Very low verbal score

Question

Hi All,

I have a real problem in verbal section especially in SC and RC. I scored 480 (Q45, V13) in my last GMATPREP software exam.My real GMAT is in 3 weeks. I need to improve my verbal score.

Do you think i should study SC material again or what? I used Manhattan and OG questions but i made alot of mistakes in SC section.

I was thinking of studying GMAT club grammar book. I don't know if this is the right thing to do. I don't have enough time.

Please help.

Thanks in advance.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rayda,

With this recent CAT result, it's pretty clear that you need to put in some serious work to raise your Verbal Scaled Score. Before we can talk about how best to do that, it would help if you could provide a bit more information about how you've been studying and your goals:

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

4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

Rayda · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the reply.

I know i need a lot of work, and i feel lost.

1- I started studying 4 months ago(first of April).
2-Manhattan(9 books + foundations of GMAT Verbal), OG 2015 and some GMAT Prep now free video course.
3-I haven't took so much CATs ( GMAT club last sores 480(Q23, V23), london buisiness school GMAT test (590-610, Q38-40,V34-35) and GMAT prep software ( 480,Q13,Q45).
4-My goal score is 650.
5-semester starting Sept 2017 (the deadline is in April i guess).
 
Thanks,
Rayda

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rayda,

Unfortunately, raising your score 170+ points in 3 weeks is not realistic, so you should consider pushing back your Test Date. While you could take the GMAT as scheduled, you will likely score beneath your goal and end up paying to take the Test again later.

Your studies so far appear to have been 'book heavy.' Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. The OG books are great sources for practice questions, but they're not designed to teach you Tactics, patterns or the little 'secrets' behind the GMAT - for those, you'll need Course-oriented materials. As such, you'll likely end up needing to invest in some non-book resources (and likely a GMAT Course of some type - either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led) and you'll probably need another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study to hit your goal score.

1) How many hours do you study during a typical week?

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

Rayda · Answer

Hi Rich,

You are totally right . But may be if i tried practicing more, i would be better. I want to finish this test ASAP.

I will take this as a challenge.

1- 3-5 hrs/day , but more in the weekends.

Thanks,
Rayda

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey Rayda,

The SC section is the easiest verbal section to make improvements on. Once you understand how to think and approach this question type, there are only so many ways you can be tested.

Here at GMAT Pill we developed the 10 core frameworks which detail the 10 ways to approach GMAT sentence corrections.

Here is a sample video detailing one of the core frameworks: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... stion/2184

To improve RC - you really need visual guidance. Don't read articles about how to improve reading. You improve by actually doing or watching someone else do.

That's why you might find these video walkthroughs helpful: https://www.gmatpill.com/practicequestio ... tions.html

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rayda,

You should be careful about trying to 'rush' through this stage of your studies. Skill-building takes time, and requires far more than just working through lots of practice questions. Since 4 months of study has led to a V13, it's unlikely that trying to rush through 3 weeks of additional study will lead to a significant improvement (especially if you're just going to continue answering questions in the same ways as before).

1) Do you know the exact application deadlines for the Schools that you plan to apply to?

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

Rayda · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the advice. You are right in this point.

The deadline is end of March. It means i have till February to take the GMAT.

Thanks,
Rayda

youneverknow · Answer

Check out Sentence Correction module of gmatprepnow.com

I was horrible at SC, averaging 1/13 or 3/13 on every mock I took. Even if i got more than that, I wouldn't be as sure of my answer as when I answered a Quant, CR or RC question. This site's module improved my SC to 100% correct-- no joking-- with coherent explanations for each answer in my head, in my last GMAT Prep(scored V37 in Gmat later on) .

I'm in no way affiliated with the company. But seriously, give it a try. I can't guarantee the same for CR and RC because I never practiced it from that site.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Rayda,

Since the application deadline isn't until next year, you still have LOTS of time to study and improve. While it's understandable that you would want to try to wrap up your studies sooner rather than later (especially since you've been studying for some time already), the existing evidence shows that you still have a lot of work to do. This is all meant to say that the end score goal (and getting into Business School) are the priorities, so you should make sure to map out your studies to properly maximize your chances at those goals.

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

Rayda · Answer

Thanks i will try this module again with more concentration. Well can you give me any advice to improve RC? My problem is i can't get the big picture and can't concentrate , I get lost in it !. Sometime i don't know what are they talking about. The passages are kind of boring.

Thanks,
Rayda

Thanks,
Rayda

Rayda · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the advice. But I want to finish this test ASAP, I already studied this for 4 months, i can't stand another 4 months in the same thing.I will try my best in these days. But if there is no improvement i will postpone it for sure.

Thanks,
Rayda

youneverknow · Answer

RC is basically a combination of reading, interpreting and solving low-level CR questions based on your understanding. I have a habit of reading newspapers, reddit, quora and novels--read about 4-5 novels every September or October-- so Reading Comprehension was easier for me. But you can try out this technique that I devised when I lost my confidence and got extremely nervous while reading complex RCs-

Read from one full stop to next. Even if you don't understand a few words, or miss out a phrase due to whatever reason, DON'T STOP. It is imperative that you finish the entire sentence in one go. You will notice that you will at the very least form a rough skeleton of what the sentence tried to convey (this is because of the fact that GMAT RCs are always structured and contain a myriad of linking words to make understanding easier). Now give a quick glance to the sentence again to find the words you missed and understand their purpose. Not only is this method fast, but it also improves your comprehension of RC tremendously.

If you fail to understand this sentence even then, read on. Don't bemuse on it. Read the next sentence, in the same manner, to piece together information. As I stated earlier, GMAT RC always consists of sentences that form a logical chain. They are always connected with one another in a figurative chain. If you didn't understand a single sentence, you can most of the time infer its meaning, or understand the sentence's purpose in the paragraph and the passage as a whole, from its preceding and succeeding sentence. Once I kept reading 3 long sentences with next to no comprehension before understanding the link between them( first sentence was the introduction of two factions, next two were parallel explanations and comparisons of those factions). However, draw the line of comprehension-less speed reading at the end of a paragraph. If you didn't understand a single thing until the end of a paragraph, you should probably try reading it again carefully.

Know that all this is unnecessary if you have enough confidence in your reading skills, but it can prove handy if you phase out during your exam. If you have a problem understanding long, complicated sentence structures-- like the ones I used in this answer itself-- you should watch those SC videos I recommended above diligently, as understanding a complex sentence is quintessential to understanding an RC. Also, since it is your last month or so, practice only from the two official verbal books. All passages in those books are structured properly and are absolutely perfect examples of the type of RCs you will face in the actual GMAT. If you get some answer wrong, try to understand  why  you got that answer wrong and recognize  what  logical gaps you have. If you are not satisfied with the answer, PM someone in gmatclub or post the question.

Rayda · Answer

Thanks for the advice. I will try to do this when i get to the RC part. Thank you very much for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Rayda

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