Stuggling in the GMAT

Question

Hi All,

Long Time Reader, First Time Poster.

I started studying for the GMAT at the start of 2020 and gave my first attempt in the latter half of 2020, scoring a 540.

Since then, I started taking classes from January 2021 since self-study was getting me nowhere; however, my score doesn't seem to be improving much. Here are my scores so far:

GMAT Practice Exam 3 - 610 (Q40, V34); 6 questions left over for Quant and 5 Questions for Verbal.
Gmat Practice Exam 4 - 620 (Q49, V25); Completed Quant Section and 6 Questions lefts over for Verbal
Gmat Practice Exam 5 - 610 (Q46, V28); 3 questions left for Quant and 8 Questions for Verbal

P.S I'm not posting my scores for Exam 1 and Exam 2 since I've attempted it multiple times, leading to inflated scores.

Moreover, in GMAT Practice Exam 5 (which I attempted today), I had 3 questions left for Quant and 8 Questions for Verbal.

My aim is to break into the 700 but judging by my scores, I'm not even able to break 650 at the moment.

Furthermore, I've finished 2 OG Books and I'm also almost finished with my 3rd. Generally, there are a lot of verbal questions that are being repeated so maybe that's why I'm not struggling during practice?

Any recommendations and advice on how I can pull up my verbal score? It is really draining me out now since I've been on the GMAT journey longer than I would've liked to be. I want to get the exam out of the way in the next 2 weeks max because I feel I know the material and that is not where I'm lacking.

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  Shariqd . Your query sounds like one that can best be addressed by whomever you have decided to work with in these "classes." Any tutor or prep company worth its salt will want to help you reach your goals, even if some do a better job than others. Rather than go from test to test or book to book looking for answers or simply hoping that completing more questions will make you better at the task, you will want to take a deep dive into the material to see if you can pinpoint what you are missing and why. Track those errors and, if possible, track the questions you may have guessed on and still gotten correct or those that, once again, you may have answered correctly but only after spending a lot of time. This sort of review process may not be the most fun (at least, for many people), but it is the best way to make significant progress if you are stalled.

Setting target scores is fine, but be ready to do what it takes to achieve them. For now, perhaps a 650 should be your next benchmark. Review with or without the help of someone else, then see if you can take what you have learned and apply such knowledge to new questions. Once you have crossed 650, shoot for 700. Appreciate that for just about everybody, the process of climbing the ladder goes one rung at a time.

Good luck with your studies.

- Andrew

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi  Shariqd

We understand your situation. We have come across candidates who are struggling with a stuck score. Once they start analyzing the error patterns and take due steps to cover up the open ends, the score is gradually improved.
We would suggest you to observe the pattern of errors. Ask yourself,are these errors caused due to lack of focus on the inputs of the question?
Are these errors caused because I could not break down the question stem?
Or are these errors caused because I go blank and Iam unable to figure out a right pathway under 2min to solve the logical question?
In that case,you may want to rethink, am I straightaway analyzing my errors by looking through the solutions? We strongly recommend you to practice the questions and solve them yourself by brainstorming even if it takes good time.
Also we suggest you to have a clear study plan and a diligent execution of the same.

A few pointers here may help you in the process:

(a)Start completing your course at the earliest. Start “effective” studying daily,and increase your “effective” study time at the earliest.

(b)Understand the concept and build up on the understanding by practicing question(s) from it.

(c) Taking mock test in preparing through them is non-negotiable
 
(d)Use QR and VR as a source supplement to practice questions.Analyze your errors.

(e) Think and arrive at the solution “yourself “

(f)Analyse the errors from OG and make sure you would NOT repeat them when you 
encounter such “type” of questions again

(g) Have a schedule ready and execute it well.

(h)Revision once in 7 days cannot be skipped to full-proof your Prep.

(i) A healthy, positive attitude while you prepare.

(j)Reach out to us irrespective of how small or insignificant you feel a query to be.

Further summarizing this :

Clarity on Basics + Questions from OG +OG Error Analysis + QR/VR and the error analysis + Mock Tests + Revision

will give a complete preparation and make you exam ready. Also incorporate breaks necessary.
 
Negotiating with any of these pillars will keep the loop open.

We hope you have understood the raw necessities for a full proof GMAT prep with this document. 
However, there always lies a scope of improvement. 
Feel free to reach out to us. 
We cannot wait to see you taking admission in your dream B-School!!

Crackverbal Academics

Shariqd · Answer

Hello CrackVerbal,

Thanks for your advice on how I can pull up my verbal score.

Could you please suggest mock tests that I could do? I've used up my GMATprep and Manhattan Tests already - I'm looking for mock tests that closely resemble the actual GMAT verbal. Thanks.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Just practicing with OG questions won't get you that far in verbal. You need to learn concepts and then analyze many verbal questions very carefully.

I wrote this post for people who could use some ideas on how to improve their GMAT verbal scores.

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

Shariqd · Answer

Thanks a lot Marty! Let me give it a read - I'll get in touch if I have any questions. Cheers!

SalahT · Answer

Since you are sure that you are not lacking material. 
 1.  Improve your strategy  (how do you approach? are you picking the fastest / efficient strategy for a particular question?)
 2.Improve your timing  (consult your error log. See which type of question takes the most time. Focus improvement effort on those areas. Otherwise black list them. Later in exam just guess and move on. Its better to attempt all question than solving a lengthy one.)

You can try GMAT Club CAT. it has 9 verbal and Quant 25 CAT. Unarguably one of the best CATs out there.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Shariqd,

Most GMAT questions are written so that they can be approached in more than one way - meaning that just because you correctly answer a question does not necessarily mean that you are doing so in the most efficient fashion. Based on the pacing issues that you have described, "your way" of approaching many of the questions you face on your CATs is the "long way." You do NOT need to be a 'fast' reader to get through each section and answer all of the questions, but you cannot afford to read each prompt over-and-over again (and that is likely one of the issues impacting your pacing right now). Based on your current CAT/mock Scores, you will almost certainly need MORE than 2 weeks of additional study time before you can get to the point that you can consistently score 700+. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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:

1) What type of study routine have you been following in 2021? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) In 2021, 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)?
4) 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

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