Any strategy for improving from 690 to 720?

Question

Guys, I am consistently scoring 680 and 690 in Manhattan gmat Mock tests

2 weeks left to improve.

I improved a lot on my timing strategy, divided the timing. I divided the questions into 5 question milestones and started to check them.

My scores went up from 620 to 690 and then they became consistent.

I completely simulated the test environment writing AWA and IR also.

I do not know whether I should concentrate more on timing strategies of GMAT or to brush up my core skills.

Here are two things which bother me. People are suggesting me to use a personalized timing strategy about which I am at loss of how to prepare a personalized one. I also observed that I go wrong in maximum 700-800 level questions. I am not sure whether I should brush up my Quant and Verbal skills as I feel that I am reaching a saturation level.

Desperately trying to break the 700 barrier.

Please tell me your opinions.
Thanks in advance,
Karthik.M

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Karthik.M,

With 2 weeks to go before your Test Date, you probably can't make any big changes to how you're dealing with the GMAT. The good news is that a 690 is remarkably close to a 720, so we just need to find a few little things to 'fix.'

I'd like to know a bit more about the CATs that you've taken:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on each CAT?
3) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
4) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?

On your last CAT, how many questions did you get wrong because of a silly/little mistake? In the Verbal section, how many questions did you 'narrow down to 2 choices' but still get incorrect?

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

mkarthik1 · Answer

Hi Shasadau, My score on GMATPrep was also 690

Hi Rich,

1. As specified, I took the entire tests along with AWA Essay and IR for both I gave my full time and effort to answer.
2. My scores were as follows: MGMAT3: Q48, V36 (690) GMATPrep2: Q49, V32(680) MGMAT4: Q47, V37(690)
3. I absolutely did not do anything during the CATs. I meticulously took 7 min breaks that too only in the prescribed break times.
4. In order to avoid repetitive questions, I bought MGMAT Mock tests pack of which I wrote 4 CATs, GMATPrep software where I got 2 tests and I did not reset them.

Well, for your last query, I cannot say anything because I did not analyse the test soo thoroughly. I was not aware that the tests must be analysed so deeply. I will go through the tests and update on this thread.

In the meantime, any other tips will be helpful

Thanks,
Karthik.M

Thanks, Karthik.M

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Karthik.M,

At this scoring level, the GMAT becomes really 'sensitive' to little mistakes - if you make too many of them, then a 720+ score will simply become impossible to achieve. As such, the little details matter a great deal. Once you've had a chance to review your last CAT, you should report back with those details (and your deductions).

With the time remaining, you could probably take 2 more CATs, but you shouldn't take any more than that. You'll be better served by continuing on with a normal level of practice, review, etc.

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

mkarthik1 · Answer

Thanks a lot for the guidance rich. Will post the details soon.

mkarthik1 · Answer

Hi All,

Here is the report I am generating after analyzing my most recent Mgmat CAT Quant Section

Quant Section:

Q1: Car Survey : Ratios: Easy: Correct
1min PS 66%

Q2: Mr. T : Inequalities: Hard: Incorrect
If r + s > 2 t, is r > t ? (1) t > s (2) r > s
I went long way comparing all the number types +ve, -ve and zeros, took 3.44 min time, did my best guess and moved on. Solution says just add each statement to the question, we get the answer, the step which I did not know.
3.44min DS 42%

Q3: Sixth Power (2): Quadratic Equations: Medium: Correct
1.15 min PS 60%

Q4: Tricky Divisors : Divisibility & Primes : Hard : Correct: {Sort of guess}
If a and b are positive integers divisible by 6, is 6 the greatest common divisor of a and b? (1) a = 2b + 6 (2) a = 3b
I did some other way but not in the way of OE, used some logic, and some equations. So I say it is a sort of guess as I did not arrive at a concrete answer.
Guess 2.09 min DS 68%

Q5: Median of P and R : Statistics : Hard: felt easy : Wrong
List P contains m numbers; list Q contains n numbers. If the two lists are combined to produce list R, containing m + n numbers, is the median of list R greater than the median of list P ?
(1) The smallest number in list Q is greater than the largest number in list P. (2) m = n
I asked myself, if smallest number in Q is greater than largest number in P, and if we add P and Q and sort the numbers in ascending order, the median is bound to shift. So I selected A but the OA is C. I see that I need to brush up my Statistics basics a lot. I did not see other possibilities.
Silly mistake 1.34 min, DS 64%

