Q32V45 Scope for quant improvement in a month?

Question

Hey guys.

Did my first GMAT in March without any study and scored a 590 (Q31V38) 24th percentile and 85th percentile. I was pleasantly surprised by the score and decided that if i actually sat down and studied quant, I'd be able to crack 700.

I spent the last month studying the basics of quant (mainly from MGMAT and princeton review) and although I only managed to cover algebra, some ratio and probability and integers/fractions decimals, I decided to take a MGMAT practice test, confident that I could at least hit a 50 percentile in quant since the numbers didn't seem like random hieroglyphics anymore.

I ended up with a 620 (Q31V45) 24th percentile quant and 99th percentile in verbal

My quant score hadn't changed at all! While I had covered all the basics, and could answer a good portion of the drills in the MGMAT and princeton texts, I couldn't actually work out what the questions were asking during the prep test. It would take me like 2 minutes just to decipher a mid level question and even then i'd have no idea what the hell to do. Add to that the time limit, and I was bombing most of the basic questions as well.

My question is this: to do well in quant, do you just need to have 'it'? And by 'it' i mean a brain that is attuned to the frequency of all things 'mathy?'

I mean, I'm good at english. I write and read for pleasure so over the years I've developed a knack foe english. I managed a V45 without ever going through anything related to GMAT verbal. Do i need to have that same level of experience with math to score well in it? Hell, I don't even want to score that well, all I need (if i can keep my current verbal score) is a 50th percentile in math to get a 700 combined.

I've just signed up with Empowergmat and although Rich's videos are great, and I'm able to follow along and solve the questions that immediately follow his theory videos, I'm literally too afraid to open up the OG and try a random question on my own. Even glancing at a math question has my head swimming. Putting in a time limit is sure to induce a heart attack.

So long story short.

I SUCK at math, even after going through the basics.

Should I go back and go over all the basics again (Mgmat), or should I just keep banging my head against questions until they eventually start to make sense?

Thanks!

pushpitkc · Answer

As far as GMAT Math goes, it is definitely something that can be achieved by guided practice.
It is not something which you have to be at a high level when you begin to score well in.

As for methods to improve Quant score, the method which works for me is to have the concepts crystal clear.
Re-work on the concepts and follow it up with some timed practice(all the questions in the OG from that topic)
In case you are having a problem with any of these questions, 
you can search on the forum and try and understand from the methods posted.
Also, Follow Bunuel and religiously solve every question he puts up on the forum.

Since you have a V45, my best bet would be to try and increase the score to a Q42-45
(which, is definitely achievable with some consistent and guided preparation)
This split will enable you to increase the overall score to 700-730!
Manhattan Quant is definitely on the tougher side when compared to the Math you are going to encounter on the GMAT.
I feel it would be better to take a GMATPrep(which will be a realistic indicator of your performance) and then take it from there.

Hope that helps you in some way.

airo · Answer

There's part of your answer right there. It sounds like you still don't have a great grasp of the basics yet.

I would recommend going through the MGMAT math books to learn the concepts before going through all of the OG math problems (1-2 days per MGMAT book). Yes, go through the problems untimed to overcome anxiety. There are several hundred problems spread across the main OG book plus the supplemental quant book.

The Magoosh quant problems are also fairly good to go through, but I wouldn't spend too much time on them until you've exhausted the OG set of questions -- since you're only looking at a month's worth of time, just stick to the OG problems.

