Suggestions needed in preparation plan

Question

Hi All

I am planning to give GMAT in 2 months. My ongoing preparation plan consists of the below material:

OG 2015
OG Quant and OG Verbal
Kaplan Premier
Kaplan GMAT 800
MGMAT Guides 1-8

Mocks:
GMAT Prep -2
Manhattan - 6 Tests

I am aiming for a 700+ score. I am currently working only on the books mentioned above.

Am I missing something important. Please suggest modifications in my plan if needed.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shravanthim,

You mentioned your "ongoing" studies, so I'm curious about a few details:

1) How long have you been studying?
2) Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet? If so, then what were your scores (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

3) Do you have an Official Test Date yet?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

Wonder1 · Answer

Hi Rich

Thank for the reply. My answers below:

1) I have been studying(seriously) for 1 and a half month now.
2) Have not taken the mock CAT yet. Will take my first one this week.
3) I am planning to take my GMAT on 23 July '15
4) My target B-schools' application submission end dates start from mid August.

Some more info:

PS and DS are going good.
CR is fair enough so far.

For RC, presently going through the MGMAT guide.
The problem area currently is SC. My accuracy is only 65%(after studying 1-8 chapters of Manhattan SC guide). This is from the OG'15 questions.

Shravanthi

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shravanthim,

That first CAT score will provide some rather valuable information about your progress and what you still need to work on. To make that experience as realistic as possible, you should plan to take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections.

You'll probably run into a few 'challenges' while taking this CAT, including pacing and endurance issues, but you'll work on those in the coming weeks and months leading up to your Test Date. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can talk through how best to proceed.

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

Wonder1 · Answer

Hi Rich,

I gave my first mock last Thursday and the score details are below:

MGMAT test
Score: 590 (Q45 V27)

I have taken another test today(details below)

GMAT Prep
Score: 710 (Q49 V37)

However i was not able to take the AWA and IR sections this time.

Also, I am very surprised by the difference in the scores of the two mocks. I don't understand what to make out of them.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shravanthim,

A 120 point improvement in one week is NOT common, so we should 'nitpick' this situation a bit.

First, skipping the Essay and IR sections almost always leads to an 'inflated' score (since you're not as fatigued as you would be by taking the FULL CAT, you are more alert when you hit the Quant and Verbal sections). If you have previously seen any of the questions, then that would also lead to an inflated result.

Second, the 'biases' that occur in all GMAT company CATs may have ended up scoring you lower than your actual ability (meaning that your 590 was too low relative to your actual skills).

Third, there are a variety of details that impact a CAT performance (and how realistic the result is) that you have not described: time of Test, if you took it at home, if you did anything unrealistic while taking it (pausing the Test, listening to music, etc.), etc.

From here on out, you really should focus on making each CAT "event" match up with Test Day in as many ways as you can reasonably control. If your practice CAT scores are not accurate, then you won't have a clear understanding of what you'll need to focus on as you continue to study.

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

A few weeks have passed since your post, so the test should be approaching in a month and a half. Here is a customized one month study plan that can help boost your score: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... study-plan Use this as a guideline. You don’t have to follow it exactly but the structure of the study plan should be the same structure that you take in your approach. In addition to the books, the study plan recommends the GMAT prep software and GMAT Pill's video course. This helps to optimize your retention and learning. Here is a sample SC video to help you along your journey: https://www.gmatpill.com/sentencecorrect ... ythons.mp4

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hello shravanthim,

Two months is enough time if you make the most of this time you've allotted. That means studying every day, building on strengths, and working on weaknesses. Your study resources are good. Make a disciplined plan that includes regularly scheduled practice tests (under real conditions) and time to review the results + answers of those practice tests. When you are reviewing the results, keep record of the subject areas and question types that you miss. This way you can identify the areas you need to practice more or review. Those practice tests are the only way to track your progress and get you ready for the real thing.

Best of luck with your preparation!

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