Enthusiastically asking for a study advice

Question

Great day GMAT community.

I used to have a GMAT club account but because I want to reset my Error log and start all the preparation again,so, I decieded to create a new one. I'm a non-native speaker from Thailand who is trying to get 650+ GMAT score. It has been almost 2 years of ups and downs since my GMAT journey started 1 Jan 2021. My journal Backgound Study timeline ➔First Mock test - 410 Q27 V12 ➔Start with magoosh prep for 10-11 months. Went through all the concepts but did not take another official mock because did not want to waste. ➔First GMAT attempt - Nov 8 2021 - 530 Q44 V19 canceled the score. ➔Start all over again aiming for a better verbal score , especially SC. joined E-Gmat and go through all the concepts again. ➔Second GAMT attempt - Aug 28 2022 - 530 Q39 V24 accepted the score. Yes, I have been gone through all the concept twice but still not able to get to my goal. Despite feeling unmotivated , I want to find the right solution for my journey. E-GMAT and magoosh might work for someone, unfortuately it's not for me. I believe that one day I will be able to see that 650 pop up on my screen and I want to continue loving GMAT. Im not sugar coating anything , as I said , almost 2 years of preparation really stress me out. However, I somehow feel greatful that I have this opportunity, everyone who is preparing this exam also, you guys are the best!

Asking for advice PS, **Both Magoosh and Emgat are good, but does not suit me. Please help me suggest any course or tutor that is not too expensive. I have tried to break down my request to be as specific as possible. 1 Any course that balanced well Verbal and Quant. 2 Course that provide good explanation that easy to understand. For example, In E-Gmat "2 elements SET" topic , they use the venndiagram method. However, I'm more comftable with using the table. Hence, Everytime reading their explanation I could not see what is my falwed. 3 Course that gradually increace the question lv. does not jump from Easy question to mid lv. question. For example, E-Gmat might have good course structure , after you go though all the concept you have to take the cement quiz to cement your concept.However, I feel like their cement quiz is harder than basic question they provided me in the concept file. Hence, I'm feels like i'm lacking a middle practice between easy question and cementing quiz question. 4 Course that not only allow me to study at my own paste but also have tutor who help me shaped my study schedule when needed. (personalized study schedule) Help me breakdown my strength and weak point and create schedule. No need to have a lot of practice questions but if there is 3-4 mock test will be very helpful.

Thank you for all your help in advance, open for any suggestion

PV7 · Answer

Hi Ritax,

For Gmat verbal, I'd personally recommend GMAT ninja and GMAT prep now youtube channels. They offer free content but the quality is great.

Hit that kudos button if the response helped you.

Cheers!

Russ19 · Answer

Hi Ritax , You can go through some manhattanprep prep hour sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3A9YyFw-UQ&t=1040s The best platform in the world for quant is gmatquantum. For quant explore the video solutions to OG problems: https://gmatquantum.com/official-guides/ Good Luck!

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi  Ritax

Sorry about how things went with your GMAT. The key to scoring well on GMAT is to focusing on the right aspects. If your score doesn't improve even almost two years of prep, then that means that there's something wrong with the preparation strategy. First let us understand the right way to prepare for GMAT.

How to prepare for GMAT in the right way?  
Before you start preparing for any test, it's important to understand the structure of the test, what is tested on it and then prepare accordingly. In this case, GMAT is a test which focuses on your application skills along with the conceptual knowledge. So, just learning the concepts and practicing questions without focusing on the right methodology will not do any good. So, I suggest you to first focus on the methodology to solve questions of a particular topic and only then move to practicing questions of that topic.

So, the right way to prepare would be to first
   learn the concepts of a topic,  
 learn the right methodology to solve questions of that topic 
 practice a few questions of that topic to solidify your learning and then move to the nest topic 
 Repeat the process for all the topics

And working on weak areas is equally important. You move to the next topic only if you get a decent accuracy in the previous topic. If not, you revisit the concepts, fill the conceptual gaps and then move to the next topic only when you are 100% confident. There are a couple of articles which you might find helpful.

How to effectively plan your studies for GMAT

How to score 700+ on GMAT

How to start preparing for GMAT  
 
And you can go through the recording below to understand how to strategize your GMAT prep in an effective way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65n8_LIbPIM  
  What might have gone wrong?  
As we have understood the right way to prepare, now let's analyze what could have gone wrong with your previous attempt. You must have learnt the concepts of the topics and you must have practiced questions as well.  But did you focus on the methodology part? Did you focus on working your weak areas?

