Verbal improvement for non natives

Question

Hi, this is my first post to the forum although I am an avid follower of the gmat club posts.
Let me keep it short and simple.If u really want to improve ur verbal score u can't and u shouldn't ignor RC. Reading habit is the key. Today I took the exam. Although over all score is nt satisfactory still I've improved verbal score by 5 points and I feel if I keep improving my reading skills I cn improve further.
So, the point is read magzines.good one. Though they r boring still read. My first choice is The Economists. Start first with all the free articles and all the old magzines and after that if u want more go for subscription. This reading will help u in both RC and SC. Save time and spend it judiciously.
By the way, for quant I'm nt the right person to tell anything because I score good with no or little preparation. I don't have any strategy for it. Once again without habit of Reading score is difficult to improve and this will help u later when u go for the mba. Try it.
Also active reading will help.There is nothing new in what I'm telling but I thought as I'm improving I must share it with others
Best of Luck

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

That is a great advice over there and congrats on the score improvement there. However, improving through reading might not be a great idea if you do not have time at hand. The GMAT is a test that test certain fundamentals and working on those can improve your performance on the test.

If you are low on time, following certain strategies can help on the RC too.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

How did you score on your Official GMAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)? And what is your score goal?

If you can go into a bit more detail about how you've studied so far, you will likely get some additional advice on how you can improve your studies even further.

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

Chandra1234 · Answer

You are right. Let me clarify. My advice is for those ppl who despite doing all kind of stuff still nt able to improve. In my case, Most of the books and materials I've were used by my friends. I'll only mention the best of those (in my opinion). CR Bible by PowerScore. SC by Manhattan prep (I purchased kindle version of both SC & RC but RC techniques were nt so useful for me. By the way u get 6 free tests. Solve them twice.these results one of the best) also I won 7 tests of Veritas prep.these r also very good tests. For SC eGMAT's free tips and articles r very useful. I've collection of them. I bought Kaplan Verbal workbook. It's good book. But for RC I've heard in this forum only that The Economists tutor ppl r good but I've nt tried. But reading their mazine will certainly help.Also, free tests by GMAT CLUB on national holidays. On one such holiday I took 4 verbal test.
As an individual for me the acuracy level for the questions was very good. By reading passage I could solve the questions correctly. The only challenge was how to finish reading within 3 min or read the question first and then actively read while looking for the answer. One more thing I try to read bit faster than my usual speed. This keeps u alert while reading.
 My post was not meant for those who are just starting but even these ppl can be benefited by developing reading habits. Scintific American is also good magzine but articles of The Economists are better.
 As for as my score is concerned I'll tell you once I cross 35 (V)?. But I'm also going to increase my speed in quant so that I cn get 50 or 51 which I feel is within my reach.Once again reading is not a separate thing which needs extra time just spend 1hr everyday if possible.My this advice will be particularly helpful for those who r stuck with certain low score despite trying everything.
Once I cross 700 I'll write here again.

Chandra1234 · Answer

Ah how cn I forget OG, Gmat prep, and Exam prep. These r soul of ur prep. I've OG 13th edition gifted by my friend. Since 13th edition and OG 2015 are basically same thing I did not purchase the New edition.
One more thing, more u spend time analysing all the options, more you learn why certain kinds of options are right or wrong. This will help you in educated guessing. I mean when u don't have time and u hv to guess better is to look at the options and try to figure out best among them. It's better than random guessing. More u hv spend time analysing all the options and not just the right options more this educated guessing can help you.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

It's great that you're comfortable offering this advice to other GMATers, but my original post was meant to help YOU to improve. Much of what you've written is general - if you are comfortable sharing the specifics about your situation, then I'll probably be able to offer some suggestions that will help you to score higher. Your advice to 'not ignore RC' is a good point; to that end, are YOU going to avoid other people's advice?

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

Chandra1234 · Answer

Thank you Rich. Plz help me improve my score.
Thank you

Chandra1234 · Answer

Sorry, I was travelling therefore I could nt respond properly. Let me be more specific. The only thing which stops me from achieving the desired score is my reading speed. Although I've improved signifIcantly but need to improve more. If you (Rich) can help me improve my speed while maintaining the accuracy. I'll be very grateful to you.I've seen you helping out others with ur selfless guidance.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

Raising your Verbal Scaled Score from a V30 to a V35+ won't require as much work as you might think, but you will likely have to adapt how you 'see' (and respond to) GMAT Verbal material.

I'd like to know a bit more about how you've studied so far:

1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs and the Official GMAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

On the Official GMAT, as long as you have 'bubbled' the circle on the last question in each section, your answer WILL be counted (so you don't have to hit the submit/confirm buttons before the clock runs out).

As an aside, a 700 is right around the 90th percentile overall (so calling it a 'decent' score is silly). The good news is that you don't necessarily need a 700+ score to get into your first-choice Business School.

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

Chandra1234 · Answer

Thanks Rich for your prompt reply.
Once again I thank you

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

With a Q49, it's difficult to pinpoint any specific areas that you need extra practice in, but there are clearly opportunities for you to pick up points in the Verbal section. As such, I can recommend the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, so it would fit your schedule perfectly. During that time, you'll also be able to access any of the Quant resources that interest you.

When it comes to applying to Business School, you have to remember that you need a strong OVERALL application AND you have to make sure that you present yourself properly. As long as your GMAT score is 'in the range' of what the School is looking for, then you're fine (of course, the higher your GMAT score, the better). Many applicants believe that they have to score above the prior year's class's average GMAT score to be considered a strong applicant, but that is not necessarily true (and certainly not a requirement to apply).

If you know which School(s) you plan to apply to, then you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

ask-admission-consultants-124/

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

Chandra1234 · Answer

Hi Rich,
Yes, I definitely want to improve my verbal score and after revision of what I already have prepared I'll go for the material you have mentioned. Application part will come once I score good in my GMAT. That time I'll take help of the link you have sent.
I sincerely thank you for your guidance. After the revision of material at hand I'm going to take help of that Empower GMAT material.

Thanks,

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Chandra1234,

Since you're planning to take the GMAT in a month, are you ALSO planning to apply to Business School sometime soon (for an upcoming Round 2 deadline?)? If you are, then you might have to spend some time working on your applications WHILE you're studying for the GMAT?

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

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