Study resources

Question

Hey everyone!

I have been practicing GMATs for a month now but my scores are very variable and are not consistently getting better. I am a little worried if I am doing something wrong. I have less than a month to prepare left and not sure if there are any resources that would help me boost my score. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

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GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi,

I understand that without having a proper study strategy, acing GMAT can be really challenging. Many students start their preparation without any plan and realize halfway that they need a standard resource and a proper study plan. I see that you are in a similar situation. But it's never too late. Let me help you here.

But before suggesting you the plan, I would like you to understand what is actually tested on GMAT because it will help you focus on the right parameters. Without knowing the destination, there’s no point starting your journey. Understanding what GMAT tests helps you plan your preparation properly.

What GMAT actually tests? 
If you are in a misconception that understanding concepts will help you score well on GMAT, let me tell you the harsh truth. GMAT is a test of application of concepts and it would require a strong conceptual knowledge and the right use of strategies to ace the test. You might not like this, but GMAT doesn’t just give you questions which require you to solve them using a formula. It goes far beyond that. To solve a particular question, it is important to understand what is it that the question is asking, identify the underlying concept and then apply that conceptual knowledge to get the solution. The reason why students take a lot of time to prepare for GMAT is because 
  they do not understand what is it that is actually tested on GMAT 
 so, they start their preparation by practicing questions from OG or a few random materials 
 When they take a mock, they get shattered on seeing the score as months of preparation could only get them the average score a beginner will get. 
 So, they start seeking advises regarding the study strategy and start their preparation from scratch.

As you see, a lot of time, effort and money gets wasted in the process. GMAT is a test which requires a considerable investment of all three parameters. So, it is important to make sure to invest them in the right manner and get the desired result.

What should be the ideal way of preparation? 
As you have already taken the mock, I would recommend you to identify your stronger and weaker areas based on the result. Once you do this, the ideal plan has to be to:
  Learn the concepts – one topic at a time (Start with your stronger area) 
 Learn the right methodologies to solve the questions of that particular topic 
 Start taking sectional quizzes and make sure to solve the questions using the methodology learnt 
 Make sure to move to the next topic, only when you get at least easy-medium questions right. 
 If you have less than 60% accuracy in any topic, identify the reason behind the struggle and work on improving it. 
 Once you move to the next topic, it is important to maintain the momentum that you had in the previous topics. Many students tend to forget the concepts they learnt once they start focusing on new topics. This is the time when OG comes into picture. You can practice a minimum of 5 questions of a particular topic everyday so that you do not lose touch with that topic 
 Once you are done with all the topics, start taking mocks at regular intervals and see the score pattern 
 Once you start getting a consistent score, you are good to book a slot.

Is learning the right methodology really important? 
GMAT questions are very tricky and one would require a strong conceptual knowledge and right strategies to solve them. One has to perform a certain pre-analysis on the question stem to understand what is it that the question actually requires you to do. Only learning the right methodology to solve questions will help you do this process effectively. The same goes with Verbal. Each module on verbal (SC, CR and RC) has to be approached in a certain way.

For example, there is a misconception that SC questions test your knowledge of grammatical rules. But what GMAT actually tests is the ability to convey the right meaning without any ambiguity. So, it is really important to approach them from a meaning stand-point. Grammatical rules are helpful but only to some extent. You can find a few answer choices which are grammatically correct and also convey a logical meaning. But there is only one answer choice, which conveys the intended meaning. So, it is important to understand the meaning the sentence is trying to convey and identify the errors and then eliminate the answer choices which do not convey the intended meaning.

Having said that, how do you go about learning the right methodology? Is there any effective way of doing that? 
Yes! The best way to learn the right methodology is to learn the concepts along with the methodology. And to understand where you are going wrong while solving questions, it is really important to refer to the detailed solutions and compare your approach with the right one. This will help you nullify the gap gradually, making sure that you master the skill of using the right methodology.

The need to use the right resource: 
As you now understood the importance of using the right methodology, it is equally important to use the right resource to learn that. The resource you use has to teach you the concepts methodically and also the right strategies. It should help you solve GMAT like questions and also provide you with detailed solutions. The best way you can learn the right approach is by referring to the solutions and comparing your approach with the right one. It should help you identify your weaker areas and work on them. So, make sure to choose the right resource this time and start studying from it. 
If you are open to suggestions, I would like you to take a check at the course of GMATWhiz. 
  It is one unique course which offers you the best quality content and employs an artificial intelligence driven learning. 
 It offers you a personalized study plan which is integrated with the course. The concept booster and practice quizzes after every concept video help you solve GMAT like questions using the right methodology.  
 It offers you real time improvement modules so that you can work on your weaker areas right away.

Here's the success story of one of our students who improved her score by 130 points in 40 days.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xi18G2H6X0

I would recommend you to check the free trial of GMATWhiz before taking the decision. Hope it helped! If you have any more concerns regarding the GMAT preparation or wish to know more about study strategy, you can always write back or a better way would be to discuss over a call. You can  schedule a free consultation call  using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

monikakumar · Answer

Hi,

I would say you to identify your weak areas and work on it. Practise more questions on your weak areas in both quant and verbal from OG.

Thanks.

nightblade354 · Answer

I highly recommend seeing this for study tips: https://gmatclub.com/forum/need-advice- ... l#p2409231

Also, please understand that you can apply next year and the impact to your life will, most likely, be minimal! Always try to get the best score you can. Don't rush it!

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