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sandijuela04
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Help! 420 looking to raise score dramatically! 03 Nov 2011, 20:42
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Hello,

I'm need to raise my score significantly and need help desperately. I took the GMAT during my last year of undergrad in 2009 and scored 420 Q 22 V 25. Since then, I've taken the Kaplan course and tried several books but haven't been consistent enough to take another real GMAT. I'm too scared of the quantitive score, I'm TERRIBLE at math and studying an sort of math. I'm really good with the verbal portion and was told by Kaplan to stop studying verbal and only do math.

I want to get into UCDavis this fall and need as much help as possible. I have 36 days til my GMAT on Dec 10th. Davis' average GMAT is 600 (range 460-760) and wants a 38-42 Q score. Also I just started with GMAT pill and am working with that Q help.

Please advise!! Anything helps!!
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BM
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Help! 420 looking to raise score dramatically! 05 Nov 2011, 05:50
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First, what is your current verbal score? If it still lingers at the V 25 level, then that wouldn't be a good sign.

For math, which guidebooks have you used or are currently using? You confessed that consistency is something of a challenge. How are you studies now? Let's cover these issues first before we discuss strategy.
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sandijuela04
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Help! 420 looking to raise score dramatically! 06 Nov 2011, 10:10
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My most recent diagnostic (from this past summer) was still a 420 Q14 V31....

obviously I'm pretty bad at math...please advise!! Thank you!
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BM
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Help! 420 looking to raise score dramatically! 06 Nov 2011, 22:49
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We first need to identify some solid guidebooks. For math, this includes the Manhattan series. For verbal, go with the Manhattan SC guide and the Powerscore CR Bible. Another essential item includes the OG series for question practice.

Something still seems off here, however. I suspect that a major obstacle is lack of time or consistency in your preparation. Simply put, that needs to change immediately. Try to commit to a few hours each day and go overtime on the weekends.

Most of your efforts, at least for now, need to focus on math. Along with the Manhattan books, practice with the OG questions for each topic. The guidebooks list OG questions that correspond to each chapter, so do those to let the concepts sink in. And don't worry if you already completed the OG; just do it again. I would also advise you to skip the end-of-chapter questions in the Manhattan books. Those review questions will only frustrate you and consume too much time.

For verbal, just read the guidebooks mentioned above for now. Both books contain decent practice questions already, so just do those. You can attempt the OG later.

And keep a (simple) error log. Just note which questions you answer incorrectly, the question type, and the reason why (time, math error, confused, etc.). Revisit those questions later in the day and again the next day.
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Help! 420 looking to raise score dramatically! 07 Nov 2011, 11:55
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the key to math, well actually the gmat itself is to have a strong foundation and sense of identifying patterns.

The Manhattan Math guides help you really get up to speed (particularly the number properties). I would suggest that you flip through a couple of these at your local library and quickly do questions 3, 8 and 12 at the end of each chapter. If you solve them correctly, then I would briefly skim the chapter to find any tricks you don't know about. If you solve them incorrectly, then I would sit down and know that chapter backwards and forwards. It won't take you long and most books can be covered within a couple of days (be sure to make flash cards though because memorizing all of the rules may take you upwards of 3 weeks)
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