Suggest me as to how I should prepare for the GMAT.

Question

I attempted the OG Practise test 1 under exam conditions to set a baseline for myself before I start to prep and got a score of 620. I am looking to apply for US deferred MBA programs and ISB YLP(I'll be applying in my sophomore year as well) before I graduate in 2025. I chose the Verbal-Quant-IR attempt pattern, Verbal felt quite a brain draining, and I relied on what options sounded correct and compared options as to what seemed correct.
Quantitative Reasoning felt at home, but DS questions caught me offgaurd(I had watched a youtube video on what is ds and how to approach still, I wasn't able to answer the questions with good accuracy).
Integrated Reasoning was also very weird as to what I was expecting, I expected general graphs and all, but it had some concepts from my Stats101 class and weird graphs for which I didn't even know the name of.
Overall I felt I could have done way way better in the IR and DS section with some practise.
Can you guys advise as to what my preparation path should be, I have around a year to prep, and my target score is 730-770. I can't purchase any course amounting to more than $50 as my parents won't pay for it.

Analysis
 Total Correct Incorrect
 
Verbal Reasoning 36 19 17
 
 SC 13 7 6
 RC 14 7 7
 CR 9 5 4
Scaled Score 27
 
Quantitative 31 18 13
 
 Problems 17 14 3
 DS 14 4 10
Scaled Score 48 
 
Integrated Reasoning 12 4 8
Scaled score 3

Braintree · Answer

You’re at the right place. Your baseline score is pretty decent. But so is your target score - so you’d have to work hard and smart. You can start off by taking a look at the signatures of Gmatninja and Bunuel. Lots of great (and free) advice, content - both written and videos, and strategies. Gmatninja is also laying down a 13 week free awesome study plan, which you can check out.

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi definitelynotAmit,

I have the perfect article for you:

GMAT Study Plan: The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Archit3110 · Answer

well you are graduating in 2025 , but are planning for MBA in advance? any reason why ? don't you want to gain some work experience before enrolling for FT MBA .. please note that most of good B schools in US require at least 2 years work ex and internships are not counted..
I would advise you to focus more on your graduation score and alongside study for gmat if time permits , but do not stress much about it..

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi definitelynotAmit,

Since you have a specific application plan in mind, 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 (and the more time that you have to act on that advice, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

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

A 620 is a strong initial CAT score (the Average Score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years). Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so you won't necessarily need a year to prepare for the Exam, although you will have to learn, practice and master some really specific Quant and Verbal skills before you will be able to consistently score at the 730+ level.

1) Since it sounds as though you will be a full-time student while you are studying for the GMAT, how many hours do you think you can consistently study for the GMAT each week?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

my target score is 730-770

I can't purchase any course amounting to more than $50 as my parents won't pay for it.

Verbal Reasoning 36 19 17

SC 13 7 6
RC 14 7 7
CR 9 5 4
Scaled Score 27

Some tips and free resources  mentioned by a 6-hour student I had who went from a V31 to a V40. Working with a study buddy with strong Verbal skills may also be a good idea. You can teach the person Quant in return for Verbal.

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Suggest me as to how I should prepare for the GMAT.

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