These two could be the major reasons for you not scoring well on GMAT. So, this time make sure you do your prep in the right way by focusing on all the above parameters.

A lot of students spend a lot of time studying from various resources but see little to no improvement. One of the major reasons is that they fail to identify the gaps in the preparation. The courses that you have mentioned above are all great ones. However, the biggest problem with them is that they are all static courses which means you need to start studying from scratch and complete everything and while doing so you may not get an additional input on where you need to improve. So, using these courses to do well in the exam in a short time will be an uphill task.

And regarding the  resource , choose a resource which can help you with not only the  concepts , but the  methodology as well . And the questions to practice and their  detailed solutions  are equally important as the solutions help you  understand where exactly you are making the mistake . And a  study plan  would be an added advantage as you will have  clear deadlines .

I would highly suggest that you try out GMATWhiz course once. The best part about GMATWhiz is that it comes with an inbuilt study plan and personalizes your courses on the basis of your strengths and weakness. It will provide you exactly what you need to "improve". The course content is quite comprehensive, and we have detailed videos explaining everything from basics. And we also provide detailed videos explaining the best way to solve Quant questions and the right methodology to ace Verbal. Also, the mentors are always available to guide you in case you get stuck somewhere in your preparation. They'll help you understand where you went wrong and recommend the right course of action.

And regarding how to proceed further and the study strategy, I think it would be better if we can get in touch over a call and discuss the same as I would like to ask a few questions about your current preparation strategy and your weak areas. You can use the below link to get in touch with me.

Click here to schedule a call

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Ritax,

To start, raising a 410 to a 530 is a solid achievement - and it shows that you have the capacity to learn and improve. The next 120+ points that you are after will be a bit more challenging to pick up, but the GMAT is the same consistent, predictable Exam that it has always been, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Based on the relatively similar results from your 2 Official GMATs, it's likely that you developed some 'bad habits' during your earlier studies that we will need to define and fix (and ultimately replace with new 'good habits') before you will be able to consistently score at a higher level.

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:

1) Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your 2nd Official GMAT at a Test Center, then 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 on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Ritax    Please help me suggest any course or tutor that is not too expensive.

Check out the gmatclub study plan post.

The GMAT Knight blog has some tips and an idiom list for SC you may find helpful, too.

BLTN · Answer

Dear Ritax,
I was in your shoes; I also used the same platform, but such approach did not bring me the visible result. What works for one does not necessarily work for other. Therefore, I would suggest to take TTP because its well-structured study plan and unique approach already have helped me to ameliorate my Quant score. Weather you need to recall some concepts or practice weakness areas TTP study plan can guide you to do so.

Whatever course you choose, feel free to reach me; we can compare our upshots:-)

Ritax · Answer

PV7 Thankyou ! , GMAT ninja youtube vdo actually helps me improve my SC from 19 to 24 lol. I will definitely check out GMAT prep now youtube :

GMATWhizTeam Thankyou for your great advice, I think my bigest mistakes is I did not solidify concepts before moving to new one. I'm planning to try GMATWhiz free trail, looking forward to the course.

EMPOWERgmatRichC These are my answers, 1) Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week? - approximately 10-12 hours , 1-2 hours week days and 5-6 in the weekend. 2) What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? 3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? - I used only GMAT official mock both scored about 530 ish. << I believe this is my real ability score - another 3 mock I took are from Egmat Xmock 410 520 and 610 < the last one might only lucky 4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to? - I'm planning for business school in China , Shanghai (Shanghaijiaotong, Fudan MIT) They gave scholarship for 650+ GMAT , thats' my goal. About the ESR , I have purchased it , please reply if you okay with me sending the ESR to your email.

GmatTutorKnight Thankyou I would definitely check it out. BLTN I'm currently trying TTP free trail, are you okay If I sent PM to you ? I have some concern about the course.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Regarding prep courses, in addition to seeking advice in this thread, take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for the best quant and verbal courses, and also read through some GMAT success stories to see what materials have worked well for other test-takers.

You also may find it helpful to read this article about how to score a 700+ on the GMAT.

Good luck!

You also may find it helpful to read this article about  how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Ritax,

I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions (and you can feel free to email me your ESR - at [email protected])

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

BLTN · Answer

Dear Ritax , sure thing

	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

Enthusiastically asking for a study 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