Stuck after two CAT's

Question

Hey guys, New here to this forum, it looks like there is an abundance of information here - easy to get lost

After three weeks of studying the 2016 OG and MGMAT guides I decided to take a full-length practice exam to see where I stand. I scored 710 for the GMATPrep and 690 for the MGMAT practice exam. My initial goal was to score around 700 (I have the gmat planned on the 25th of July - so plenty of time left) -> I might want to adjust this goal to 720 in order to keep my motivation up. I took a decent look at my mistakes (wrote them down in an error log, as many advised on this forum), and know which areas to focus on (integers and algebra in Quant, SC in verbal). But due to the great amount of information online I am sort of lost how to proceed. If someone has an idea on how to structure my upcoming weeks in an efficient way, please let me know! Thanks a lot, soren

HanoiGMATtutor · Answer

Approximately how much time per day can you dedicate to studying?

For all 3 weakness areas that you have identified from your 2 practice exams, the Manhattan GMAT books are an excellent guide. But also make sure you don't let loose on the other areas either. You may not have practiced enough to identify all areas that need improvement.

GMATPill · Answer

Hi sorenkeirkegaard,

Allow the last few days prior to your exam to take full-length practice tests once again and allow time to review mistakes.

Since you are very close to your goal, a lightly structured study plan should be fine. Focus on your problem areas with dedicated time allocations to these areas-- then focus on mixing questions up. Finally do a final practice test. Anything more complicated at this stage may do more harm than good at this point.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Soren,

If you've really been studying for just 3 weeks, then these score results are fantastic (and you could very easily have scored 720+ if you had eliminated the little mistakes from your work). I'd like to know a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

When you took your CATs:
1) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on each CAT?
2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Did you take them at home?
4) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
5) 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.)?

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

sorenkierkegaard · Answer

Thanks for the fast replies guys!

Rich, to answer your questions;
for the GMATPrep I had quant slightly better than verbal, can't remember the scores.
For the Mgmat CAT I scored bad on quant, 44, and ok for verbal, score 39.
I did the practice tests at home at the same time of day as my planned test, with earplugs in and no breaks. As close to exam-settings as I could get, although I skipped the AW part (scored 8 out of 12 on the IR part). I will include the AW on my next practice exams.

I have to do a gmat to get selected to a graduate program at the Stockholm School of Economics, in Sweden.
The bar is 650 but scores average around 700 so I reckon it would be good for me to be slightly above that.

Thanks for the help!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Soren,

By skipping the Essay portion of these two CATs, you took a shorter Exam that required less energy and effort, so this score result is likely a bit 'inflated.' With your future CATs, you really should do your best to make each CAT 'match up' with Test Day in as many ways as is reasonably possible (so take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, away from your home, with the two 8-minute breaks, etc.). After you take your next CAT, you should report back here with your score result.

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

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