Unable to improve scores

Question

I have been preparing for GMAT for last 1 month. Well, I'm retaking the exam, although I studied for a month last time when I took the exam. So I am aware of the test format and structure and also brushed up my basics through Manhattan guides. I have been taking a couple of CAT's including kaplan, Manhattan and GMATPrep. In quant I have been scoring anything between 42-45 but still unable to break that and reach a high score. I do analyze my tests and realize I could have done these questions easily. In Verbal, I score between 28-31. Now, the problem is that I am still unable to understand why am I not performing well even after putting so many hours and efforts to my preparation. What is lacking. Is it the basics or the focus. I'm not sure. Also, had I been doing well in few areas then I could have focussed on the weaker ones but I make almost equal errors in all areas so as such I am unable to figure out my strength.

I have my GMAT one month from now, and it is extremely important for me to score atleast 700+ as I need to apply for PhD program in Management. But I am extremely clueless about how to make the best use of this one month and ensure I get the score I want. Today, I am at an average level of 600 and need that 100+ points.
I still do not understand what's wrong with my strategy and approach of studying the GMAT and taking the CAT's.

I have my GMAT one month from now, and it is extremely important for me to score atleast 700+ as I need to apply for PhD program in Management. But I am extremely clueless about how to make the best use of this one month and ensure I get the score I want. Today, I am at an average level of 600 and need that 100+ points. 
I still do not understand what's wrong with my strategy and approach of studying the GMAT and taking the CAT's.

Tofayel · Answer

Practice perfect the man. So you should try more. It would not be difficult.

bb · Answer

What books/materials did you use to study? You did not mention those (kind of a big omission)...

devshree · Answer

I have been referring to OG 12th edition, completed it once and redoing it. Also started using OG- quant review and yet to start with OG-verbal. Apart from that I used the manhattan guides and currently working on the Powerscore CR after realizing that my CR is weak. Did the first 3 quant test from gmatclub test, plan to do atleast half of them as they are very good to practice the hard questions. And got enrolled to the knewton online course a couple of days back.

I realize that I am unable to improve my DS especially when it comes to questions which has all variables, then I get confused whether to use negative number, positive number, zero or fractions. In SC, even after going through the Manhattan guide, I am still unable to spot the modifiers and understand the concept behind them. In CR, I do not know which book to refer to, although I have started studying the Powerscore and also completed one CR session of knewton, I do not see any improvements.

So, as a whole I am not able to improve my scores even after putting a lot of efforts n time.

bb · Answer

have you seen this post? gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html

P.S. OG 12 is not a study book. You need to study theory (math, grammar, logic, etc) and not spend time on myriad of questions.

devshree · Answer

Thanks for the advice and I do agree with you that I need to rework on my basics but I have with me 40 days that I can dedicate 100% to the preparation, so do you think this should be good enough time for me to rework on my basics and see a considerable amount of improvement in my scores.

kohym · Answer

Test date 23 Nov 2011. I am also troubled by the Verbal part. :oops:

Did 2 MGMAT Cat test and 1 GMATprep Cat. Very bad verbal scores compared to Quant: Q44/V23/560 - MGMAT1 Q43/V28/580 - MGMAT2 Q46/V25/580 - GMATprep1 how to improve Verbal score in short time as it is my weakest link? :cry:

I am comfortable with time management but find myself guessing and burning out at the verbal section...

BM · Answer

If you successfully completed the the OG 12, then don't redo it; focus on the OG Verbal and OG Quant instead.

Your math is pretty solid, so you need to just identify some weak spots and work on question practice. Do all of the GMATClub tests, not half of them.

The verbal section is the main challenge here. Re-read the Manhattan SC guide and go through the Powerscore CR Bible. Just keep reading them over and over. The OG Verbal guide is necessary, but the questions are too easy. To compensate for this, look into some LSAT LR and RC questions. For SC practice, try to fully answer every single SC question on the GMATClub verbal forum. And by "fully answer," I mean provide you choice and defend it thoroughly (why, for example, option A is correct and why the others aren't).

You seem to have done a number of CAT's. Test practice is important, but don't sacrifice time better spent on reading guidebooks and question practice.

devshree · Answer

Thank you very much for the reply. It is so true that I must rework on the verbal by doing sc and cr guides. I have also decided not to touch any practice tests atleast for a week, unless I am thorough with all the concepts.

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