Conversation for 400-500 Scorers

Question

I've been going through a lot of the posts & I don't see very many people like myself. I'm hoping that there are some people like me that can share advice & stories of success. I took my GMAT on May 1st, scoring a 440.

I was devastated because I had studied for over 100 hours from February through April. Unfortunately, I took a prep course at DePaul University in Chicago. This ended up being a mistake. The course used materials that I don't see anywhere on these GMAT message boards (Cambridge to be exact) & the instructors(they were nice) had never taken the exam. I have never in my life worked so hard at something & been so unsuccessful. For the last month, I've mentally regrouped & I've been working on a new strategy.

To have any chance at realizing my MBA dream, I'll need to score in the 620-650 range. To hear from someone that started in the 4-500 range & reach great heights would be very helpful & inspiring. Everything you see here is about 600 scorers getting to 700. I just want to pick a tool/course that is useful & productive for someone in my position.

Right now, I'm making a final decision between The Economist, Magoosh, ExamPal, & Veritas. Any feedback on those would be great. Or just to talk to people in my score range so that I don't feel like the only person to score this low but kept trying would be nice.

Thanks!

u1983 · Answer

Hello Friend, Your story sounds like mine .

I have send you an PM.Not sure if that will be helpful for you. u1983

Robbiel · Answer

Thanks for commenting!

-Robbie

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi Robbiel, Please do not be disheartened. Even if you are scoring low right now it doesn’t imply that you will not get better. I have met several people who started really low but have nonetheless scored enviable scores and made it to top business schools. It’s a good thing you have taken your GMAT once. You now know your weaknesses and work on them. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for 3 months, you are sure to achieve your goal. I believe you may benefit from taking a GMATPREP course. If you are willing, there are some great GMAT prep companies that can help you with your preparation. In order to make an informed decision I would highly encourage you to go to their websites and try on their free trial and decide for yourself which one do you like better. You can try out free access to EmpowerGMAT, Magoosh and Optimus Prep as they have great reviews on GMATCLUB. Also for verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can easily track your progress in that you can identify your strengths and analyze and improve on your weak areas. You can also try out the MGMAT guides they are phenomenal and cover the entire syllabus really well. MGMAT foundation of GMAT Quant anf foundation of GMAT verbal will particularly help you solidify your base. 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, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have 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. I would also encourage you to purchase the latest version of OG and the verbal review for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu Lastly, you can check out a very interesting article by Mike McGarry from Magoosh detailing a 3 month study plan https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... -students/. You will find it very helpful as it gives out a study plan as per your needs. Hope this helps. All the best.

AkshdeepS · Answer

Hi,

Your story is similar to many of other test takers, so don't get disheartened as GMAT is a long painful journey. If you are not successful that means the way you are preparing is not effective. Number of hours not matter that much till the time you use them efficiently. You must have a plan for every topic and every question. GMAT requires a lot of mental and physical toughness. You need to practice that all to score high. Be a regular member of GMAT club and try to learn from experts and moderators and from anyone you like. This club has immense resources to take you to 700+.

For resources you mentioned, I would suggest in my very personal opinion that you can try Empowergmat or Magoosh. I find these two courses better than many others for both Q and V. Again, this is my personal IMO.

QZ

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Robbiel,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as hoped. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What studying have you done since you took the Official GMAT?
2) What study materials have you used besides the materials from that Course? Have you used the Official Guide at all?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Robbiel · Answer

QZ

Thanks! You really highlight some important aspects of this journey.

Will you talk to me some more about Magoosh, please. How did you use the program to get better & score stronger? Did you watch all of the videos?

I'm realizing that my best course of action is to focus on scoring as high as possible on the Verbal section. It is my natural area of strength. I am creating a strategy that gives me an opportunity to score in the 47-50 range on Verbal. It appears that it will be a real battle to get my Quant into the 30s. But last time I spent nearly 80% of my time on that area to no avail.

What are some strategies for high level Verbal training & skill building.

This question is for QZ as well as any one else that reads this message

Thanks!

Robbiel · Answer

Hi Rich,
1. I have been preparing for the PMP exam since taking the test. I sit for that exam on Saturday & will begin my new GMAT studies on Sunday.
2. I have the GMAT official Guide. I have not used any other materials outside of my original course.
3. GMAC practice scores were Q22/23 & V27/32: Overall was like 450 or 460
4. I will sit for the GMAT again in September
5. I will apply for Business School this Fall at the reopening of the application rounds
6. University of Chicago, Northwestern, UCLA, USC, UC-Berkley

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Robbiel,

Since you're in the midst of finishing up a different Exam, I suggest that you plan to take a few days 'off' after your Saturday Exam - so that you can come back to your GMAT studies after a short break and with a clear head.

You've named some highly-competitive Schools that you plan to apply to. Many Business Schools view an Applicant's Quant Scaled Score as an indicator of how that Applicant might handle the 'academic side' of the Program - and a score in the Q30s won't impress anyone (and it could be seen as a 'red flag' at those Schools). While you can (and should) certainly train to score at a high level in the Verbal section, you can't "avoid" the Quant section in the way that you're implying you might try to. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. By (re)learning the necessary math skills - and focusing on Quant Tactics - you'll be better able to increase your GMAT Score AND how Business School Admissions Officers will view your potential to handle their Programs.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

Robbiel · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC

Yes, you make very good points. A large difference between the two section scores may defeat any benefit in overall score.

I wan to talk about something that your signature highlights. You say "GMAT assassin's aren't born, they're made". I spent 2 months doing what I deemed to be a relearning of the necessary math skills & improved none. My learning/training technique is flawed in some way that I cannot identify at this point. I believe whole-heartedly that I have the aptitude to develop strong Quant skills. But I'm not teaching myself how to learn more proficiently because I don't know where the real disconnect is. Does that make sense in the way I've expressed it here?

I will be studying 10-15 hours each week.

Thanks,
Robbie

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Robbiel,

The GMAT is designed in a way that is likely quite different from most of the Tests that you've taken during your life. For example, when you took a 'math test' in High School or College, you were probably expected to answer each question using one really-specific approach - and you had to 'show your work.' The GMAT has no such requirements though AND most questions can be solved in more than one way. As such, when dealing with any individual question, you have TWO goals:

1) Get the question correct, if possible.
2) Approach the prompt in an efficient fashion, so you don't waste time (since you need to get to all of the questions in each section).

Based on what you describe, you might need to work on a few different areas: your content (knowledge of math, formulas, patterns), your organization and note-taking (properly organized work SAVES time) and your Tactics (strategic approaches that are almost always faster and easier than the 'technical math' that most books teach). Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. If "your way" has not helped you to earn a higher score, then you have to commit to approaching the process in a different way.

When it comes to studying for the GMAT, there are a variety of different options. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). Since you're currently considering a number of different Courses, I suggest that you take advantage of all of those free offerings, then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional questions, then just let me know.

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

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