Intimidated! Help Appreciated.

Question

Good morning!

I have been studying for a week and I feel so lost. I have not taken any practice tests yet so I do not know my starting score. I can say that I am not very solid in math at this point so I have been choosing to start with studying that part.

Here are the resources that I currently have:
Magoosh Premium Subscription
Used Manhattan 4th edition GMAT Prep Books (1-9)
Manhattan Foundations of GMAT Math 
Manhattan OG Companion 12th Ed. Quant
OG 12th edition and 2017 Ed.
OG Verbal Review 2nd Ed. and OG Quant Review 2nd Ed.
McGrawHill Conquering GMAT Math and IR 2nd Ed.
CliffsNotes GMAT with CD-ROM

I have set my test date for September 15th at 11am.
My goal score is in the 550 to 600 range.
I'm looking to start business school in Fall 2019. 
I figure I have two attempts to take this test before January 2019.

I am planning to attend U of SD, for the MSRE program, which requires a minimum 550 score.
I currently have a 3.36 GPA undergrad with over 180 credits taken.

I am a great test taker and historically I am really solid on reading comprehension.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

Noopur02 · Answer

A word of advice from anybody here ? In similar kind of dilemma!

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

Ok I will take a gmat test and see where my starting point is.. I think that is why I have no responses.

haobv · Answer

Try to take a mock test. if your score is about 450. I think it's achievable for 550-600 after 2 months. Furthermore, the reading of Gmat is not only comprehension, it is more into logical thinking. And goodluck.

haovb · Answer

Spent constantly about 2 hours at least each day for studying GMAT. Do you want to earn a scholarship?

EgmatQuantExpert · Answer

Hey  RealEstateGMAT ,

Before you delve into serious preparation, you need to create a proper structure of it. In order to frame a specific plan, you need to possess some idea about the following parameters:

• Your desired GMAT Target Score, which you have already mentioned as 550 to 600 
Put your target GMAT score in the  GMAT Planner Tool  to have an idea about what you need to score in the GMAT examination. Get the section-wise requirement break-up to achieve your target score.

• Your present level of proficiency in both quant and verbal (section wise) 
As you need to map your present level of proficiency with your target score, try the Diagnostic Test to get a fair amount of idea of your present proficiency level.

• How many hours per day you can put for your preparation for the next 3 months. 
Depending on the amount of time you can put daily, you need to plan the preparation of the modules. Ideally, as a thumb rule, an increase of 10-point score requires 10 hours of preparation.

For the maximum effective of the course learning, try a Learn-Refine-Apply approach. In short, the approach is:
 • Take one specific module at a time. Learn the concepts of that topic in details.
• Now, refine your knowledge or learning from the concepts by solving practice quizzes and sectional tests.
• Finally, if you have successfully completed the practice resources, try your understanding in the full-length mocks.

Try e-GMAT’s Free Trial for  Online Self-Paced Courses  to have an idea about how things can be implemented. Also join the  Free Strategy Webinar  to take a leap ahead in your preparation.

As I said earlier, there are many other students who successfully achieved their target score and surpassed that. Read some of those stories:
 •  Rhea - journey from 620 (Q45, V31) to 760 (Q50, V41)

•  Ishan scored a Q50. Learn how he leveraged the step by step approach taught in the Quant live sessions to achieve this

•  Abhijeet scored a 740 in his first attempt and secured an admit in MIT Sloan. Focus and consistent study are key to his success.

For any query related to the preparation, feel free to write us back – we will be happy to help.

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

Thank you for the advice. How would I go about earning a scholarship?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can take 2 for free at www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

1) What is the Round 1 application deadline for the Program that you're interested in?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

I took the Full Length CAT tonight and here are my results: 
Q=25/14% 
V=31/59%
IR=5/52%
Total = 470

As a side note, I was unable to finish the IR in the allotted time, I very much rushed it. The other two parts I had about 10 minutes left in each. Also, I took the test in Q,V,IR order, opting to take the harder subject first.

I aim to devote 3 hours a day to studying.

In response about the deadlines, September 1st is the first day applications are accepted and May 1st is the final deadline.

Thank you for your help!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

A 470 is fine for an initial CAT Score. If you did actually finish each of the Quant and Verbal sections 10 minutes EARLY, then you could potentially have slowed down, taken more notes, double-checked your work, etc. and scored higher. Given your timeframe, your Goal Score is absolutely achievable - it's now just a matter of studying in a consistent, organized fashion. Since you have a number of different study materials already, I suggest that you study as you see fit for the next 2 weeks then take a NEW, FULL-LENGTH CAT. That score result will give us a sense of how effectively your studies are leading to improvement (in the areas that you are working on) and we can discuss any adjustments that you might need.

