Urgent :: 15 days to go.

Question

Hi 
I have my GMAT exam on 12th of Jan and for some reason, I can't postpone my exam. Can you please guide me what can I do to improve my score. 
I took the mock test today and scored 660, but I am hoping for 720+. Can anyone please guide me how to get 60-70 marks hop on my current score. 
My problem areas are RC and SC.

Thanks.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi s2s2213,

I'm hoping that you can clarify something from your original post: you mentioned "for some reason...I can't postpone my exam." Does that mean that you WANT to push back your Test Date or does that mean that January 12th is the latest that you can take the GMAT (and it's for a reason that you don't want to describe)?

1) Was this 660 your first practice CAT or have you taken others?
2) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on this CAT?
3) Did you take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?

4) What materials have you been using to practice the Verbal section?

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

s2s2213 · Answer

Thanks Rich for your quick response. The thing is I am aiming for Sept intake and the colleges I am aiming for are ESADE, IE and HEC. So if I postpone it for say another month then I might miss my shot at these colleges as I am not a European citizen so I will be able to apply only for R2 for most of the colleges.

1) This CAT (660- V32, Q47)was not my first test.Before this, I took another one and scored 560(Q 47, V24). 
2) Yes, I did all the sections.(AWA-IR)
3) For Sentence Correction - OG13 and Manhattan SC.
4)For CR- OG13 and education aisle material.

My problem in verbal is while solving the SC questions I forget the rules that I know.What should I focus on more and what should I study? Do you think I should do concepts building again? or just practice? Also, what is a good score for the colleges mentioned above?
Please advice me what can I do to make best of this time and get my target score.

Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi s2s2213,

With a V32, you are likely losing points in other areas besides SC. Since that seems to be your primary concern right now and you've defined WHY you're having trouble (you can't consistently remember the grammar rules involved) - you have something that you can focus on. There's actually more to properly dealing with SCs than just knowing grammar/idioms though. There are lots of patterns that you can take advantage of, 'style' issues that can help you to avoid the wrong answers and common errors that the GMAT question writers put into the wrong answers (that are worth knowing). Considering your goal score, you could also be picking up some points in the Quant section. From what you've described, you've taken a 'book heavy' study approach; you would likely benefit by investing in some additional 'non-book' practice resources.

Since you've also asked some Admissions questions, 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

s2s2213 · Answer

Thanks Rich.

Can you please suggest some 'non-book' practice resources?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi s2s2213,

When it comes to studying for the GMAT, there are a variety of different options. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at out site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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

KarishmaB · Answer

With 15 days to go, you should focus on your SC. Figure out the errors that you are unable to catch and work on them specifically. Also, get to know the various error types. It will help you in eliminating 2-3 options right away. In this time frame, all you can do for RC is work on knowing the various question types. Check out our Verbal blog posts on these topics: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/categor ... at-verbal/

s2s2213 · Answer

Thanks Rich and Karishma..

Urgent :: 15 days to go.

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