The MGMAT CATs are a waste of time in my opinion as you'll never see those kind of quant questions on a real exam and they're not really aimed at the Q45 level.

rulingbear · Answer

Hi,

I second what pushpitkc said. This is what I recommend, get the GMAT prep practice and CAT questions and focus on them. You can start tepidly using the study feature of the GMAT prep which provides explanations, then graduate to the exam feature and full CATs. You will probably find the PS questions relatively straightforward giving time pressure, however as you begin to practice DS questions, you will realize that your verbal CR skills are transferable. Giving that you are comfortable with verbal this should help. 
I will also advise that you try to get better at verbal as well, for a marginal improvement in verbal would probably push you to 51 which will also help improve your overall score. 
Summarily, focusing on the GMAT prep application, following Bunuel on this forum, and reviewing all doubtful questions should help improve your quant score. 
Additionally, you may want to take advantage of the new option to take the GMAT in a different format and take the QVIRW format, so that you are fresh going into quant. You may want to warm up with a few questions on the day, and in general, review the format advises on this forum.
Finally, getting better in the quant at your level would probably take you a couple of months of regular work, so you had better start now. Remember, practice is the opportunity to deliberately make mistakes. So, better to make mistakes now, rather than during the exam.
Good luck, you are on the right track.

calappa1234 · Answer

Hey everyone, thanks for the replies, much appreciated!

I think you guys are right, im going back to the basics and will spend the next two weeks going through the MGMAT math fundamentals book again working every drill while also concentrating on accuracy.

I did a practice CAT just yesterday and wanted to shoot myself after the results. i actually thought about just giving up on the exam entirely. My quant score put me in the 20th percentile (yes you read that correctly - 20!) i seriously felt retarded. My Verbal suffered too. After scoring 85, 99 and 95 percentiles previously, i fell to 63! (WTF?) I guess I was hella demoralized after the quant section.

But yesterday was yesterday. Going to hunker down and spend 6+ hrs a day ( is this enough?) on math fundamentals for the next 2 weeks. Hope it helps!

Thanks once again for your replies!

Anyhow, quant, as expected saw no improvement and my verbal suffered as well because I was so demoralized.

Posted from my mobile device

mbaaspirant80 · Answer

Hi 
Try with GMAT club maths book. This is very detailed. FIrst read this book in depth and then try with questions.
Day by day you will learn how to apply maths concepts and you will start seeing jump in your quant score.
YOu can try GMAT club quant tests also. These are made for those who want to score q49 and above.

calappa1234 · Answer

I have the GMAT club quant book. To be honest, I went through it and felt a bit intimidated. While it does cover pretty much everything, it doesn't really go into the basics - an area in which I am severely lacking. I definitely do plan on going through it, but only after I hit the MGMAT books (word problems, number properties, fractions/decimals/percents and algebra)

mbaaspirant80 · Answer

Hi Calappa,

Manhattan books are good for basics. Once you complete the MGMAT books then again solve MGMAT advance level questions.

mean while please share which topic is not in depth in GMAT club quant book. I will share different PDF for that topic.

Thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi

Did my first GMAT in March without any study and scored a 590 (Q31V38) 24th percentile and 85th percentile.

You didnt mention your first CAT source, because this is something to be noticed

I ended up with a 620 (Q31V45) 24th percentile quant and 99th percentile in verbal

Manhattan Math CAT is tough than Official Test and verbal is a little bit easy
so dont worry with this result you can improve

I SUCK at math, even after going through the basics.

You should go back to You basics of math best material which i have used also
Manhattan Foundation of GMAT math it is a 500+ pages book and can covered in 15 days
then start with the pure Math you can cover all of the concepts being tested in GMAT

Good Luck

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi calappa1234,

Do not be disheartened. It’s a good thing you have taken your GMAT. You now know your weakness is the Quant section and you can now work to improve your accuracy in Quant. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for two months, you are sure to achieve your goal. I know it may seem frustrating now, but try to have a more positive attitude towards Quant. Quant is one of the easiest sections to improve on the GMAT given consistent practice and a positive outlook.

MGMAT CATS are a lot harder than the real GMAT so do not take those scores too seriously. Finish your EmpowerGMAT course, get your base strong and only then move on to the OG. Do not be afraid of the official Guides and Quant Review as they are the ‘real thing’. You need to solve these questions confidently to get a hang of the real GMAT. 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. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, 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.

Hope this helps. All the best.

Q32V45 Scope for quant improvement in a month?

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