Q6: How Many Games? : Extra Problem Types : Hard: felt easy : Wrong
A sports team played 100 games last season. Did this team win at least half of the games it played last season?(1) The team won 60% of its first 65 games last season. (2) The team won 60% of its last 65 games last season.
Used pure logic to do this. Statement 1 Means 39 games were won in first 65 games. Statement 2 Means 39 games were won in the last 65 games. Total games were 100. Taking the worst case scenario where the team won all the games in the overlapping part, there will be 15 (Oh hell! I put this number very stupidly which should be 30) games which would be counted twice. So I did 39+39-15 =63 so greater than half and I thought C would be sufficient.
Silly Mistake 2.13 min, DS 54%

Q7: A Triangle Divided (2) : Triangles & Diagonals : Medium: Correct
In the diagram to the right, triangle PQR has a right angle at Q and line segment QS is perpendicular to PR. If line segment PS has a length of 16 and line segment SR has a length of 9, what is the area of triangle PQR?

72, 96, 108, 150, 200
lots of guesswork here. Could not find QS easily. used 0.5 * 25(base)* something. Answers must be multiples of 25 i.e D and E. from the figure, QS (height) must be greater than 9 and less than 16. So 0.5*25*16 makes 200 and so I kept answer D which was correct.
Intelligent Guess 23.38 min, PS 62%

Q8: Pooling Resources : FDPs : Medium : Correct
Filling of the pool
2.12 Min DS 66%

Q9: Rock Paper Scissors : Probability: Hard : Correct
Rock, Paper, Scissors
I suck at probability but used the basics to get through. At this stage, I cannot concentrate more on Probability. (Any other opinions?)
1.44 min PS 68%

Q10: Negative Power : Odds and Evens: Hard : Correct
If an ≠ 0 and n is a positive integer, is n odd? (1) a^n + a^(n + 1) < 0 (2) a is an integer.
Hard one, I did it but it took quite a bit of time as I had to consider all the types of numbers for a and n
3.20 min DS 74%

Q11: 6 minus 3 : Formulas: Hard: Wrong
In a certain sequence, each term, starting with the 3rd term, is found by multiplying the previous two terms. What is the difference between the 6th and 3rd terms in the sequence?
(1) The 1st term is equal to 8 times the 2nd term. (2) The 4th term is equal to 1.
At first glance, both the statements together must have been sufficient, But if I calculate with just the second statement, B would be correct. I did not think in that direction,
1.41 min DS 68%

Q12: Tiled wall : Fractions, Polygons : Hard : Correct
Fairly easy for me
3 min PS 73%

Q13: Wire lines: Lines and angles: Hard: Correct
Easy for me
1.52 min PS 76%

Q14: Reiko's Trip : Rates and Work: Hard : Wrong
Reiko drove from point A to point B at a constant speed, and then returned to A along the same route at a different constant speed. Did Reiko travel from A to B at a speed greater than 40 miles per hour?
(1) Reiko's average speed for the entire round trip, excluding the time spent at point B, was 80 miles per hour.
(2) It took Reiko 20 more minutes to drive from A to B than to make the return trip.
Took x mph, y mph, d be the distance. By statement 1, got 2xy/(x+y) = 80, two unknowns, one equation, so not sufficient,(solution is too complicated than I thought) and then thought that secon statement would generate a second equation from which the speed could be found out. I was wrong.
2.58min DS 70%

Q15: Double Time (2): Algebraic Translations : Hard: Correct
A scientist is studying bacteria whose cell population doubles....
fairly easy for me
3 min DS 75%

Q16: Rubik's Cube : Polygons: Hard : Correct
The entire exterior of a large wooden cube is painted red, ....
Easy for me
2.45min PS 79%

Now starts my deterioration completely--------

Q17: The Powers That Be : Exponents and roots: Hard: Wrong
If x, y, and z are integers greater than 1, and (3^27)(35^10)(z) = (5^8)(7^10)(9^14)(x^y), then what is the value of x?
(1) z is prime (2) x is prime
My solution was I ultimately got 25z = 3(x^y)
Stmt 1 says z is prime. but it shows otherwise here. so this statement is not sufficient.
Stmnt 2 says x is prime.but it shows otherwise here. so this statement is not sufficient.
What a blunder!
2.32min DS 74%

Q18: Inscribed Twice: Circles and Cylinders: Hard : Wrong
In the figure, ABC is an equilateral triangle, and DAB is a right triangle. What is the area of the circumscribed circle?

