Verbal preparation

Question

Hello sir,

I am planning to take gmat in June and have almost completed my quant section.

I wish to start my verbal preparation, but don’t know how to actually ace that section of GMAT.
It would be great if you people if can help me through this.

Ps : I am not working anywhere now, so please suggest accordingly.

Thanks in advance

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pushpitkc · Answer

Hey iamgourav

The first step would be to download the GMATPrep software and take one of two free tests.
An update for the GMATPrep with reduced questions is expected in the next few days. Once
you write the exam and have a preliminary score, the experts on the forum will be able to
give you a clearer idea on how to proceed with your preparation

It makes sense to clear your concepts for every topic and then follow it up with some practice.
To build your concepts, you could use Manhattan Guides for SC and CR. Additionally, you could
use the PowerScore CR bible in order to solidify the concepts as far as the CR section goes.

For RC, you could refer to the below-given link
https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-club-s- ... 83101.html

Once you are clear with the strategy on how to approach the questions, you could start by
solving questions in the OG. Whenever you make mistakes, log your errors detailing the
reason for making the mistake. Continuously working on this error log will help you improve
your accuracy in the verbal section.

Last but not the least, make it a habit to read the books given in the following post
https://gmatclub.com/forum/books-to-rea ... 76079.html

Hope this helps you!

iamgourav · Answer

Thanks a lot for the guidance by you....

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamgourav,

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?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) What is your exact Test Date?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

iamgourav · Answer

Thanks for your concern Rich, here are the details below:

1. Actually in June 2017 I gave gmat and scored 500 ( Q44 V16)
I studied for around 1.5months in total, but one drawback was that I didn’t gave mock tests before my actual gmat exam, so I was unable to manage time during verbal section of the exam.

2. Last year when I prepared i used byjus online content with three months access to it. Along with it I used the OG Verbal and OG quant review books.
I have started my preparation again this year and have started studying quants with referring to my old byjus notes along with Manhattan foundations of math and advanced quant. I am about to finish with my quants preparation. Only thing left in that is to make the error log of Manhattan adavanced quants book.

3. Not given any CAT till now apart from the attempt of GMAT in June 2018.

Goals:

4. My goal score is 750.

5. Yet to schedule my exam,but planning for June month.

6. I am planning to apply for 2019 intake.
So that’s why want to finish off the exam by the end of June so that some time is left for profile building.

I am planning to apply for Wharton, NYU stern, Kellogg business school, MIT sloan , insead France or Singapore, I am planning for top colleges.

Please guide me thorough my gmat journey.

PS: I have a work experience of two year and one month working in IT in Hewlett Packard company. Recently have left my job to give my gmat properly with full preparation.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamgourav,

Raising a 500 to a 750+ will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. As such, you might need to consider pushing back your Test Date. As an aside, the 750+ score is about the 98th percentile - meaning that 98% of Test Takers never score that high (regardless of how long they study or the number of times that they take the GMAT). Thankfully, NO Business School requires a score that high - so it's important to realize that the score that you "want" and the score that you "need" are not the same thing.

About 2 weeks ago, GMAC made a formal announcement defining some changes that will be taking place to the format of the Official GMAT (beginning April 16, 2018). These changes primarily impact the overall length of the Exam (meaning the number of questions in the Quant and Verbal sections as well as the amount of time that you’ll have to complete each of those two sections). In theory, a shorter Exam could make it easier for a well-prepared Test Taker to score higher. Unfortunately, Official practice CATs in the new 'format' don't exist yet - but once they become available, you should plan to take one (so that we can get a better sense of how you perform under these new conditions). There are some 3rd-party CATs available in the new format right now, so you might consider taking one of those CATs instead of waiting for the Official CATs. Once you have that Score (regardless of which 'brand' of CAT you take), you should report back and we can discuss the results and how best to proceed.

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

iamgourav · Answer

Thanks for the detailed guidance Rich, can you suggest me any proper and an apt CAT which has a similar level to the one of actual GMAT. Once I will be be done with that, I will report back to you for your proper guidance and will strictly abide by that.
I need your guidance throughout as nobody’s is there to guide me and I lack strategy.

Kindly assist me !

Thanks & Regards
Gourav

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iamgourav · Answer

Meanwhile can you also mention some of the good materials for verbal preparation that will help me in enhancing my scores ?

Thanks & regard
Gourav

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamgourav,

I think that both Veritas and MGMAT have adapted their practice CATs to the new, shorter format, so you could take one of those CATs (if you did not want to wait for the new-format Official GMAC CATs). Before we can discuss which study materials might be the best 'fit' for your situation, we really need to get a better sense of your current skills, strengths and weaknesses - so having you take a FULL CAT in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.) is necessary at this point.

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

iamgourav · Answer

Thanks fir the answer Rich, definitely I will give any of these CAT’s mentioned by you and will report back to you once I am finished.

Regards 
Gourav

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello

Best Books

For Concept Learning

For SC: Manhttan SC Guide
For CR: The Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
For RC: Aristotle RC Grail

For Pratice

The Official Guide for GMAT 2015-18
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2015-18

Start first with Sentence correction. One month for learning concepts and one month for practicing question. During you Practicing question don't forget to make an error log to track your weak areas after practice. Once you know your weak areas revise your Concepts related to those areas and do some more Practice. 6-8 CATs are enough for practice the real tests. Make your Stamina for sitting 3 hours in the test and don't study more than 2 hours in one sit and 4 hours per day

Good Luck

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi iamgourav, For verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can easily track your progress in that you can identify your strengths and analyze and improve on your weak areas. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase the GMATPREP QP 1 for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu Hope this helps. All the best.

iamgourav · Answer

Hi Rich,

Today was my gmat exam and I scored a 450 (q36 v16)

I used MGMAT CAT’s for practice.

Here are my scores on each of them,

Mgmat cat 1 :570 (q42 v26)
Mgmat cat 2: 530 (q 38 v26)
Mgmat cat 3: 570 (q39 v 30)
Mgmat cat 4: 520 (q41 v21)
Mgmat cat 5: 570 (q47 v21)

Gmat Cat 1: 500 ( q44 v16)

I got bit nervous in the starting of exam, but calmed myself in around 10mins.

I have cancelled my scores. Need to reschedule again and need to prepare and give my exam.

I am very much devastated to see such an ugly score on the final exam day.

As far as goal score is considered my goal score is 600-650. Please guide me to reach my goal score.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamgourav,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as hoped. GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Even though your 2 Official Scores are about 1 year apart, they show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 470 +/- a few points). Regardless of how you've studied over the last year, you continue to 'see' (and respond to) the Official GMAT in the same general ways. By extension, to hit your Score Goal you really cannot afford to continue studying "your way."

Using this recent Score as reference, you will likely need another 3 months of consistent, guided study to raise a 450 to a 600+ and you will have to focus on learning and practicing the proper Tactics.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

iamgourav · Answer

Hi Rich,

I can study as per any plan that you suggest me.

I am not working anywhere and can dedicate any amount of time that is required for reaching my goal score.

By the way what I actually guess is that i have a level of q44 and v16 as its consistent ,mostly.

And for reaching a 600-650 level which area shall I focus more I.e. quants or verbal and what shall be my strategy in handling both the sections?

I don’t have 3months time with me, rather I can dedicate more hours daily basis. Can’t this score be reached on to in a month?
Please suggest me

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iamgourav · Answer

Hey Rich,

Kindly help me out in reaching my target score.
Waiting for your suggestion!

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi iamgourav,

I sent you a PM with some additional advice.

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

iamgourav · Answer

Hi Rich

I have replied you, can you please check and suggest accordingly

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