HELP:: Q45 to Q50

Question

Hello everyone. I have been consistently scoring Q43-45 and I really need to get to Q50 in the next one month. I have created an error log and I realised I need a lot more practice in algebra, number properties (speed wise), etc. However I am very weak at probability and permutations and combinations (accuracy and speed). Should I concentrate on P&C and probability or should I focus on 100% accuracy on topics like algebra, number systems etc. to reach my target Q50? Thanks in advance!!

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Posted from my mobile device

logro · Answer

Hey - Just signup for a TTP (they have a 5-day free trail). You can definitely close in on any shortcomings in your concepts

Post that you can leverage the Gmatclub tests as their quant tests are slightly on the tougher side

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Targetscore710,

Since you are currently around 7 points off your score goal, I have a feeling that you have more weak areas than you actually realize. With that in mind, I would cast a "wide net" and practice topics across the board (rather than just the ones you mentioned), so you can ensure that you find and fix all of your weak areas. If you'd like more specific advice on how to improve your quant skills, feel free to reach out. Lastly, here is a helpful article:

How To Increase Your GMAT Quant Score

jhavyom · Answer

Hello  Targetscore710 
You can expect 2 to 4 questions in PnC and Probability combined. Make sure you have basics in place so that you do not make mistake in 500 and 600 level questions. You can get Q50/Q51 even by attempting 2-4 questions incorrect. But those questions should be of 700 level, not of 500 and 600 level. For getting Q50, you should have 100% accuracy in 500 and 600 level questions.
From your score (Q43-Q45), one can make out that you are making mistakes in 4 to 6 500 and 600 level questions. Spot your weak areas and work on those.

You can not achieve Q50 if you make more than 2-3 500 level questions incorrect.  Practice P&C and probability enough to get all 500 and 600 level questions right. Divide your time so that you have basics of all chapters in place. Dedicate most of the time to the remaining chapters which carry higher weightage than P&C and probability such as Number system, Inequalities, Geometry etc.

Subscribe to GMATCLUB tests and attempt one quant test per day and analyze your mistakes. You will definitely reach Q50/Q51

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Isolating your weak areas and figuring out the "easy way" to solve a Quant question may help. A q50 is a high score - consider asking yourself whether a Q49 would be acceptable, too.

All the best!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Targetscore710,

Probability, Permutations and Combinations are relatively rare subjects on the GMAT (you will likely see just 1 question from each on Test Day). Thus, even if you are having issues with those subjects, they are NOT the primary reason why you're scoring in the Q43-Q45 range right now.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) What is your specific Test Date? Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Targetscore710 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  - Hi, thank you for your response!

I have taken only two full fledged mocks (Practice exam 1 and 2) so far. Apart from that I have given a few CATs here and there. However, I have noticed that my accuracy is at 55% (roughly around 16-17 questions out of 31) only. When I classify my error logs these are the following mistakes I make:

1. Ratio, proportion, arithmetic, Algebra etc - Calculation error/silly mistakes that can be avoided (4-5 questions in this category)
2. Weak areas - Co-ordinate geometry, Sequence and series, Probability, and Permutation, Combination (6-7 questions)
3. Data sufficiency problems - Number properties and Algebra/inequalities, where I understand the concept once I see the answer but I make errors when I approach this on my own. (4-5 questions)

Out of the aforesaid problem areas, I am working on Number (1) to improve my speed:accuracy ratio to ensure I invest enough time in the initial questions especially. I noticed making these avoidable errors in the first 10-12 questions itself.

For number (3), I understand that I need to solve a lot more problems to get the accuracy right, but I am not 100% confident if I CAN crack it accuracy wise.

Number (2) I consider as my nemesis and something I would ignore if I can to get to Q50 (I understand I can't hence I am stuck).

Now to answer your questions:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?  I have been studying for roughly a month now and I just enrolled for an online pre-recorded class. I can devote about 4-5 hours a day on the weekdays and 8-10 hours a day on the weekend for the next one month  
2) What study materials have you used so far?  Have used only the OG to study so far 
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? I gave my first GMAT practice exam (without) any prep 2 months back and scored a 500 (Q32 and V27) and later I gave the same exam last week and scored a 640 (Q45 and V33). I don't remember my practice exam 2 scores but it was around the same range. I gave all these exams within the same month of prep.

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?  My college requires a cut-off of 75% in both sections and that would be Q50 (Since Q49 is only 74%) and V35. I am confident that I can get to a V35 but however, I am completely unsure of Quant since the cut off is really high (I have written to the college and they have confirmed that there will be no relaxations)My goal score would be 710 (Q50 V37)  
5) What is your specific Test Date? Are you planning to take the At-home GMAT or are you planning to take your GMAT at a Test Facility?  I am planning to take the At-home GMAT exam around December 1st week (Maybe 6th or 7th) and I have a deadline to take it before 31 December 2020. 
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?  I am planning to apply for the 2021-23 batch in India (Mostly SPJ and ISB)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Targetscore710,

To start, while the most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are). Thankfully, the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT and Veritas are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they will provide you with a relatively realistic score assessment (assuming that you correctly take the CAT in a realistic fashion that matches the parameters that you will face when you take the Official GMAT) - so you can use any NEW CATs from any of those sources next.

In addition, the 'format' of the At-home GMAT Test is "fixed" (Quant, then Verbal - with no break in-between, then an optional 5-minute break, then IR). Having to take Quant and Verbal in one sitting is challenging for most Test Takers (especially if you've been taking your CATs/mocks with an 8-minute break between sections). If you want to take the At-home GMAT, then you will have to be really rigorous about how you take your CATs going forward (and take them in the exact same fashion in which you will have to take the At-home GMAT).

From what you describe, it's not clear if you have ever taken a NEW CAT in the At-home format, so I suggest that you plan to take one soon (perhaps this weekend). Once you have that Score, you should post back here and we can discuss the results and how you might adjust your studies going forward.

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

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Targetscore710,

It's good that you have identified your weak areas. You are right that you have to work on your weak areas but practicing more questions of that topic is definitely not the right way to do. There is a certain methodology you have to follow to solve the question types tested on GMAT. So, it's the methodology on which you have to work on. Once you get comfortable with the concepts and the methodology, you can solve the question types of that particular topic with ease.

And do not worry about speed that is the time constraint during your initial stages of learning. While learning the right methodology, it's ok to take a little more than the optimum time to solve questions. The focus has to be on learning the method and getting the answer right. Once you practice a few questions with the right method, you can start taking timed quizzes to get used to the test environment.

Having said that, I suggest you to  not to neglect any topic . It's always recommended to be good with all the topics because you will likely get questions questions from all the topics. So, if you are weak in P&C,  go through the concepts once again, understand how to solve questions and then practice a few questions . And make sure you do the same with other weak areas as well.

You can go through the below webinar to understand a bit about P&C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA67Z3GicdM

Having said that, as you wish to improve your score to Q50 in a month's time,  you would need a solid study plan  to do that. You need to rightly organize the concepts on which you have to work.  To suggest you the right study plan, I would need a few more details.  It would be great if we can get in touch over a call and discuss the same. That way we can quickly narrow down things and make a study plan for the coming month. So, if you wish to connect over a call, you can do so using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

YASH750 · Answer

Q45 to Q49-50-51 is basically eliminating all the silly mistakes . Essentially the concepts are the same an the level of application also remains the same , but the 'alertness' as a factor plays a significant role in boosting your score further. This is again my observation. also time management . You should be left with about 2-5 mins when you finish the section, if this isn't the case then you are definitely lagging on time too.

Hope this helps

Hope this helps

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