(1) DA = 4 (2) Angle ABD = 30 degrees
My solution: used a bit of trigonometry, DA is 4, ABD 30 deg, so found diameter of circle and hence the area
Mgmat explanation says draw a line, arcs spanning! new concepts
2.56min, DS, 68%

Q19: Keats Library : Percents : Hard : Wrong
Keats Library purchases a number of new books, all in the category of biography; the library does not acquire any other books. With the addition of the new biographies, the biography collection of the library amounts to 37.5% of the new total number of books in the library. If prior to the purchase, only 20% of the books in Keats Library were biographies, by what percent has the number of biographies in the library increased?
17.5% 62.5% 87.5% 140% 150%
My timing milestone was running out, did my best guess and moved on! {Mental note - I will not skip on PS questions again}
Also forgot to use smart numbers, Really confused when to use smart numbers.
1.54min PS 66%

Q20: No Numbers N : Positives and negatives : Hard: Wrong
each-of-the-following-equations-has-at-least-one-solution-84655.html
Did some stupid algebra, found out no answer, guessed it and moved on.
3min PS 65%

Q21: Trains Meet (2): Rates and Work: Hard: Wrong
It takes the high-speed train x hours to travel the z miles from Town A to ....
Silliest mistake ever done! I chose x-y instead of y-x but logically high speed train takes less time
2.48min PS 63%

Q22: Spanish Factorials(2) Formulas : Hard : Correct
If ¡n! = (n!) ^2, then ¡17! - ¡16! =
Used a^2 - b^2 formula, got (16!)^2(18*12)
Eliminated the answers and chose the one that fit the number.
2.10min PS 65%

Q23: Office Cake (2) : Extra Problem types: Hard : Wrong
30 people in total attended an office party for a colleague's birthday. The birthday cake was sliced into exactly 32 pieces, all of which were eaten. Did everyone who attended eat at least one slice of cake? (1) One person ate exactly 2 slices of cake. (2) One person ate exactly 3 slices of cake.
Guessed it and moved on! That too a dumbest guess C. I do not know how I even clicked it! no time...
0.32min DS 63%

Q24: Even Multiples of 15 : Consecutive integers: Hard: Wrong
If integer k is equal to the sum of all even multiples of 15 between 295 and 615, what is the greatest prime factor of k?
5 7 11 13 17
my approach: Remembered OG sum, started from 300 inclusive, took commons out and used arithematic progression sum formula,
But somehow got 5 as the highest number!

2.26min PS 61%

Q25: Absolutely Nothing: Medium: Correct
If |x| · y+ 9 > 0, and x and y are integers, is x < 6?
(1) y is negative (2) |y| < 1
Used all the ranges +ves, -ves and zero to find the solution
1.56min DS 63%

Q26: 5% Greater than a : Divisibilities: Hard: Correct
fairly simple sum
1min PS 64%

Q27: X Squared Y Squared : Quadratic Equations: Medium : Wrong
If x and y are positive and (x^2)(y^2) = 18 – 3xy, then x^2 =?
Losing a lot of time.it looked complicated. Skipped it :'(
1.09min PS 63%

Q28: Perimeter of V: Geometry: Hard: Correct
In the figure to the right, circle O has center O, diameter AB and a radius of 5. Line CD is parallel to the diameter. What is the perimeter of the shaded region?

Did it well surprisingly.
2.35min PS 64%

Q29 Too Much Multiplication: Decimals: Easy: Correct
Very simple sum
0.49min PS 65%

Q30 Family Seating: Combinatorics: Hard: Wrong
A family consisting of one mother, one father, two daughters and a son is taking a road trip in a sedan. The sedan has two front seats and three back seats. If one of the parents must drive and the two daughters refuse to sit next to each other, how many possible seating arrangements are there?
I suck at probability, Time was low, so moved on!
1.30min PS 63%

Q31 Club requirements: Overlapping Sets: Medium: Correct
each-of-the-59-members-in-a-high-school-class-is-required-123772.html
Medium level sum
2.12min PS 64%

Q32 Vacation : Statistics: Medium: Correct
last-year-the-five-employees-of-company-x-took-an-average-89546.html
Medium level sum
1.22 min DS 65%

Q33 Extracting X : Exponents: Medium : Correct
Easy problem
0.49min PS 66%

Q34 The average of m : Percents : Medium: Correct
Simple one
2.06min PS 66%

Q35 Absolutely Less Than Zero (2): Linear Equations: Hard: Wrong
Is x > 0? (1) |x + 3| = 4x – 3 (2) |x + 1| = 2x – 1
Guessed it, No time
0.15min DS 66%

Q36 Leila's Hoops : Probability: Hard: Wrong
Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her chance of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws?
My approach: chances of her successes in 4 throws is 1/(5^4) and chances of her successes in 3 throws is 1/(5^3), As it is mentioned as either three or four, adding them got me 6/(5^4), Damn silly mistake

0.55min PS 64%

Q37 Greek Tokens: Ratios: Hard: Correct
Narcisse and Aristide have numbers of arcade tokens in the ratio 7 : 3, respectively. Narcisse gives Aristide some of his tokens, and the new ratio is 6 : 5. What is the least number of tokens that Narcisse could have given to Aristide?
My Approach: 7x and 3x tokens became 6y and 5y tokens, 7x-6y = 5y-3x is the equation I got, Now I forgot how I did it to get the answer :'(
1.28 min PS 66%

Here, I am putting all my Quant analysis, both for myself and for others.

