Quant strategy - 30 days

Question

Hi all

I've taken the GMAT once (in January), scoring 690 (99% verbal, 47% quant).

I'm looking to take it again in the next month and would appreciate any advice on the best way to approach studying so as to improve the quant to 70-75%.

I've used the Manhatten books/tests so far.

Thanks!

AmrithS · Answer

Hi: Wow! You have a killer verbal score and all you need to do is maintain your form. Now let's talk about how we can improve the quant score. I present to you "The Topic from Hell" :devil

approach. Here's the plan. 1. Review the Manhattan prep tests you wrote. 2. Identify one topic that has consistently brought your performance down. This topic is your "Topic from Hell" 3. Work on ONLY that topic for a couple of days 4. Re-take one of the Manhattan tests (forget about the familiarity bias. This is just practice) 5. Check if you made any improvement in the "Topic from Hell" 6. If not, then study the topic for a couple of days and take another test If yes, pick another topic - your new "Topic from Hell" - and study it for a couple of days. Then write a practice test to check improvement 7. Do this for the whole of next month and I am sure you will make a huge leap The principle at play: Given a fixed period of time, you are likely to make significant improvements studying your weakest area. All the best :thumbup:

Regards, Entwistle

Phocion88 · Answer

Thanks! I'm a lawyer, so would be slightly worried if my verbal was too far off.

I think my problem has been trawling through practice questions/tests without analysing the results in enough detail.

Geometry and number properties are the real killers, I suspect.

AmrithS · Answer

Yeah... I get what your saying... trawling got me a 650 and analysis got me a 710... Then passion (some say I went bonkers) got me a 750 :D
Now you know the devils. I suggest starting with Number Properties because it will help you with a lot of other topics. 
Geometry is also a good place to start since there's no pre-requisite knowledge required.

mvictor · Answer

wow! what an incredible verbal score!
As mentioned above, work on your weaknesses. In addition, I would suggest solving problems posted in Quant section on gmatclub! Bunuel's answers are amazing! You can learn a lot from his posts.

GMATPill · Answer

Focus on variations of the same question -- it helps to look at a typical sum of sequences question from various angles. What you see on the exam will likely be similar to what you've seen in practice -- with slight differences. Be prepared for those slight differences.

We recommend focusing on topics of Algebra, Geometry, Number Properties, and Sequences here: www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-test/gma ... questions/

This is where the 500 and 600 level questions tend to be.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Phocion88,

I'd like to know a bit more about this Official Score and your practice so far:

1) What were your Scaled Scores on your Official GMAT (the 'other' numbers, not the percentiles)?
2) Do you have a pacing problem in the Quant section? Do you ever finish early? Do you have to rush (and guess on a bunch of questions just to finish)?

3) How long did you study before taking the GMAT?
4) Were you studying primarily with books?

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

Phocion88 · Answer

Hi Rich

1. I scored 49 verbal and 36 on quant.

2. My pacing problem was that I lost a fair bit of time at around questions 13-16 so had to make up some time but nothing major. Finished with a minute or so to go.

3. I studied for about two months but only the last week was what you might term "intensive" study.

4. I read the quant books through and then attacked the questions in the official review, intersperse with practice tests, all of which showed I was on course for the score I eventually achieved. I largely ignored the verbal/essay portions while studying.

Any advice gratefully received! Thanks.

Phocion88 · Answer

All

Thanks for your advice (in particular to those of you who post questions in the quant section).

I retook the GMAT today and somehow scored at 760 (49 quant, 45 verbal).

Onwards!

Posted from my mobile device

bellabear · Answer

Hey Phocion88 ! I saw your verbal is super high! OMG! I am taking GMAT in 3 weeks and my verbal is horrible on the GMAT MOCK got only 16 with 11% percentile. Could you please advice me on the verbal? as of now I am studying all verbal from powerscore and been looking at EMPOWER verbal course lately Thank you!!

Dreya · Answer

How thoroughly did you study the MGMAT books? I'm going through them right now, with only one week left until my exam, and I kinda regret not starting with them in the first place... They have everything, and more! After that, just practice a lot, and review your tests very carefully. Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gracecud46

The other posts in this thread are all over 2 years old, so it's unlikely that you'll receive any response from those posters. However, there are plenty of people here (myself included) who can answer any questions you have and offer you the advice that you're looking for. I suggest that you start your own post-thread and provide a bit more information about how you've been studying, your practice scores and your goals and we can go from there.

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

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Quant strategy - 30 days

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards