Improving GMAT Score by 240 points in 2.5 months?

Question

Hi everyone,

I recently took a mock ice cold (didn’t look at anything) and got a 460 (V27, Q26, IR 8), and took an official GMAT exam (V23, Q29, IR 5) to meet the MBA application deadline. For the MBA program I want to get into, they require a 90th percentile score on the GMAT (so a 710) for a chance to earn a full scholarship. I am considering leaving my job to study full-time and earn this score. Is this a realistic jump if I study full-time? I tried looking at unpaid leave for my job, and I don't think they offer anything like that unless it's maternity or medical leave, and my team is understaffed as it is. But I will confirm that information with my HR team.

Of course, I want to wait until I know I got admitted to the program before I do anything, but I won’t know by mid-June; by then, it would be too late to start preparing. I need to start ASAP and am on the free trial for Magoosh and TTP. Do you all recommend using TTP or Magoosh to study and meet this timeline? If I don’t get in/get the score I need by then, I can switch gears to finish studying for the CPA full-time before the exam changes next year. Either way, I don’t see myself succeeding in getting the score I want if I stay at my job and study part-time. I would love to get some input from those familiar with the exam.

Businessconquerer · Answer

I always say- GMAT is a pattern based test. If you learn to play the game, there's no reason for you to not get your desired outcome.
This might be of some help-  Verbal strategy . I had also posted some other links within that post for specific strategy. I believe you can get to a 650 from where you're at currently. From 650 to 710 is another 2.5 months. But it isn't unheard of to make that jump if you didn't have a firm strategy to get to 460. Another way to increase your timing and skills is to prepare with LSAT materials on CR & RC- skip vocab questions. We've got it all in GMAT Club question bank!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Welcome to the forum.

This subforum may be helpful to get a sense of how likely/long different score jumps can take

https://gmatclub.com/forum/share-gmat-experience-8/

All the best,

-GmatKnight Instagram

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TAD22.

Increasing your score by over 200 points in 2.5 months will likely be tough, but you may be able to do it if you both use a course and work with a tutor. A good tutor can accelerate the prep process.

bb · Answer

Hi. Welcome to GMAT Club!

200+ points is a big undertaking. Average improvement is about 100-120 points. Getting above 200 means not only studying with purpose but also changing your approach and eking out efficiencies at every step.

What I mean is treating the gmat as an opportunity to make a ton of $$ (which you will as a s scholarship). Also evaluating your performance on a daily basis and adjusting, correcting, reviewing. Being active student who cares about learning and examining every nook and cranny rather than just finishing a chapter.

Finally you will likely have to shift your schedule around and priorities as well as revisit the shortcuts you took in high school or college in math or grammar.

I would not recommend quitting your job. It is not a good idea. You are expected to prep and apply while having a job. You will end up with a gap on your resume and you will have a bit of a hard time with letters of recommendation and will be either at a new job or unemployed while applying. Not great usually for applications.

I would instead encourage you to wake up 2 hrs earlier and spend those two hours studying first thing in the morning.

I would say you will need 3-4 months. 2.5 is tough.

-bb

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TAD22,

Many GMATers are unhappy with their initial practice scores, but you really shouldn't be. That 460 is just a measure of your skills right now - and you'll improve on that result over time as you learn more about the content, Tactics and little 'secrets' of the Exam. That having been said, a 710+ is approximately the 90th percentile - meaning that most GMATers never score that high on the Official Exam. The type of results that you are interested in will almost certainly require that you commit to at least 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant 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. Quitting your job and trying to 'cram' your studies will likely not lead to the result that you are looking for though.

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 specific Programs are you planning to apply to and what application deadlines are you facing?
2) If you were to keep your job, then going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

TAD22 · Answer

Hello,

Thanks! These links are helpful. I bought TTP today, and was studying quant essentials. I'm learning the strategies behind the GMAT that will save me time when taking the break exam. Would you say it is possible to make a 710 within 3 months of part-time study? (20 hours per week x 12 weeks= 240 hours?) Part of the reason I am considering leaving my job is to increase my study time, but I am noticing that today I get tired when I reach 4 hours of study time, so the GMAT is a test of endurance.

TTP is making quant seem very doable, I am having a easy time understanding the essentials. But since TTP is so thorough, I am worried I won't be able to finish the entire course before the 3 months are over. I was saying 2.5 months in my original post because that is the earliest I can leave my job, but I have been studying starting from yesterday.

TAD22 · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for this! I was seeing that someone went from a 510 to a 690 in 4 months of study, so posts like that are inspiring. I have a lot of respect for this community.

TAD22 · Answer

Hello,

Thank you for the input! Does TTP have tutors for students taking the GMAT? Where would be the best place to find a tutor that could help me in my journey?

TAD22 · Answer

Hello,

Thanks for the warm welcome! I am happy I found this community. I agree I need to be efficient in my study time, especially since I am working full-time for about 45 hours a week. As you said, the GMAT is my chance to minimize my debt from the program, so I want to give it my best shot. TTP is helping me refresh strategies I learned for math in high school and college, and it is a great platform. I will work on the verbal section sometime this week, although, my alma mater places more weight on the quant section when making scholarship and admission decisions.

I should clarify that I already applied for my alma mater's MBA program. I sent my GMAT score from above. But I want to my GMAT two more times. Once before mid-June, when admission decisions are released, and once again closer to August, as that is the cutoff to resubmit your GMAT score. I started studying yesterday, the cutoff deadline for resubmitting is exactly 3 months from now. I mentioned 2.5 months in my post, the earliest I may study full-time. If I continue studying the way I am right now, I will have 3 months of part-time study.

I can set aside about 15-17 hours per week to study, so at least 180 hours total, assuming I stay in my job. But I feel like I will need more study time than that to earn a 710. I can study about 50-60 hours a week if I leave my job. I can make it my main focus. But the risk there is if I do not get in this year, I will have to finish studying for the GMAT full-time, then study for the CPA before finding new work, and I don't see myself finishing both until year-end (so 7 months?) But the CPA is highly revered, and as I am working at a F500 right now, I do not doubt I may secure a job. However, as you said, the employment gap would be concerning for admissions if I do not get into the program this year.

My mock breakdown strengths/weaknesses results include:
Integrated Reasoning: Advanced (I saw some of IR before, so I think based on my actual exam I am at an intermediate level)
Problem Solving: Expert
Data Sufficiency: Basic (weak point, I guessed on most of these, but I am learning the strategy behind it)
Reading Comprehension: Intermediate
Critical Reasoning: Advanced
Sentence Correction: Basic (another weak point, I missed a lot of points here)

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Yes, TTP has very good GMAT tutors.

You can reach them through this page.

Target Test Prep Private GMAT Tutoring

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

HI TAD22,

I see you are giving TTP a shot. If you need any additional advice, feel free to reach out to us on live chat.

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