Suggestions needed for increasing V34 to V40+

Question

Hi,

I gave 3rd attempt yesterdat and scored disappointing 700 (Q50, V34).

GMAT 1 650 (Q49, V27) --> Feb'14
GMAT 2 690 (Q50, V34) --> Dec'14
GMAT 3 700 (Q50, V34) --> Sept'15

3rd attempt experience: 
I got psyched in latest Verbal section in first 5 questions, especially when I encountered CR. Though I was good with OG and GMATPrep CR question accuracy, including difficult ones. But as I saw 9th question as boldface question, I was back to normal. SC and RC were good and I was enjoying solving those questions. For SC I got a weird question having parenthesis in one of the option that seemed right. But overall it was ok. I was confident while solving RC questions as well. But as soon as I hit CR and read the argument I am clueless. Though I have practised pre-thinking and it has worked very well during practice. However, I couldnt apply pre-thinking in the exam as I was feeling time pressure (actually I was not running short of time).

For CR, I have worked on Powerscore CR as well. It seems to work when I am giving practice tests, but it doesnt work when I am giving live exam.

What do you think is the bottle neck here? Should I practice more tests? I havent taken practice test 1 month before this attempt though. I have exhausted 4 GMATPrep tests and Manhattan tests. My accuracy is high, including difficult ones when I am giving practice tests.

Also, quant shouldn't be a problem, I can get Q50 even in my sleep. For quant, real challenge is getting Q51.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi popov,

To stat, both your 690/Q50 and 700/Q50 are outstanding scores (they're both right around the 90th percentile overall), so you can apply to any Business Schools that interest you. Is there a reason why you're considering taking the GMAT again?

Since your last 2 Official GMAT Scores are essentially identical, I wonder if there are 'issues' in how you're approaching the Verbal section that even you do not realize.

Have you considered purchasing the Enhanced Score Report? While those reports don't offer that much additional information, there might be something in there that can help to define the issues that you're dealing with.

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

popov · Answer

Thanks a lot Rich for chiming in. 
I might consider attempting GMAT again as I want to apply in Booth, CBS and Kellogg. Plus, because I am in Indian pool (not IT though) with risk or analytics consulting 6 yrs work ex.

Regarding issues in my approach: Actually even I am not sure where I am making mistake. As I indicated timed practice seems to show good progress. While in exam I falter in Verbal section. The confusion is how to improve now given that I have exhausted OG resources. If I plan to given again then I will have 2.5 months to prepare.

For GMAT 2 I did get ESR report, with SC 41, CR 33, RC 28. I practised lot of RC, so I was sure to get 35+ in RC in Gmat3. However, I will get clear picture in a day or two when I again purchase ESR. This time RC was fairly easy for me as I got science passage and I was able to comprehend them better than ever before.

For SC, I realized that I had to think twice for Comparison questions. So, I have clarity about what and how to improve. For RC again, its all about practice. But not so sure for CR.

KarishmaB · Answer

You must get your Enhanced Score Report. It will tell you whether actually CR was the problem and whether you did see a marked improvement in RC.

I am a little surprised that someone hitting Q50 has issues in CR. CR is quite logical and mathematical - much more objective than SC and RC. 
If you find that CR is the problem, try this: Read the question stem first. It helps to gain the right perspective - what do I need to find from the argument? Is it strengthen/weaken? If yes, I need to find the conclusion. Do I need to evaluate the plan? If yes, I am going to question the plan at every step etc. Check out our verbal blog. Ron has put up posts on how to handle various CR questions. You might find them helpful. 
You can get more official questions from the question pack - no worries about that.

As for Q51, it isn't very different from Q50. The skill required is about the same. On a good day, you could hit Q51 right now. Just keep practicing and focusing on advanced concepts. With time, perhaps, every day will become a good day.

shasadou · Answer

Hi Karishma

powerscore suggests reading question stem first is a waste of time and actualluy distracts one from being focused rather on the arguement which i smore important. If I remeber correcly they say that reading a question stem first makes you biased about the arguement.

I have not figured out really what works better for me. As a side note the powerscore bible is really more comprehensive in terms of assumption concept (defender/supporter) than veritas cr guide.

