book. I've heard good things about both the books and I am sure it'll help bring you up-to-date on the basic concepts.
2. Then, if you can, enroll in a Knewton class or buy either the MGMAT Bundle or the Veritas books. These are comprehensive resources that will definitely aid you in your preparation. Choose between them - they're both good.
3. Get the Powerscore CR Bible. Definitely get MGMAT SC.

From here on, devise a strategy that would basically involve a familiarization phase and a practice phase. First gain proper understanding of concepts. Don't do practice questions on a brute-force method during this period. Take notes. Once you're done, start doing questions. Definitely get the OG 12, OG Quant Review and OG Verbal Review if you haven't already. Start working on practice problems and keep an error log. Initially do the problems untimed, but once you're achieving a good hit rate on all question types, switch to timed practice. Use the error log to identify weaknesses in your study.

Then finally take practice exams and see where you stand. If you're consistently scoring >700 in your practice tests (esp. GMAT Prep), then you're in good shape. If not, go back and re-do your problem areas.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

piyatiwari · Answer

I meant that you should spend first 15 days brushing up highschool maths (Number theory, time-distance problems, work problems, simultaneous equations etc.) and basic rules of english grammar (components of sentence, active/passive voices, tenses, idioms etc).

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks lilli for your advise. I am planning to apply in R2 so will be taking test mid of Nov this year.

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks a ton whiplash2411 for your advise.Please find my response/queries inline

whiplash2411 · Answer

The way I structured my study plan is by dividing it into four blocks.
1. Strategy. This involves internalizing the concepts. I've not done this for Quant yet because I have a 49 score on Q from GMAT prep before studying. For verbal I read and listen then take notes by hand. Then I typed the notes without looking at the handwritten ones and cross checked. This way I remember everything.
2. Familiarity. Practice questions from Veritas or MGMAT without timing. Use error logs. This will help track weakness by concepts. Go back and revise those areas. It doesn't matter for Quant if you do all concepts first or not. But for verbal I'd say go question by question.
3. Practice. Use the OG for timed practice after you're sure about bridging weaknesses identified through error logs. Keep track of timing and improve on that
4. Take practice tests and repeat whichever portion is necessary.

This is my study plan but maybe it'll give you an idea. Hope it does! Let me know if you want to know anything else

Posted from my mobile device

whiplash2411 · Answer

No problem. You can check out my GMAT study plan thread if you want more inputs

It's in my signature!

sandeep800 · Answer

Hi Positivesoul,
i will also advice you to read few success stories of people scoring above 700..They have written some nice debriefs and their study plans too like how they prepared for exam and what was their strategy..
thanx

whiplash2411 · Answer

PositiveSoul: You might consider looking into the GMAT Club Grammar e-Book Previews posted online to get on target with the grammar level.

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks Sandeep , Whip , surely I will do that

shaselai · Answer

i would definitely start fresh since your scores seems to be a bit low on both categories. I would go over the mgmat books, doing every practice problem and make sure you tag those that you got wrong for back review.

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks shaselai for your advise.

Now a days I am concentrating on my strategies, considering I will be devoting 11.5 hrs to office(including traveling), do you recommend any specific study plan or study plan

gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html
is ok ?

Thanks in advance.

The reason I am asking this question is , I am planning to apply in R2

@Whip, you have been very helpful so far.

shaselai · Answer

ok. since you need an overhaul and you have taken the gmat already you could skip some formalities on the novice page but I would suggest following it for maximum effect. Also, since you are applying in R2 i guess you have maybe 2+ months squeezing in 3 months max so you could tweak the plan around to fit your needs. good luck!

PositiveSoul · Answer

Thanks shaselai for your assistance.

uhuh12345 · Answer

I would spend some time first working on the basics. Immediately go out and review your grammar basics. Then start practicing SCR then move on to reading. One week may not be enough to get where you need to be.

carolyny476 · Answer

It really useful for me, thanks for the info that you guys have been discussing. :idea:

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