First official exam 655, how to improve from here?

Question

So, I took my first official exam with about 2.5mo of study (with a 50-55hr/wk job) and got a 655. (Q82, V85, DI80). Bit disappointed as I found the actual exams easier than mocks, but scorng tougher and time continues to be an issue for me. Please see attachment for screenshots of report, can't seem to paste in body.

Have been scoring 675 on the past 3 mocks, but this is the lowest verbal I ever received (always 88-90), as well as lowest DI (83+). I tend to have issues with making simple mistakes as well as not having enough time to completely think through every question. Ordinarily solved by slowing down, but then I wouldn't finish!

That said, I know I have it in me for a better score--hoping to get at least 685, preferably 705+. Would love to make this improvement in a month, if possible. Any advice on how to get there?

For context, I went through TTP lessons and some practice questions, reviewed wrong answers and past lessons multiple times. I'm about halfway through the official bank as well.

Purnank · Answer

I think only experts can help you with that but man thats good score on first attempt. Can you please share some insight how did you managed to do so well on verbal within 2.5 months prep?

IVYsaurBRIDGE · Answer

Thanks! To be honest, I didn't study verbal at all. Been naturally good at it since I spend some free time reading (books, the Economist, research papers). Quant/DI is where I focused all my study time, ironic given I had a quantitative undergrad and have a quantitative job.

It may not be the most helpful, but I think reading critically--thinking about the implications of an argument being made, how it fits with other things you've learned elsewhere, keeping an eye for biases, etc. help you build the fundamental skills necessary to perform on the exam. This doesn't need to be practiced on passages--in fact I think it's most helpful if you develop this habit with anything you read!

All the best!

P.S. Pinging  ScottTargetTestPrep  if you have any advice for either of us here!

pintukr · Answer

Attempt questions using Forum Quiz , duly filtered the difficulty levels.

All the Best.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi IVYsaurBRIDGE,

655 is a great score! You also have a very good verbal score (only 3 mistakes), so it's going to be hard for anyone, including experts, to give you anything substantial in terms of areas of improvement in VR.

Maybe you just need to prep a bit more and take the exam again? Or just go ahead with your applications.

IVYsaurBRIDGE · Answer

Thanks for the help! Specifically looking at ways to improve quant and DI—hoping verbal was just an off day. Have been working through forum quizzes and hoping to take the test again in about 2 weeks—if I can get 685+ I’d be happy with my chances for the schools I’m targeting.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi IVYsaurBRIDGE,

So, the good news is that you are in a pretty nice spot!

That said, you must continue to find your holes and fix them to improve your score. Topical practice is a great way to do that.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant, verbal, and DI topics.

For some more advice, here is a great article you can check out:

How to Improve Your GMAT Score

Also, if you want some advice on how to utilize TTP, feel free to reach back out, and we can discuss a path forward.

IVYsaurBRIDGE · Answer

Thanks, Scott! This is helpful. I am running through problem sets by type and honing in on areas where I'm weaker. Have also finally begun keeping an error log and almost "diary" of where I went wrong in the question. When I resume official prep, would you say practicing streaks would be helpful too?

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Yes, I'm happy to help! And sure you can practice streaks, but it's up to you.

First official exam 655, how to improve from here?

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