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

ccooley · Answer

Hey! Start here: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... ks-part-1/ That article will walk you through the very beginning of your GMAT studies in an organized way and get you started off right.

ShabariSS · Answer

Hi,

I am in the same boat as RealEstateGMAT.
I took the mock cold and got a 470 score:
4 IR
29 verbal
24 Quant

I have the OG, magoosh, manhatten prep books, power score sc bible and aim to get a 700+ score.
I have 4 months out of which 3 months i am dedicating my whole day to gmat prep.
I am targeting b schools in india like ISB and SP jain.
Kindly advice

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ShabariSS,

You should start your own post thread, so the discussion - and advice - can stay focused on your situation (as opposed to piggy-backing on this thread, where the given advice might not actually apply to you). The more information that you can provide about your timeline and goals, the better.

Since you've already acquired some practice materials, you can get started with those. The OG books are great sources for practice questions, but they're not designed to teach you Tactics, patterns or the little 'secrets' behind the GMAT - for those, you'll need Course-oriented materials. To that end, you should work on the OG a little later on in your studies. I suggest that you study as you see fit for the next 2-3 weeks, then take a new FULL LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections). That score result will give us a better idea of how well you're improving and what changes might be necessary.

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

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

I took my GMAT today, the results were similar to the practice test, however I was not as focused as I should have been on the studying.

From the looks of it I really need to focus on the Quantitative section of the test.

Q=22/7% 
V=33/68%
IR=5/54%
Total = 470

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not go as well as hoped. Since this Official Score is so similar to your initial CAT Score, you clearly continue to 'see' (and respond to) the Exam in the same ways that you were doing so approximately 3 months ago. Before we can discuss how best to proceed with this next phase of your studies, I'd like to know a bit more about how you've spent the last few months studying:

1) Did you follow a set study routine or did you have to take 'time off' from your studies? How many hours were you studying each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

You still have plenty of time to continue studying and retest before January, but this result shows that you clearly CANNOT afford to be studying in the same ways as before. A change in your routine - and a focus on the proper Quant and Verbal Tactics - will be necessary for you to hit your Score Goal. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

I’m sorry to hear about your GMAT. Are you planning on retaking the exam? If so, are you looking for some advice on how to prep going forward? If so, please reach back out, and I’d be happy to help.

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

Hey all,

I finished the Manhattan Foundations Book and that really helped me with getting the basic math skills. I purchased the gmatclub tests but when I select quant quizzes, I cant answer any of the questions.. like they are all too hard for me. Test day is April 27th, I need a 550.. i've been taking quant practice tests and my score is actually going down... even though I feel 10 times smarter on the math.. If I can get to 500.. i'd be happy. All advice is welcome... I couldnt understand how to use MathRevolution.. it doesnt make sense to me..

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

Since it's been about 7 months since your prior posts in this thread, it would help to know a bit more about how you've been studying during that time.

1) Have you been studying consistently or did you take any 'time off' from your studies?
2) What study materials have you used over the last 7 months?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs/mocks during that time (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

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

RealEstateGMAT · Answer

Hi Rich, Thank you for your time again.

1) I've definitely taken time off and not been consistent. I take full responsibility for my short comings. 
2) I really needed to focus on the ground level math and the Manhattan Book really helped me with that. I feel like I needed to build up that base before I even attempted to do the problems in the books. I was correct in that assessment and now I'm hitting the ground running. However, its too little too late I feel at this point. 
3) My scores are still around a 470.

What I am going to do for the next 11 days is work on the MathRevolution tactics for DS and cross my fingers. I've been studying for 6 hours a day for the past 30 days, but that was just to catch me up to the minimum level of math needed to attempt to solve the problems. Any assistance or suggestions I am certainly willing to entertain.. If I have to retake the test in June I am prepared to do that as well... Thank you again.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RealEstateGMAT,

"Review" is an exceptionally important part of the GMAT training process; your ability to define WHY you're getting questions wrong is essential to defining the areas that you need to work on (and the specific things that you need to 'fix'). As such, I'd like to know a bit more about your last CAT. While a full Mistake Tracker would provide a lot more information, there are some basic questions that you should be able to answer (and the more EXACT you can be with your answers, the better):

After reviewing each section of this recent CAT, how many questions did you get wrong....
1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal that you just could not remember how to do?
3) Because the question was too hard?
4) Because you were low on time and had to guess?
5) How many Verbal questions did you 'narrow down to 2 choices' but still get wrong?

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

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Intimidated! Help Appreciated.

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