Verbal Course for Native Speaker

Question

I am a native English speaker and have self-studied the GMAT for about 2 years now, but I have always been stuck in the low to mid 30s for Verbal when taking the real exam. I want to score at least V41 to reach my target of 750, and I think that it is time for me to take a GMAT course, because I have read PowerScore several times and have even used LSAT LR and RC material to supplement my practice since I have exhausted all of the GMAT CR and RC material. I am considering either Empower GMAT or e-GMAT, but I am leaning towards e-GMAT, but it is targeted towards non-natives. I have already tried Magoosh and GMAT Pill, but they were a waste of money. Does anyone know of any courses that will help natives who struggle with Verbal? Can any native speakers vouch for e-GMAT or do you recommend Empower GMAT?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TooLong150,

2 years is a rather long time to have studied (even if it might have been off-and-on); during that time, you've likely developed some 'bad habits' that are keeping you 'stuck' in the V30s. As such, beyond learning and practicing some new tactics, we'll also need to work to get you out of those bad habits and into some new 'good' habits.

You've already defined your score goal, but you have not defined how you've been scoring on your CATs.

How many CATs have you taken over the Course of your studies?
How have you scored on your last few CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

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

DeSales · Answer

Hey,

In the name of efficiency, I think it's important to consider what exactly is tripping you up about verbal.

Rounds and rounds of practice will do you little good if there's something fundamentally wrong with the way you're approaching questions or your understanding of some aspect of english!

Any patterns you've noticed?

mrslee · Answer

Dear Rich,

Towards the end of september I am planning to take Gmat exam. However, I have even never taken any CAT. How deterministic is the CAT in terms of getting to know whether one is ready to take the exam or not?
p.s. I will take 10 days off, since I am working. I have been preparing for gmat for the last 3 months by focusing on Verbal parts. As I am non-ntaive and feel that will do better on Math part, I especially focused on the weakest side of mine.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi mrslee,

Unfortunately, there's really no 'perfect substitute' for the Official GMAT. However, you can take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT (including the Essay and IR sections), under conditions that are fairly realistic and that 'match up' with what you'll face on Test Day. In that way, you can get a fairly accurate assessment of your overall skills and your 'readiness' to face the Official Test.

Some of the big factors that many Test Takers do NOT account for are physical and psychological 'challenges' of taking a FULL GMAT. If you're not taking Full CATs at regular intervals, then you are not learning how to deal with those challenges. As such, you really should plan to take a FULL CAT sometime soon (perhaps this weekend). Chances are likely that you will not be happy with that initial CAT result, which is one of the reasons WHY it's so important to take that first CAT - it will help show you what you need to improve on.

What is your score goal?
When are you planning to apply to Business School?
Do you have the flexibility to push your Test Date back?

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

TooLong150 · Answer

Here is my score history:
21 Practice Tests and 5 Actual Exams

Official Exam Score History
==========================================
09/16/2014
690=Q47, V37, IR 3, AWA 5.5
ESR:
Verbal
CR=40
RC=40
SC=33

Quant
PS=49
DS=44
ARITH=49
ALG=45

11/08/2014
610=Q47, V28, IR 7, AWA 5
* Experienced heavy test anxiety in Verbal
ESR:
Verbal
CR=17
RC=31
SC=39

Quant
PS=46
DS=47
ARITH=44
ALG=49

12/20/2014
700=Q50, V34, IR 5, AWA 5

Verbal
CR=37
RC=35
SC=30

Quant
PS=50
DS=49
ARITH=50
ALG=49

08/08/2015
700=Q49, V36, IR 6, AWA 5

Verbal
CR=41
RC=36
SC=32

Quant
PS=48
DS=49
ARITH=48
ALG=49

08/28/15
690=Q48, V35, IR 5, AWA 5.5
Froze in Quant and had to guess on several questions, but was fine in Verbal.

Verbal
CR=25
RC=38
SC=36

Quant
PS=46
DS=50
ARITH=48
ALG=49

Practice Exams
=====================
02/21/14
MGMAT Exam #1 (No Essay or IR)
* Score: 680 (Q 44, V 38))

03/01/14
GMATPrep #1 (Exclude Essay and IR)
 * Score: 640 (Q47, V31)

03/22/14
MGMAT Exam 2 (No Essay or IR)
 *Score: 710 (Q47, V40)

04/12/14
GMATPREP Exam #2 (No Essay or IR)
* Score 690 (Q 49, V 35)
 * Very inflated especially for Quant

05/10/14
MGMAT #3 (Full Exam)
Score: 590 (Q38, V33, IR 1.7)
Fatigued from Essay and IR

05/31/14
GMATPrep #3 (Includes Essay and IR)
* Score: 680 (Q49, V33, IR 5)

07/26/14
MGMAT Exam #4
* Score (630, Q 40, V 36, IR 1.77)

