Need Advice (V33 and Q50, IR 7)

Question

Hey All,

Need feedback on how I can improve my GMAT score. Till now, I have given 3 GMATs - one - on August 16th, two - on Sept 11th and 3 - on Dec 9th.

1. Aug 16th 680 (V32 Q49)
2. Sep 11th 710 (V37 Q49)
3. Dec 9th 690 (V33 Q50)

I aim to improve the total score to 730+, basically to breach the V40 target. My strategy for the verbal third time was as follows:

1. Read concepts from Manhattan GMAT guides.
2. Attempt Manhattan Mock Tests. (I got 730+ repeatedly, but maybe that was because I retook them a couple of times).
3. Solve as many questions as I can from verbal review.

I do not understand how I should complement my verbal prep. Please suggest some good resources and how I should approach the prep before the next attempt. I mainly wish to focus on Sentence Correction. Waiting for the Enhanced Score Report to get more insights on where I went wrong - but I think I mainly messed up in Sentence Correction part. Felt like I got even the first question incorrect. Not sure though. Please help!

UPDATE: Gave my GMAT FOCUS on 13th Feb 2024 and Scored a 705. I'll make a detailed post about it. Thank you so much everyone for their support. 
 ScottTargetTestPrep

bb   Bunuel   Narenn

bb · Answer

Improving ones verbal is kind of like solving world peace. It’s too big of a problem to tackle at once. You have to divide and conquer. At minimum you have to divide your verbal prep into three big chunks. Then you need to get even more granular within each of the categories. Need to identify your weaknesses within sentence correction, critical reasoning and reading comprehension.

For example, it may be boldface critical reasoning questions or it may be assumption questions or it may be timing or approach. Even in reading comprehension you can get granular and focus on big idea questions or detail questions or scope.

I’m not trying to scare you by the way or paint this big enemy. Quite the opposite, I want to show you little bite-size enemies that you can have for breakfast 🍽️

I think this is a more efficient and defective way of addressing and improving as well as tracking your performance on verbal. Also, if you have issue with the specific area, it’s a lot easier to give you advice rather than having a very generic question. I can only answer it in a generic way and that will be frustrating.

Next steps, I’d recommend you cataloging all your fears and weak spots. I’m guessing you know them. Put them on the hit list and start hitting them and if you need help, ask how to handle one specific area and if you need help after that, then post again about a different area 👍

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

PS. Be a winner, join the Xmas Competition 😉

Posted from my mobile device

Kush419 · Answer

Haha thanks - once my ESR report is available - I'll slice and dice my weaknesses and strengths and ask for specific advice again.

Thanks!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If you share your ESR here, people may provide some specific suggestions (may want to wipe any personal info off it first). If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit. Had a student for example who went from a V31 to a V40 in about 30 days. Perhaps include working with a study buddy into your prep. If you found someone who is strong on Verbal and needs help with Quant, that could be a good fit. There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Kush419,

Since sentence correction is an issue for you, here is a helpful article you can check out:

GMAT Sentence Correction: 15 Essential Tips

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Kush419,

If you need to work on SC, you could consider  this (free) SC course .

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  Kush419 , since you mention SC as your specific area of concern, thought I would mention that our sentence correction book  Sentence Correction Nirvana  is perhaps the  only  book that offers a score improvement  guarantee , and is especially designed for  non-native  speakers.

After reading the book  twice  (yes! it's an  academic  book, and so must be read twice in all seriousness, to  reinforce  the concepts), you will start looking forward to solving SC questions!

The book is available on  Flipkart  and  Amazon.in . You might want to refer to these sites, to also read testimonials of how readers have benefited.

You can als go thru  this post  on how  Soubhik ,  who scored  V51  (overall score 780) , vouches for our book.

If you want to  sample  a chapter before deciding to go ahead with our book, please PM me your mail-id (along with the chapter that you would like to sample) and I will be happy to send that chapter to you by mail. In addition, the entire Grammar section of the book is also available for free preview at  pothi .

dylanhanks · Answer

To enhance your verbal prep, you can consider the following:
Review your ESR to identify specific areas for improvement in Sentence Correction.
Utilize resources like GMAT Club for additional practice questions and explanations.
Consider using the Official Guide for GMAT Review for targeted practice in Sentence Correction.
Explore online courses or tutoring for personalized guidance in verbal prep.
Focusing on your areas of weakness, such as Sentence Correction, and leveraging targeted resources can help you achieve your goal of breaching the V40 target. Good luck with your preparation!

Kush419 · Answer

Thank you so much - I checked out the first video - it seems super helpful. Let me know if you have something for Critical Reasoning as well. Thanks!

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Kush419,

There's a good chance that your problem isn't your conceptual knowledge but your testing takings skills/solving approach. We offer a free diagnostic session with a coach that will identify your exact gaps and how to fix them. It allows you to turn around your score in a matter of a week or two.

Let me know if you're interested.

klexian · Answer

Since your issue is sentence correction (same as mine), I suggest you take the focus edition.

Try out a mock now and you might already be at 700+ for it. I scored 735 first try without any practice (after having studied and taken classic)

Kush419 · Answer

This makes sense. I think I'll go with the focus exam. Best wishes to you!

	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

Need Advice (V33 and Q50, IR 7)

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