No score improvement

Question

Dear All,

Please note that I started my GMAT preparation with an official mock score of Q49 & V22. However, now after a few months, I took the following mocks
a) London business School Gmat Mock - Q42 & V30
b) MGMAT Mock 1 - Q45 & V30. ( 80% of questions were of the level 700-800)

My exam is scheduled for 14 February 2021.

Can anyone guide me on my strategy further as I plan on going by Brute force that is practicing all Official questions on GMAT club forum as I have exhausted 3 Official Mocks and Completed E-Gmat Verbal course and Manhattan books as well given that I believe that I am lacking in Speed and application of learnt concepts.

Your insights would be helpful for me.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, but 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).

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, 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 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) 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

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Focus on Verbal (but do not let your Quant skills Rust)

aashigarg · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

Since you have not been taking CATs/mocks at regular intervals, it's tough to say what your actual 'ability level' is right now (although there is a reasonable chance that it's in the low-600s to mid-600s). Since it's been 2 weeks since you took your last CAT, I suggest that you take a NEW CAT sometime soon (and you might consider taking one of the Official GMAC CATs from www.mba.com). Make sure to take it in a realistic fashion that matches-up with what you will face when you take the Official GMAT (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, if you will be at a Test Facility, then wear a face mask, etc.). Once you have that Score, you should post back here (or you can feel free to PM me directly) and we can discuss the results and how you might best proceed with your studies.

Statistically-speaking, raising a low-600s Score to the point that you can consistently score 700+ will likely require at least another 1 - 1.5 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll likely have to make improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. With a December 29th Test Date, you only have about 3 weeks of study time though, so you might want to consider pushing back your Test Date.

1) What are the exact application deadlines that you are facing in January?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

I think it would be better if you take another official mock and see where you stand. Because the official mocks are the ones which reflect the GMAT algorithm in the best way. I would suggest you to stick with the official mocks. Do reach out to me using the below link if there's a huge discrepancy in the score. And if you need any help with verbal, I can help you with that as well.

Click here to schedule a call

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

Are you able to take an official GMAC practice exam ASAP and report back with your score breakdown?

aashigarg · Answer

Hi,

I will report the mock score by weekend given that I am working 50+ Hours a week.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Sounds good. I'm here if you need me.

aashigarg · Answer

Hi All,

I recently took Official Mock Test 2 and got the following score
a) Q48
b) V28

Please note that 13 questions were incorrect in quant out of which 5 were guess marked towards the end due to less time and questions were related to geometry Pnc Statistics - which are not my strong point.

In verbal 10 questions were incorrect with the most being wrong for sentence correction.

My exam is due on 29 December. I would appreciate all the suggestions that you have to offer.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

This result is not too surprising - and it matches up with what we have discussed so far: your current 'ability-level' is likely in the low-600s. With just 2 weeks before December 29th, the type of score improvement that you are looking for in such a short timeframe is too difficult to be considered realistic. While there's no harm in taking the GMAT on December 29th, if you are going to keep studying until you score 700+, then you could save some time, money and frustration by pushing back your Test Date. With another 1.5 months and the proper consistent, guided Study Plan, you should be able to score considerably higher than you did on this latest CAT.

1) In one of your earlier posts, you mentioned that you were planning to apply in September, 2021 and January, 2021. Did you actually mean January, 2022?
2) Assuming another 1.5 months of study going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

aashigarg · Answer

Thanks for your review.

I can study for 60+ Hours each week given that I am not working for the next two weeks. I meant January 21 only because there are certain colleges to which I am looking forward to applying in Jan 2021.

What do you suggest should be my guided study plan going forward?

Best Regards,

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  aashigarg , there are only  two weeks  left for your exam. Suggestions on any considerable improvement, generally need  more time  than that, to work.

Hence, given the time constraint, I would not suggest that you try something new/radical. Try to go thru as many official SC questions as possible, and also go thru the explanation given by experts for those questions (even for questions that you get correct). Try to absorb the knowledge, by making notes on the new things you learn, and revise them.

aashigarg · Answer

Thank you Ashish

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aashigarg,

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes and questions.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Since SC seems to be an issue for you, here if a helpful article:

GMAT Sentence Correction: 8 Essential Tips

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

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