Last 2 Weeks GMAT Prep Advice Needed

Question

Hi All,

I took a GMAT Prep test 1 retake and got 690 (Q49 , V35).

My previous scores are:

GMAT Prep 1 --> 660 (Q47 , V34)  
GMAT Prep 2 --> 680 (Q48 , V35)

My Gmat Exam is scheduled on May 15th (13 days to go).

Have found some weaknesses in Quants and Verbal. (13 incorrect in Quants & 15 incorrect in Verbal). 5 incorrect in RC, CR & SC each.

Top 3 Weakness in Verbal:
1. Parallelism 
2. Comparison
3. Evaluate the argument.

Top 3 weakness in Quants:
1. Rate & Work
2. Number line
3. Min/ Max .

Should I work on these weaknesses separately or start doing the Everything Official questions collection set to get accustomed to gmat type questions.

What should be my study plan from here to acheive 740+ in GMAT?

Thanks,
Ram.

zero722 · Answer

is good that you realized the area you need to improve on but consider your timeline you might not have too much time. If i was you one the last week I would just review the questions I get wrong and remember not to make the same mistake and get my body and mind use to test environment and do a couple of full length practice tests.

Good luck!

Good luck!

Ramkrn · Answer

Hi zero722,

Thanks for your suggestions.

I have been working for the last couple of days on my particular weaknessess that I mentioned earlier and I am pretty confident in those areas now.

From today on will be taking 4 full length CAT's with AWA and IR section on alternate days (8 days from now). Last two days before test planned only for error reviews and mental relaxation.

Will review the test on the same day and then the next day will work on GMAT offcial questions to get GMAT ear & pattern recognition.

Also working on keeping my mind relaxed & not to obsess about the final score.

Hoping to achieve my target score..!!

Thanks,
Ram.

Thanks, Ram.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Ram,

Taking 4 FULL CATs in 8 days is NOT a good idea. You're far more likely to hit the same general score (+- a few points) and 'burn out' a bit before your Official GMAT than see a huge improvement. If you want to take 1 more CAT during this last week, then that's okay, but you should do it sooner rather than later. The rest of your time should be spent on a reasonable amount of additional practice and review of your past work. NO CRAMMING. The bulk of the missing points that you're looking for are going to be found in the Verbal section, so putting a bit more focus in that area would probably help.

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

Ramkrn · Answer

Hi Rich,

Ya I took one CAT yesterday and felt tired. Took almost half of yesterday and half of today to analyse the mistakes.

As you have suggested I am going take one or two more CAT on just to built stamina.

The Veritas Prep Videos on Apple Store which I came across by chance is really great and I am focusing mainly on Verbal part as I feel I have hit a Plateau of V35.

I am also working on GMAT Official question collection to break V35 plateau.

I have the following 3 questions:

1. I can utilize the full day for practice.How many official questions (from GMAT Prep collection) per question type (DS, PS, CR , SC & RC) should I really do and analyse per day? ----> The main aim here for me is to do as many official questions before exam and should also feel fresh on the D day.

2. Will taking sectional timed test help me in Quant to refresh topics and stay in touch? If not how to be in touch with PS & DS section (Considering that I will be working more on verbal part than quants.)

3. Will Sligtly changing my approach to CR questions benefit me in this stage?

4. Have taken GMAT Prep 1 twice and GMAT Prep 2 once earlier. Will take GMAT Prep 2 this week. Should I take GMAT Prep 1 again or some other CAT for practice?
  
Thanks for taking interest on my prep & eagerly waiting for your valuable suggestions.

Ram.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Ram,

You could take 1 more CAT before Test Day, but I wouldn't recommend that you do any more than that. The fatigue that you felt after yesterday's CAT is NOT something that you want to have happen on Test Day, so you should not try to do that much work over this last week. Retaking a CAT that you've already used is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills.

There's no "magic" number of questions that you should be doing at this point. To push your score to a 740+, the bigger issue is your "precision" (how accurate is your work and are you still making little mistakes or "missing" key pieces of information/logic when dealing with a question). You can decide how many questions you choose to do, but the emphasis should be on making 0 silly/little mistakes.

While taking a timed Quant or Verbal section is fine, since you would be taking the section "out of context" (not doing the Essay and IR first), then the experience couldn't be considered 'realistic' nor 'test-like.' It would be decent practice, but the score result would likely be a bit 'inflated.'

Making some slight changes to how you deal with the entire Verbal section could make a big difference in how you score. The challenge is that you've already developed a series of habits for dealing with the Verbal section and you're likely not going to change those habits in 6 days. A good general bit of advice for CR and RC is that taking notes will help with your accuracy AND speed.

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

Ramkrn · Answer

Thanks Rich for answering my questions. It really feels good when someone with great experience gives crutial insight at crucial junctions.

Okay will limit to one CAT test to avoid unnecessary fatigue. Will try notes taking in CR and RC during practice.

I will practice in the coming days and will find my "magic" number that is effective for me.

Will post after taking the GMAT.

Thanks,
Ram.

Thanks, Ram.

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