Problem solving Correct: 15 / Incorrect: 7
Data Sufficiency Correct: 6 / Incorrect: 9

I analysed that I need to improve on Data Sufficiency types a lot, avoid silly mistakes, maintain my timing pace.

For everyone who is seeing this post, please please please analyse and tell me whats wrong with me, where to improve?
Is it core skills and basics ?
Is it timing strategy?
Should I solve more more 700-800 type problems?
Any other suggestions will be most helpful.

Thanks a million in advance,
Karthik M
Target: 730

2.26min PS 61% Q25: Absolutely Nothing: Medium: Correct If |x| · y+ 9 > 0, and x and y are integers, is x < 6? (1) y is negative (2) |y| < 1 Used all the ranges +ves, -ves and zero to find the solution 1.56min DS 63% Q26: 5% Greater than a : Divisibilities: Hard: Correct fairly simple sum 1min PS 64% Q27: X Squared Y Squared : Quadratic Equations: Medium : Wrong If x and y are positive and (x^2)(y^2) = 18 – 3xy, then x^2 =? Losing a lot of time.it looked complicated. Skipped it :'( 1.09min PS 63% Q28: Perimeter of V: Geometry: Hard: Correct In the figure to the right, circle O has center O, diameter AB and a radius of 5. Line CD is parallel to the diameter. What is the perimeter of the shaded region? https://cdn2.manhattanprep.com/images/gmat/perimeterofv/perimeter-of-v.jpg Did it well surprisingly. 2.35min PS 64% Q29 Too Much Multiplication: Decimals: Easy: Correct Very simple sum 0.49min PS 65% Q30 Family Seating: Combinatorics: Hard: Wrong A family consisting of one mother, one father, two daughters and a son is taking a road trip in a sedan. The sedan has two front seats and three back seats. If one of the parents must drive and the two daughters refuse to sit next to each other, how many possible seating arrangements are there? I suck at probability, Time was low, so moved on! 1.30min PS 63% Q31 Club requirements: Overlapping Sets: Medium: Correct each-of-the-59-members-in-a-high-school-class-is-required-123772.html Medium level sum 2.12min PS 64% Q32 Vacation : Statistics: Medium: Correct last-year-the-five-employees-of-company-x-took-an-average-89546.html Medium level sum 1.22 min DS 65% Q33 Extracting X : Exponents: Medium : Correct Easy problem 0.49min PS 66% Q34 The average of m : Percents : Medium: Correct Simple one 2.06min PS 66% Q35 Absolutely Less Than Zero (2): Linear Equations: Hard: Wrong Is x > 0? (1) |x + 3| = 4x – 3 (2) |x + 1| = 2x – 1 Guessed it, No time 0.15min DS 66% Q36 Leila's Hoops : Probability: Hard: Wrong Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her chance of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws? My approach: chances of her successes in 4 throws is 1/(5^4) and chances of her successes in 3 throws is 1/(5^3), As it is mentioned as either three or four, adding them got me 6/(5^4), Damn silly mistake

0.55min PS 64% Q37 Greek Tokens: Ratios: Hard: Correct Narcisse and Aristide have numbers of arcade tokens in the ratio 7 : 3, respectively. Narcisse gives Aristide some of his tokens, and the new ratio is 6 : 5. What is the least number of tokens that Narcisse could have given to Aristide? My Approach: 7x and 3x tokens became 6y and 5y tokens, 7x-6y = 5y-3x is the equation I got, Now I forgot how I did it to get the answer :'( 1.28 min PS 66% Here, I am putting all my Quant analysis, both for myself and for others. Problem solving Correct: 15 / Incorrect: 7 Data Sufficiency Correct: 6 / Incorrect: 9 I analysed that I need to improve on Data Sufficiency types a lot, avoid silly mistakes, maintain my timing pace. For everyone who is seeing this post, please please please analyse and tell me whats wrong with me, where to improve? Is it core skills and basics ? Is it timing strategy? Should I solve more more 700-800 type problems? Any other suggestions will be most helpful. Thanks a million in advance, Karthik M Target: 730

Sheeryakh · Answer

mkarthik1 
Hey man, just saw your last post, was wondering how everything went? Can you please update us on your status? Did you break the 700?

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