Stuck at a 600 plateau and need expert advice!

Question

I'm stuck at a 600 plateau rn and I have my  exam exactly after 2 weeks  from now. So, I need some serious help!

Here's my timeline:

-Started preparing around 1st week of August. Took the 1st official mock and got 410.
- Did most of MGMAT and OG questions along with some OG Review.
- 2nd Sep: Got 570 on the 2nd official mock. (Q42, V27).
- Watched the whole SC series of GMATNinja and it helped a ton. Started solving topic specific questions of 600-700 level from GMATclub's question bank (only OG and gmat prep tags selected). Started doing atleast 3 RCs, 6 CRs and 8 SCs every morning then practiced Quants.
- Booked a date for 6th Oct
- 18sep: Veritas mock,  610 (Q42, V32) 
- Analysed weak points in quants, studied the concepts from various gmatclub's posts (mainly Bunuel's) and watched a lot of youtube videos (mainly gmatclub's old live sessions).
- 24sep : Veritas mock 2,  600 (Q43, V30) 
- GMAT cancelled my exam for center closure reason so booked a date for 23rd oct
- continued practicing in my usual way. 
- 9 oct: Egmat's SIX- Sigma mock,  600 (Q42, V31)

My observation- I am guessing so many answers in quant like a freak. I don't know why but I get very anxious about the time and constantly try to analyse the questions in my head and take a somewhat calculated guess. I had solved those types of questions in practice but somehow I'm scared that I might consume too much time so in a hurry I guess. This doesn't happen in Verbal a lot though. I tend to guess some questions towards the end of the section in verbal.

I have 50-70% accuracy in quant topics while SC is 65%, CR 66%, RC 71%. This is calculated from my practice questions where I solve 600-700 level questions from gmatclub question bank with the tags official guide, gmat prep and gmat paper test.

My  target score is around 700  (I'm thinking Q48, V38) but due to lack of data, I am not sure what's the average/ideal GMAT score for my target schools. I am trying to meet MCMaster's 2nd round deadline of 9th Nov and I'll also be applying to various other Canadian school for MSC Management/MIM or MSC Finance program.

I am too stressed and can't figure out what needs to be done at this point. Certainly my practice strategy isn't working. I am wondering if working on my strong parts for quants instead of weaker parts will help because I have focused a lot on Number Properties, Factors and few other topics but still can't get much better at them.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

This post provide some insight. All the best. V31 to V40 - https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-online- ... 68599.html

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Nis20,

Based on the information that you've provided over the last 2 months, you've been scoring in the 550 - 610 range during most of that time - which implies that 'your way' of approaching the Exam has gotten you 'stuck' at this particular level (and that you've developed some 'bad habits' that are keeping you from scoring higher). In a prior post, you noted that you would probably apply with a 670 (or higher), but honing the necessary skills to consistently score at that higher level will likely take far more than just an additional 2 weeks of study. There's no harm in taking your GMAT as scheduled, but assuming that you're going to retake the Exam again if you score less than 670, then you could potentially save some time, money and frustration by pushing back this Test Date.

What is the next Application Round after November 9th?

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

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

You have to take your time when you're doing practice questions and shoot for understanding and accuracy.

In other words, practice untimed, and shoot for at least around 85 to 90 percent accuracy in all topics and, even better, streaks of 15 questions correct in a row in all topics, for easy, medium, and hard questions.

Then, once you're achieving that kind of accuracy, start working the time per question down while maintaining that level of accuracy.

See these posts for more insights.

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-prep- ... 57059.html

https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-tip-b ... 59527.html

https://gmatclub.com/forum/mastering-th ... 58019.html

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

You have to take your time when you're doing practice questions and shoot for understanding and accuracy.

In other words, practice untimed, and shoot for at least around 85 to 90 percent accuracy in all topics and, even better, streaks of 15 questions correct in a row in all topics, for easy, medium, and hard questions.

Then, once you're achieving that kind of accuracy, start working the time per question down while maintaining that level of accuracy.

See these posts for more insights.

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-prep- ... 57059.html

https://gmatclub.com/forum/verbal-tip-b ... 59527.html

https://gmatclub.com/forum/mastering-th ... 58019.html

Nis20 · Answer

3rd round is 14 Jan but some other school has December 1st deadline (they don't do rounds).

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Nis20,

If you could potentially take your Official GMAT as late as late-November, then that is something to consider (as that additional study time - if used correctly - could put you in a much better position to hit your Score Goal). You would likely need to work on your applications while you're still studying - and while that might not be an ideal situation, there are considerably worse situations (such as not having a competitive-enough GMAT Score for the Programs that you plan to apply to and missing the deadlines entirely).

Statistically-speaking, raising a 600 to the point that you can consistently score 670+ will likely require that you commit to at least another 1.5 months of consistent, guided study (with a 700+ likely requiring more time than that) - and you would 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. If you can accommodate that longer study timeframe, then there is a specific Study Plan that I could recommend that you follow.

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

	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.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	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

Stuck at a 600 plateau and need expert advice!

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