My Main Problem (VERBAL THOU ART A HEARTLESS *complain*)

Question

I am very comfortably able to score 35+ on verbal of any mock. But for some reason my verbal performance on the GMAT exam falls below 30. When I say 35+ I mean even going as high as 41-42 (might not be high by some measures but it could mean the difference between my dream). I do not know what I am doing wrong. I will admit that when I am sitting to give the exam, I find myself going blank. I read a sentence as simple as “JOE IS A HARDWORKER. JOE HAS 4 DAUGHTERS AND HIS OLDEST IS ALREADY MARRIED” and not make any sense of it and have to go over it again and again and again for it to make sense (but the good thing is that when I make sense of it, I will not need to do that again. It is like pushing a car, once you get over the initial momentum, it almost goes on without much effort). I have also noticed that I fall short of time on verbal (and even on quant, but honest not as much as verbal). At one point in my paper I realised that I was about 10min behind than I should be (according to the time marker system). I think that the stress might cause me to take 30 seconds more that I am usually take and that time accumulates. According to my ESR, I absolutely bomb my RC (55-60th percentile), then do decent in CR (65th-70th percentile) and do my best at SC (70th-75th percentile). I do not know if CR or RC can be improved honestly. I feel like it is intrinsic i.e. it is just reading and understanding and then answering. SC is something I think can still be improved. Have not Idea what to do. would really appreciate some help.

MartyMurray · Answer

Hi Akshay.

You can certainly develop your skills in CR and RC and score high on Verbal more consistently.

For some tips on how to do so, see this post.

How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal

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My Main Problem (VERBAL THOU ART A HEARTLESS complain)

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