08/02/14
GMATPREP Exam #4 (Default Exam Pool)(Use Pad)
* Score: 760 (Q49, V44, IR 7)
* Heavily Inflated in Verbal and in Quant
* Real Score: 680 (Q47, V37, IR 5)

08/09/14
* MGMAT Exam #5
* Score: 690 (Q45, V38, IR 5.5)

08/16/14
*GMATPREP Exam #4 (2nd Exam in Default Exam Pool)
* Score: 770 (Q50, V44, IR 8)
* Actual Score: 700-710 (Q48, V39)
* Heavily inflated

08/30/14
*MGMAT Exam #6
* Score: 670 (Q45, V36, IR 3.73)

09/06/14
GMAT PREP #4 (Extra Exam Pool)
 * Score: 710 (Q47, V40, IR 3)

09/13/14
* GMAT PREP #3
* Score: 760 (Q50, V44, IR5)
* Pretty much received the same questions that I did in the previous sitting on 09/06/14

10/18/14
* GMATPREP Exam #1 (Retake)
* Score: 780 (Q50, V47, IR 8)
* Saw many repeated questions

10/25/14
* MGMAT Exam #1 (Retake)
* Score: 720 (Q43, V45, IR 3)
* Inflated

11/01/14
* GMATPREP Exam #4 (Retake) 
* Score : 750 (Q50, V41, IR8)

12/06/14
MGMAT Exam #2 (Retake)
* Score : 710 (Q44, V42, IR2)

12/13/14
GMATPREP Exam #4 (Retake)
* Score: 760 (Q50, V44, IR 7)
* Saw repeated questions

12/20/14-07/18/15
Focused on Verbal (Especially CR using LSAT LR material)
Quant review from 06/01/15 onwards
No tests taken

07/18/15
GMATPREP Test Exam #3 (Retake)
Score: 750 (Q 50, V 41, IR 5)

07/25/15
MGMAT Test Exam (Retake)
Score: 720 (Q 43, V 45, IR 3)

08/01/15
GMATPREP Test Exam #4 (Retake)
Score: 760 (Q 50, V 42, IR 7)
Many repeated questions

TooLong150 · Answer

Hi mrslee,

I think it would be best if you started a new thread with your inquiry, because this question heavily deviates from the original topic.

TooLong150 · Answer

The patterns that I have noticed are the following:
I can't think of several assumptions to CR arguments 50% of the time.
When I have exhausted my arsenal of SC errors, I choose the answer that sounds the best.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TooLong150,

It was not clear from your original post that you have taken the GMAT 5 times already. Given that you've already scored 700/Q50 (which is an outstanding score - it's right around the 90th percentile overall), you should apply to whichever Business Schools interest you - and consider yourself DONE with the GMAT.

You've performed in such a consistent way on each of your GMAT attempts, and you've been studying in such a way for so long, that it will likely take a significant amount of effort for you to change the way you 'see' (and respond to) this Test. So beyond your personal goal, why are you still studying for the GMAT?

When are you planning to apply to Business School?
Do you know which Schools you're planning to apply to?

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

TooLong150 · Answer

I want to apply to top 10 schools, but my GPA is low (3.2), and my GMAT score is below the average. I want to be able to exceed the average by a standard deviation, and I believe that a high score (at least a 750) will enable me to do this. I plan to apply in a few years, but I would like to get the GMAT out of the way first. With all this being said, I still believe that a change in the way that I see Verbal will unlock the highest potential in my score.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TooLong150,

Based on what you've described, your ACTUAL goal is to get into a Top10 Business School - you just think that a slightly higher GMAT score is what will make the difference. Top10 Programs are exceptionally competitive, and their respective Admissions Committees nitpick the OVERALL application before accepting an applicant to attend School. As such, you could have an 800, but if your overall application is NOT competitive, then you won't receive the invite. This is my way of saying that you should plan to discuss (with an Admissions Expert) what you can do in OTHER areas (work experience, extracurriculars, etc.) to bolster your applications... for when you apply in a few years' time.

At this scoring level, the GMAT becomes really 'sensitive' to little mistakes - in real basic terms, to score 750+, you really can't afford to make any little mistakes. With some really focused study, and a commitment to adapting how you 'see' the Verbal section, you could potentially make the improvements that you're looking for... and THEN inadvertently lose those gains in the Quant section. If you are truly determined to stick to this task, then you'll have to really emphasize your 'precision' in ALL areas, not just the Verbal section.

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

TooLong150 · Answer

Okay, good to know. Maybe it wasn't clear in this thread, but I wasn't going to stop studying Quant at all; I would still practice while I focus on Verbal. How do you think that I can best use EmpowerGMAT to help me achieve my target goal?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TooLong150,

Since your last two Official GMAT Scores are essentially the same (but there are some variations worth noting), can you post the complete ESR for both Exams? If you're not comfortable posting that information, then you can email me the PDFs.

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

TooLong150 · Answer

I have attached both ESRs to this post.

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