Hello everyone,
I am in a miserable situation. I have written my GMAT twice now.
First time: studied 2 weeks and just reviewed basics and wanted to get the "feel" of the test. Score: 520 (Q35 V27). I didn't expect to do super studying 2 weeks.
Second time: Put my FULL heart into it. Studied for 3 months, went through every
Manhattan GMAT guide. I was scoring 600+ on Kaplan and Manhattan CATs. And generally I was feeling much better as I had gone through and understood strongest material in the industry (Manhattan's guides). I just felt I knew so much more and I knew the concepts, not just tips or shortcuts. Like some books I used told me to Pick Numbers for Odd/Even, while using Manhattan's NP, I learned to master the content. I could do tough Odd/Even, +/- questions in 1 minute. Anyways, after all the work, I felt good but my score? 540 (Q41 V23). I was shocked!! Days following test I felt it was a bad dream and I have yet to write the GMAT. Horrible feeling!
The worst thing was that AFTER studying so much and I spent good amount of time on Verbal, my Verbal score went down from when I didn't study that much? How ridiculous is that? Now, I wasn't hoping a 700, I would be okay with 620 (I know some people here start higher than 620). I did have trouble with SC, but I was good in CR and RC.
Maybe I am not a good test taker? I have done 80+ in University while holding a part time job and volunteer work, so its not like I'm stupid, lol. Maybe I just get nervous when it comes down to ONE TEST that will matter a lot in admissions.
Well now the deadline of some of the schools I applied to is gone (or will be soon) - but I do have a shot at 1 school. And I need to get 620 for that school (though 650 would be very good!)
So, I need help - some major major help!
This is the list of material I used:
1.
Manhattan GMAT guides (All 8 of them)
2. OG 12, 1st edition OG-V and OG-Q
3. PowerScore CR (though I used Manhattan's more and found it more helpful)
4. Kaplan QuizBank (helpful in creating quizzes in specific area. So I would do 37 NP in 75 mins, then 37 CR in 75 mins). But this has expired now.
I also bought online version OG Companion from Manhattan. My test was coming close, so I only used it for 3-4 days, found it very helpful! (You can tell I'm a Manhattan fan)
My new plan:
I plan to write the test in mid-July. So I have 6-7 weeks. I am a recent graduate and I don't have a job, so I have all the time in the world right now and hoping to spend whatever it takes on the GMAT (though I have spent endless hours!)
I am planning to follow Manhattan's GMAT's self-guided syllabus (
https://manhattangmat.com/Bigfiles/Cours ... _05_15.pdf). Should I get their regular Self-guided Prep program? I already have the material, so it should be cheaper for me. I am not sure if I can afford Prep Plus right now.
I know this is a 10 week plan, but I am hoping to get it done in 6 weeks as I have gone through most of the material and have a ton of time.
I am going to spend 65% of my time on Verbal this time and 35% on Quant. I still want to improve my quant, hopefully from 41 to 45, but Verbal is what I need to really work on! My SC was bad, I am hoping to go through MG SC several times and doing problems everyday.
Can someone give me insight on my new plan?