How to Improve from V25 to V35

Question

Hi everybody, i took GMAT 15 days ago with a score of 550 (Q41, V25).
I prepared for 3 months and completed MGMAT books and OG before exams.

Mistakes i did during first 1.5 months of preparation :
- I jumped directly to OG questions without a good foundation, especially in verbal since i was sure of basic math concepts.
Later i realised my mistake and finished the MGMAT books (including SC, CR and RC thoroughly)

And then i saw a good improvement in SC and RC questions. But i really struggled to get all the Medium - Hard questions right.
Before 15 days of exam GMAT prep showed up 600 score (Q48,V28), and since i was getting frustrated with length of preparation i booked the exam. 
During the last 15 days i prepared hard for verbal and left out Quant (In which i was getting Q47 on an average). This led to much more diaster as i dropped down in Quants from 47 to 41.
Before 2 days of exam i took MGMAT and it showed up 540 (Q39, V25). I was completly lost in Quants too (especially in DS). Hoping for a good luck i took the exam which finally showed up 550.

Now i have decided to prepare and take up the exam again in some 2 months so that i could apply for next year's programs.
All i need is a score of atleast 650 or above.
I want help in getting strategies right for verbal to improve to V35 from V25 and some tips in Quants.I am a non-native speaker.
Do i need to attend any online courses ? How should be my approach to exam now since i have exhausted OG and Mgmat books.
I am working for an Indian IT company and i can find 4 to 5 hours for preparation in every week days and can find time for preparation full weekend.
I am very desparate to give the exam again and get admission next year.
Please help.

RichEconomistGMAT · Answer

Hi gk3391, We helped someone in a similar position on our blog recently. You can check out those tips here: https://bit.ly/1GgnNB3. Happy to elaborate further if you'd like. Best of luck, Rich

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

HI gk3391,

From what you describe, you took a 'book-heavy' self-study approach; many Test Takers get 'stuck' at a particular scoring level with that type of approach (and it's likely that this is what has happened to you).

Thankfully, your score goal is reasonable, and 2 months of additional study time should be plenty of time for you to raise your scores. Using your Official Score as a 'baseline', you have the opportunity to pick up points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections (and you won't necessarily need a V35+ to score 650+ overall).

I have a few questions about your studies so far and about Test Day:

1) When you took your CATs, did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) On Test Day, did you have trouble finishing any of the sections on time (did you have to guess on a bunch of questions just to finish?)?

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

KarishmaB · Answer

Ignoring Quant was a mistake. I suggest people to take a two day break before the test but still revise the formulas/log on the morning of test day. It helps one get in the zone quickly. That said, there are probably conceptual gaps too. Did you get the enhanced report? What does it say if you did? If you didn't, go back to your last practice test and shortlist the areas in which you need extra effort. Work on them from a GMAT curriculum and also check out our blog for advanced discussions on these topics: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/category/gmat/

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