Verbal Comprehension not improving

Question

Hello everyone

Below are my official mock scores:
28-02-2021 - GMAT Prep 2 - 570 (Q48, V21)
19-03-2021 - GMAT Prep 1 - 540 (Q48, V18)
25-03-2021 - GMAT Prep 3 - 530 (Q48, V16)

I got 6 SC wrong 5 CR wrong and 11 RC wrong in the latest GMAT Prep mock from yesterday.

Starting mid February till 24-03-2021 took GMAT Linear tests from IMS and got below results. I don’t completely rely on below results because these are linear and non-adaptive tests but took them more as a reference to get used to the exam environment.
Exam 1 - 520 (Q33, V27)
Exam 2 - 580 (Q38, V31)
Exam 3 - 500 (Q28, V29)
Exam 4 - 590 (Q42, V28)
Exam 5 - 500 (Q29, V29)
Exam 6 - 670 (Q47, V33) 24-03-2021

In the official mocks, I always run out of time in verbal section and random guess last 5 questions on the other hand while trying to hurry from the beginning I end marking wrong answers. Both ways the results have been same for me.

I studied verbal from EGMAT going through all the video lectures at least thrice in the last 2 months. Made notes on SC concepts and best practices to approach CR questions. Practised questions from gmat club as well.

31st May is my deadline and a reason for my panic because I need to get a score of 600+ and submit before this date.

It looks to me that I need to get somewhere between V26 and V30 to reach my goal.

I already exhausted exam 1, 2 and 3 from my gmatprep account and need advise on how should I move forward?
Is it feasible to achieve my target score in the given timeline and what techniques should I implement/follow to not get disappointed again (GMAT Prep 3 result shattered my confidence in reading comprehension skills

Thank you.

Posted from my mobile device

mSKR · Answer

What I have analyzed through my practice exams is that correcting one hard question is better than skipping hard questions and getting correct easy or medium level questions. Skipping in the end may affect only if you have not got correct hard questions.

Solving 1st 20-25 questions all correct would not make your score fall below 35. It means guessing in the end would not matter much. As you do more mistakes in 1st 20-25 , Skipping would penalize you more because exam algorithm might not have set your skill level in 30s or 40s. 
Summary : This exam is more about showing your skill level. you need to give proof of solving correctly some hard questions consistently. Once algorithm believes you have high skill level , you score will still be higher.

You can try the same strategy in your quants section. You solve first 25 correctly, guess last 6 , your score would still be 48-49. But if there are mistakes before then you need to solve more than 25. If higher number of mistakes before, even completion of exam would not help because algorithm took your skill level based on what level of questions you solved correctly.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Gabbi,

Until you can answer the WHY question, moving your score up will continue to be a challenge.

It's not only about WHAT questions you're getting wrong, the key thing is a detailed understanding of WHY you're getting them wrong.

Remember the GMAT is a test of critical / executive reasoning that uses Verbal and Quant to test those skills. There are a lot of ways to overcome comprehension issues with better process in both parts of the test.

Why don't we answer that WHY question for you right away with a FREE 90 minute diagnostic session with a GMAT performance coach? There no obligation and you'll get far greater focus in your prep efforts as a result.

Let me know if you're interested.

Best regards

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi gabbi.

You can certainly increase your verbal score, and a couple things jump out at me from what you said.

One is that it sounds as if you have learned some things  about  GMAT verbal but have not done that much practicing. To become more skilled in GMAT verbal, you have to do a LOT of untimed practice involving careful, choice by choice analysis of questions. In other words, in going through verbal questions, you have to treat each choice as if the choice itself were a question, sticking with the choice until you fully understand why it is incorrect or correct.

Also, when you practice, you should work slowly enough to achieve a relatively high accuracy rate. If you can learn to get questions correct in 15 minutes each, you can then learn to get them correct more quickly.

The other thing that jumps out at me is that it appears that you are rushing through the verbal sections of the practice tests you are taking. I bet you'll do your best by just working at your best pace and then guessing on any questions that remain in the last few minutes allotted to the section.

In any case, you should save the rest of the official practice tests for later in your preparation, after you are achieving a relatively high accuracy rate in answering practice questions.

For some more insights into how to increase your verbal score, you could read the following posts.

GMAT Sentence Correction: 8 Essential Tips

GMAT Critical Reasoning: 8 Essential Tips

GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips: Top 8 DOs and DON’Ts

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gabbi,

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 - and that you took your CATs in a realistic fashion that matches-up with how you will take your Official GMAT - your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 550 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. The difference between your 570 and 530 are likely based on some lucky/unlucky guesses and little mistakes (that you either made or did not make on each Exam). Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

A Score Goal of 600+ is realistic given the timeframe that you've mentioned, but 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 in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to? Is May 31st the application deadline for all of the Programs that you are interested in or are there later deadlines for certain Programs?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
 
 760+: What GMAT Assassins Do to Score at the Highest Levels

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi gabbi,

I have responded to your query on the other forum. Do get in touch if you need any help.

Click here to schedule a call

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Verbal Comprehension not improving

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