KarishmaB · Answer

I usually refrain from comparing our curriculum with some other company's because my opinion will be considered biased. Therefore, what I can tell you is this:
Reading the stem first helps many of our students focus on what is required and hence, arrive at the correct answer quickly. I myself like to begin with the goal in mind and hence find this strategy very effective. Of course, there is no one correct/incorrect strategy, therefore some people might find it unsuitable to them - the same is true for all other RC/CR strategies. You need to find what works best for you.

Veritas curriculum filters out the details according to what is required for GMAT CR. I would not want my students fretting over the "kinds of assumptions" when I can make them solve all GMAT assumption questions by following a few basic rules. Our CR book covers all concepts you need to know to solve GMAT CR questions. Too much unnecessary detail is not always a good thing since it often leads to doubt and confusion.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi popov,

While the ESR doesn't provide much information, I would need to see the ENTIRE report before I could offer any suggestions. Are you comfortable posting your ESR here?

While I still think that a retake is probably NOT necessary, have you thought about which Business Schools you'd like to apply to (and when?)?

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

shasadou · Answer

i ve taken the live course with Ravi this june-july, i have realised that assumption concept is not given the attention and emphasis this topic deserves (rather than max 10 mins during the live course and a couple of pages in teh OTK section at teh end of the book) - i have encountered more assumption questions in my retake in september than in may.

and this type of questions is really peculiar. btw i dont know whether powerscore have their own course - i am only reading their bible. although i find the swim methodology easier to grasp compared to the PS too granulated approach, i believe the assumption topic should be ring-fenced

popov · Answer

Hi Rich,

I will provide ESR report in a day or so.

I am planning to apply in CBS (ED), and Booth and Kellogg in R2.

popov · Answer

Hi Rich/Karishma,

I have sent you the detailed report in pm. 
In order to continue thread here and provide benefit to others (if at all), given below were my stats.

SC: 36 (was getting 40+ in gmatprep though)
RC: 34 (improved since last time)
CR: 29 (disaster, even compared to last time)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi popov,

I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

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

bfarooq · Answer

Hey,

Can you post your ESR here? I really want to see what the experts decision is to help you. lol.. it will benefit me with strategies as well.

KarishmaB · Answer

I suggest you to check out our following blog posts: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/03 ... sumptions/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/03 ... -question/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/04 ... ons-again/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/04 ... inference/ https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2014/07 ... inference/ They discuss the intricacies of assumption questions - very conceptual things that will help you solve GMAT assumption questions.

KarishmaB · Answer

Your ESR is in tandem with how you felt during the test. Improved RC but low CR.

If you push up your CR score, you should see a marked improvement in your overall Verbal score. 
The complicated part is that you do well in practice CRs but falter in the official exam. Hence, it is hard to identify your weaknesses. 
I suggest you to start from the position of strength - the question stem. Read the question stem first and immediately classify the question as strengthen/weaken/inference/method etc. Then you know that no matter what the argument gives you, it is still just a ... question - a question with which you know how to deal. Then keep your focus on the concept - identifying the conclusion in strengthen/weaken questions, no new information in inference questions etc. Don't worry about the subject matter - the same framework will be applicable to all questions of a specific group. Try this strategy in a few practice tests to figure out how you feel. As I said before, with a Q50, you are set to do well in CR - it's just a matter of learning to deal with the software's mind games now.

popov · Answer

Your ESR is in tandem with how you felt during the test. Improved RC but low CR.

If you push up your CR score, you should see a marked improvement in your overall Verbal score. 
The complicated part is that you do well in practice CRs but falter in the official exam. Hence, it is hard to identify your weaknesses. 
I suggest you to start from the position of strength - the question stem. Read the question stem first and immediately classify the question as strengthen/weaken/inference/method etc. Then you know that no matter what the argument gives you, it is still just a ... question - a question with which you know how to deal. Then keep your focus on the concept - identifying the conclusion in strengthen/weaken questions, no new information in inference questions etc. Don't worry about the subject matter - the same framework will be applicable to all questions of a specific group. Try this strategy in a few practice tests to figure out how you feel. As I said before, with a Q50, you are set to do well in CR - it's just a matter of learning to deal with the software's mind games now.

