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18 Apr 2016, 07:26
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Hi!
I started studying for the GMAT about 1 month ago (with the Manhattan books and the OG). I took my first CAT (GMATPrep) on March 31st and only scored a 510 (Q36/V23). I finished it more than one hour too early (I've always been a very fast student). On April 8th, I took another GMATPrep test and scored a 570 (Q46/V23). Still very poor. On April 15th I tried a MGMAT CAT and only scored 520 (Q37/V25). I was really devasteted and took another GMATPrep CAT on April 16th, where I again scored a 570 (Q39/V28). Today I took another GMATPrep where I scored a 630 (Q47/V30). On each one, I finished more than 30 minutes early.
I want to take the test latest in June and my goal is 700+. Do you think there is a realistic chance? Do you think it would be better to engage a Manhattan Tutor?
Thanks in advance
I started studying for the GMAT about 1 month ago (with the Manhattan books and the OG). I took my first CAT (GMATPrep) on March 31st and only scored a 510 (Q36/V23). I finished it more than one hour too early (I've always been a very fast student). On April 8th, I took another GMATPrep test and scored a 570 (Q46/V23). Still very poor. On April 15th I tried a MGMAT CAT and only scored 520 (Q37/V25). I was really devasteted and took another GMATPrep CAT on April 16th, where I again scored a 570 (Q39/V28). Today I took another GMATPrep where I scored a 630 (Q47/V30). On each one, I finished more than 30 minutes early.
I want to take the test latest in June and my goal is 700+. Do you think there is a realistic chance? Do you think it would be better to engage a Manhattan Tutor?
Thanks in advance
18 Apr 2016, 10:57
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Hi glatzekatze,
From what you've described, you sound rather 'impatient' about this whole process. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores. During that time, it's important to take FULL-LENGTH CATS (with the Essay and IR sections) at regular intervals (1 FULL CAT every 1-2 weeks). You've taken 3 CATs in 4 DAYS. That was NOT a good idea. It also sounds like you're rushing through each CAT, which is also NOT a good idea. Each CAT is a 'measuring device'; when used correctly, it will give you a reasonable score assessment and point out your strengths and weakness.... but taking CATs won't make you a better Test Taker. The type of improvement that you're looking for comes from learning/practicing Tactics, doing practice problems, reviewing, etc... then you take a CAT to see how well you've improved.
Based on the little information that you've provided, I think that you'll likely need 2 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goals.
1) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
From what you've described, you sound rather 'impatient' about this whole process. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores. During that time, it's important to take FULL-LENGTH CATS (with the Essay and IR sections) at regular intervals (1 FULL CAT every 1-2 weeks). You've taken 3 CATs in 4 DAYS. That was NOT a good idea. It also sounds like you're rushing through each CAT, which is also NOT a good idea. Each CAT is a 'measuring device'; when used correctly, it will give you a reasonable score assessment and point out your strengths and weakness.... but taking CATs won't make you a better Test Taker. The type of improvement that you're looking for comes from learning/practicing Tactics, doing practice problems, reviewing, etc... then you take a CAT to see how well you've improved.
Based on the little information that you've provided, I think that you'll likely need 2 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goals.
1) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
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18 Apr 2016, 16:52
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glatzekatze
It sounds like you're rushing through the test if you're finishing so early! For instance, 600-700 level quant questions take between 1min 20s - 2min 30s to solve on average so finishing an hour early would mean you're not getting these questions likely because you're getting incorrect answers on the 500 level ones. You should be asking why you're getting the 500 level questions wrong as you need to be getting these correct for the system to serve you higher level questions. You should be spending twice as much time reviewing your answers on both quant and verbal sections after taking the CAT to find out where you went wrong and what sections you're weak in.
I would do practice CATs from other sources as well for exposure to more similar questions and also because if you're just using the free GMATPrep CAT they tend to repeat questions after 2 tests which really skews your score higher so if that's the case, your 630 score should be taken with a pinch of salt. I've written about free CATs in my blog post here: https://mbainpursuit.blogspot.co.nz/2015 ... -free.html and you might want to have a look at some tips for tackling the GMAT that I've put together based on my experience studying for it: https://mbainpursuit.blogspot.co.nz/2015 ... r-how.html
Realistically, if you're scoring in the 500s, unless you make significant change to your test taking strategy, 700+ is going to be tough to achieve. I've never used a tutor so I can't comment on whether or not you should engage one. However, if you're still struggling on your own after changing your test-taking strategy, it might be a good idea.
Good luck!
