Study Plan for score improvement from 600 to 720+ in 3 months

Question

Can anyone share a proper study plan for working professionals ? I need to score a 720+ and plan to give my GMAT after 3 months. The resources I have are egmat videos, GMAT Club tests, Manhattan mock CATs. A study plan that can work around a hectic work schedule (12hr a day) would be of great help.

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi AnanyaPS, You can refer to the following posts. I am sure you will find them very helpful. https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... beginners/ https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... -students/ https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... h-focused/ https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/3-month-g ... l-focused/ Hope this helps. All the best!

TheGraceful · Answer

What a coincidence, I was doing this for myself today.
However,you look in a lot rush.
With my experience, I would like to tell that someone else's plan will not work for you. Moreover, when you have a demanding job, it becomes more difficult.

I would suggest that you do your own planning by estimating:
List down the things you are going to go through topic and subtopics of theory material/videos)
1. Calculate the time each topic is going to take
2. Decide a count of quant questions (PS & DS) you are going to do for each topic/subtopic
3. Decide the count of verbal questions (all sections and all types) you are going to practice
4. Estimate 2 minutes for each quant question and 1:50 for each verbal question
5. Add review hours/minutes - this should be roughly more than half (or 2/3) of total time you took to solve a question set
6. Add hours for the full practice tests along with over 2/3 time of total test for review

You are close to how much total time it is going to take.

Now, fit this in your schedule with following steps.
7. Your available study hours per day (with your schedule that could be 2-2.5 hours or less per day)
8. Your available study hours (should not be more than 6 even if you are free entire day)
9. Check your calendar for planned events in next 2-3 months (b'days, weddings, anniversaries, festive/religious activities you're going to join) and minus those hours or days from calendar
10. Don't forget to add 2 buffer days for every 3 weeks - to manage any slippage from schedule and to help you keep on track .

And before you do the exercise mentioned above, go through the following links one by one and in a very relaxed manner. It is important before your planning exercise.

https://www.gmathacks.com/study-tips/how ... ively.html
https://blog.targettestprep.com/studyin ... e-working/
https://blog.targettestprep.com/gmat-preparation-time/ <=== this has estimate of total hours as well
https://blog.targettestprep.com/gmat-learning-tips/
https://blog.targettestprep.com/gmat-timing-strategy/

Hope this will help to make a crisp and clear plan. Now just stick to that, no matter whatever tempting (GMAT related) comes across.

PLEASE PRESS KUDOS, if my efforts in making this post are of some help to you.

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

You can have a look at the following as well:- https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-study-p ... ml?fl=menu https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-self-pr ... tml?f=menu

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AnanyaPS,

In the title of your post, you refer to a 600 - is that Score from a practice CAT/mock or from the Official GMAT?

Based on your work schedule, you will likely need a Study Plan that is flexible to your availability. 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) How long have you studied so far?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs/mocks (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

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

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

AnanyaPS · Answer

Hi RichC

Thank you for your reply . I have given the GMAT once and the 600(Q41,V30) is my official GMAT score. Please find below the answers to your questions, I hope my answers can provide some insights to you, which in turn can help me.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied so far?  I had been preparing for roughly 3 months and then I gave the GMAT and landed the disastrous score of 600. Right now, I am planning to start my prep again. 
2) What study materials have you used so far?  I had used the MGMAT books and MGMAT CATs. Now I have the eGMAT video lessons and access to GMAT club tests. 
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs/mocks (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? I wasn't scoring really well, my average score used to hover around 610 -630 .

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?  I plan to apply in Aug , Sept 2019. 
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to? I plan to apply for Indian B-Schools (IIMs, ISB). It is a highly competitive pool, anything less than a 710 won't help me in getting a interview call.

Thank you for all your help.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AnanyaPS,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your CAT score results - along with your Official Score - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 610 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. It's possible that you have developed some 'bad habits' during your prior studies that will take some time to 'fix' (and replace with new 'good habits'). Raising a 600 to the point that you could consistently score 720+ will likely require at least another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

Based on your timeline, you have plenty of time to continue studying and improving - which is good. Given your work schedule though, it might be challenging to commit to a consistent study routine, but you're going to have to find a way to study throughout the week - with a focus on the proper Tactics and patterns of the Exam.

You might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn't provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi AnanyaPS,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. To be honest, it’s quite difficult for anyone to give you an exact study plan, since all students are unique and need different timelines to prepare for the GMAT. That being said, before you get started with your prep, you should  familiarize yourself with the GMAT  and then take an  official GMAT practice exam . Taking that practice exam will give you a better sense of the road ahead.

If after taking your practice exam you’d like further advice regarding your study plan, please report back here, and I can provide some specific advice. You also may find it helpful to read the following articles about  how to study for the GMAT while working in a demanding job  and  how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

Good luck!

MathRevolution · Answer

Hi, AnanyaPS

Firstly, improving your score from 600 to 720 is achievable in 3 months assuming that you spend at least 3 hours a day. However, considering that it is actually difficult for you to be committed to working on GMAT, your own strategy to improve is truly necessary, which is time-efficient and effective. To hit the score over 720, you should work on both Quant and Verbal. It seems that you need to solidify the basic concepts and establish the foundation of both. But, you can also focus on either Quant or Verbal. You should know which section would be easier and less time-consuming to improve.

For example, if you are good at logical thinking, then you’d better focus on getting high quant score. To give some advice about how to improve quant, focus on 5 key topics (Integer, Statistics, Inequality, Probability, and Absolute Value) that account for 80% of the GMAT exam. You don’t have to waste time studying the other topics. Then, focus on DS, since DS can be a quick win. If you master DS, it will be easier and less time consuming to tackle PS problems. There are patterns and logic to GMAT quant problems and you can save a lot of time especially in DS questions. With Math Revolution ’s ’Variable Approach’ for DS questions, you can minimize time spent on each question while improving accuracy (over 80 percent) (solving a question in + having a checking time = 2 minute) On average, our students have about 10 minutes to spare before the exam ends. To briefly explain our ’variable approach’, we apply ’variables–equations matching system’ to the DS questions. For example, you first need to count the number of variables and equations given in the question. By doing so, you can determine which answer choice will most likely be the answer. If there are only two variables in a question, you need at least 2 equations to solve the question. Since two conditions in the question usually give 2 separate equations, it is most likely that C (both conditions together are sufficient) will be the answer.

Then, you can apply our ‘IVY approach’ to PS type questions. Our IVY approach for PS focuses on translation of the question words. All the PS questions can be translated into mathematical formula. By applying ‘IVY axiom’, you can quickly solve the questions and have 10 minutes to spare. (More information about our approach: https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/vs)

Please let us know if you have further questions.
You can reach us at [email protected]

Success is within your reach,

	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

Study Plan for score improvement from 600 to 720+ in 3 months

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