Thanks Karishma, I will follow this plan for CR. Appreciate links. I guess, since I am unable to pin point my weakness in CR, I will start with strength and then progress bottom up rather than top to bottom.

I gave one additional practice test from GMATPrep exam pack1. Like I said, I had exhausted that before, but it was hard to recollect if I had seen those question before or what were the answers that I had marked earlier. So it kind of felt like a fresh test. Scored V39 (SC 49, RC 35, CR 34). I got 6 CR, 3 RC, 1 SC incorrect. However, post exam, when I tried to resolve those CRs I could solve at least 3 CR correctly before looking at solution. At this time I read them slowly and carefully. I think I will follow this approach for CR practice in untimed phase first, starting with strength.

popov · Answer

Hey,

Can you post your ESR here? I really want to see what the experts decision is to help you. lol.. it will benefit me with strategies as well.

Conclusion is as follow
From Karishma: See what she has mentioned in the post above
From Rich: Simulate real practice environment. Practice full length (Essay+IR+Quant+Verbal) for practice. Align practice time with your actual exam slot.

I will try to improve CR like Karishma said and apply the learning like Rich said.

My issues:
i) Despite Q50 and IR 8, both implies strong CR hold, I messed up CR because of time pressure and pressure to perform.
ii) Didnt practice any test 1.5 month before actual, though had given 4 to 5 tests prior to that
iii) Got carried away in pressure for no reason starting from 2nd verbal ques itself

Hope this helps.

popov · Answer

VeritasPrepKarishma, EMPOWERgmatRichC Well, I tried. I tried really hard. Today, the exam feeling was just opposite of my last attempt. Verbal : Unlike last time, this time I was confident for good performance in all 3 sections. My accuracy in CR and SC practice was all time high. Time or performance pressure was nowhere to be seen. The 41 questions seemed so easy and I was so relaxed solving them that I was confident while attempting each question, except 2 in RC and 1 in SC. I was so sure that I would get 40 something or worst case 38. I even saved 2 mins in the section. There was no scope for any doubt. I was so relaxed and confident that the verbal section felt like the very first section of GMAT. But to my surprise I saw V32. It even occurred to me that the score was generated with an error and showed 32 instead of 42

. But I guess this is my life long level in verbal, and I cant improve any further. I am done. Quant : After first two question, I was wondering whether I am giving GMAT quant or some other quant exam. It felt so different and so off the track that I had to think twice in every question. Questions were like I had never seen before. Felt bit rushed around ques # 20, but still managed to finish it 4 mins before time. I thought I had performed bad and would be lucky to get Q50, with most likely score of Q49. But was surprised to see Q51. So, once again 700 it is, but with Q51 - V32. And I am done with 4th attempt or the final attempt.

bfarooq · Answer

Hey, sorry to hear you couldn't break the Verbal part. I think what you should have done is buy a 2-4 hour coaching one-on-one with either a Veritas or Manhattan instructor. I have heard that it has helped many people who are just stuck at a level or in the same position as yours. But I guess you dont want to keep taking the GMAT again and again. 
I still think it's a fantastic score and you can apply to some amazing schools. Buff up your application!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi popov,

While I'm sorry to hear that you weren't able to make the big improvement in the Verbal section that you were looking for, you still have an overall score that 90% of Test Takers are INCAPABLE of achieving. With a 710, you have a score that is 'in the range' of every Business School, so you should apply to any (and all) of the Programs that interest you.

Since you're planning to apply to some highly competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

ask-admission-consultants-124/

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

KarishmaB · Answer

Your last two scores are very similar. I wouldn't suggest you to take GMAT once again - another such score might be frowned upon. That said, a 700 is a great score. You have shown that you are brilliant in Quant and about average in Verbal. Though not the ideal situation but it isn't much of a red flag. You should set off your relatively lower Verbal score by putting in extra effort in your essays. Take help from school specific consultants - ensure that your writing style is engaging, stories true and informative and grammar impeccable. Get a free profile evaluation done here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#-school/

Suggestions needed for increasing V34 to V40+

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