Suggestions Needed

Question

Hello Everyone,

I have been studying for GMAT for around 2.5 months now using the Manhattan guides. I have attempted the practice test and got a low score of 550 on veritas and 570 on Gmatprep exam. I need an improvement of atleast 100 points. How can i improve my score? Any suggestions?

Regards, 
HK

AkshdeepS · Answer

Hi, Your score is quite good so ahead for improvement. GMAT preparation is a long journey and needs some important changes while preparing. As you have used MGMAT guides, your first step is done. Use GMAT club forums to your advantage from here: Quant: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-math-qu ... 7/?fl=menu Verbal: https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-gmat- ... 1/?fl=menu GMAT is all about developing good habits. You should also mention the splits of Q and V for both of your exam. Work on your timings as you know higher level questions need higher skills. Follow Bunuel, VeritasPrepKarishma, GMATNinja. Learn from every question and create an error log. QZ

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi HumzaKhan1,

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:

Studies:
1) What study routine have you followed for the last 2.5 months? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used besides the books that you listed?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals:
4) What is your exact goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

HumzaKhan1 · Answer

Hi,

Please find the answers below in Red below:

Studies:
1) What study routine have you followed for the last 2.5 months? How many hours do you typically study each week?

I have studied 2 hours per day on average since i am working as well. So around 16-18 per week.

2) What study materials have you used besides the books that you listed?

I have used questions from Gmat Official Guide and Gmat Club.

3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Official Gmat Score - Q43, V26 - Total 570 (53rd Percentile)

Veritas Score - Q36, V30 - Total 550 (43rd percentile)

I gave the GmatPrep CAT first, reviewed the results and tried to work on weak areas like number properties, reading comprehension and sentence correction.

Goals:
4) What is your exact goal score?

My goal is to score more than 700 and i will keep on working towards my goal until i achieve it. Even if it takes me an year to get it.

5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

Initially i was planning to take the GMAT on May 15 but based on my score i dont think that there is any point in giving it right now. If i cant get 600 right now on the practice tests then i wont be able to get a good score on the test.

6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

Initially i was planning to apply for INSEAD in Round 3 (Deadline June 20) but based on my scores i am unsure what to do.

7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

INSEAD - First Priority
Duke Fuqua
Berkeley Haas
Chicage Booth
Ross Michigan

Thank you for the help [b]QZ @empowergmat[/b]

Thank you for the help QZ @empowergmat

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi HumzaKhan1,

The inconsistencies in the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores of these 2 CATs means that you might be prone to making little mistakes. Assuming that your current 'ability level' is probably in the mid-500s to high-500s, you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections to score 700+. That training will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study. As such, you likely need to consider pushing back your planned Test Date.

Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. GMAC is supposedly going to be releasing some new practice CATs (in the new, shorter format) later this week. I recommend that you take one of those CATs and take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi

Best Books

For Concept Learning

Manhattan Quant Guides
Manhattan Verbal Guides
For CR: The Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
For RC: Aristotle RC Grail

For Practice

The Official Guide for GMAT 2015-18
The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review 2015-18
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2015-18

You can start with Quant or Verbal which suits you. If you have started with Quant then Start with the Arithmetic but if started with verbal then start first with Sentence correction. One month for learning Quant concepts and one month for practicing question and same practice for Verbal. During you Practicing question don't forget to make an error log to track your weak areas after practice. Once you know your weak areas revise your Concepts related to those areas and do some more Practice. 6-8 CATs are enough for practice the real tests. Make your Stamina for sitting 3 hours in the test and don't study more than 2 hours in one sit and 4 hours per day

Top CATs for Practice

1. Official GMAC CATs
2. Manhattan CATs
3. Kaplan CATs
4. GMAT Club Quant CATs

Good Luck

HumzaKhan1 · Answer

Really appreciate the help. Will get back after taking the new gmat prep test.

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi HumzaKhan1, You should study for around 2 more months to achieve a good score. It’s a good thing you have taken a GMAT Mock once. You now know your weaknesses and work on them. You can know your weaknesses and work on them. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for that period, you are sure to achieve your goal. I believe you may benefit from taking a GMATPREP course. Your choice of using MGMAT guides for your preparation is great. MGMAT guides are phenomenal and cover the entire syllabus really well. I must add that if you are particularly looking to discover and improve on your weak areas in Quant; a subscription to GMATCLUB tests is the best way to do that. They are indeed phenomenal and will not only pinpoint your weak areas but also help you improve on them. Also for verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have a good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase the latest version of OG and the verbal review for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... 68383.html Lastly, you can check out a very interesting article by Mike McGarry from Magoosh detailing a 3 month study plan https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... -students/. You will find it very helpful as it gives out a study plan as per your needs. Hope this helps. All the best.

HumzaKhan1 · Answer

Thank you Rohan. I will definitely check out the material that you have suggested.

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