Argument Construction and Argument Evaluation

Question

Hi GMATians

I'm trying to improve my CR score and in the pursuit I was analyzing my mistakes in CR from the OG to find a pattern so that I can work on them and improve.

I observed that there are three types of CR questions mentioned in OG - Argument Construction, Argument Evaluation ,and Evaluation of a plan.
I did quite good in last one and suffered with the other two types.

And I'm finding it hard to categorize the sub-types(Assumption, support, weaken, strengthen, Must be true, Main point, Resolve Paradox, Evaluate the argument , and Flaw in reasoning) under Argument Construction and Argument Evaluation.

I reckon there must be some clear cut distinction between these two types and therefore they exist in OG for a reason.

Guys, please help me in organizing the sub-types for Argument construction and Argument Evaluation.
I want to hear it from you guys, what do you think, Is it worth doing? or Is there a better way to conquer CR? Please share your thoughts :idea:

Thanks
Snork
---------------
I already read CR bible & notes from OG, and watched most of the RON videos(I'll finish remaining videos by tomorrow)

Guys, please help me in organizing the sub-types for Argument construction and Argument Evaluation. I want to hear it from you guys, what do you think, Is it worth doing? or Is there a better way to conquer CR? Please share your thoughts :idea:

Thanks Snork --------------- I already read CR bible & notes from OG, and watched most of the RON videos(I'll finish remaining videos by tomorrow)

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Snork,

The GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to face everything that you'll see on Test Day. If you're not completely comfortable/knowledgeable about the major question types (including CR), then you might not have studied enough yet OR you might not be using the proper materials. CR is a remarkably predictable question type - the type of questions, logic used and wrong answer choices are all consistent, so you can certainly train to perform at a high level in this area.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
3) What is your goal score?
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

snorkeler · Answer

Hi Rich

Thanks for your response and your response did instilled some hope in me. Let me answer your questions in detail.

1)   How long have you been studying?  - Its been 4 months by now(on avg every day I spend at least 8 hours) - excluding the 2 months that I spent last year(that was me back then decided to study for any such competitive exam, after 3 long years)

2) How have you scored on each of your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?  
My last CAT on Veritas was Q48, V25 (I'm confident I can scale Q50 but verbal is daunting) so I stopped taking mocks unless I fix my verbal score. I want to improve that really bad.
I broke down the mistakes I'm committing in verbal further, and found that my accuracy in CR is 40-50% and same with RC, but with higher fluctuation.

Right now I'm analyzing my mistakes from 124 CR questions that I attempted from OG'15 using wiley gmat online account, in which my accuracy was 60% (excluding the silly mistakes that account for 15%) Pls have a look at the table in attachment - CR mistakes break down.(49 incorrect out of 124) - from OG'15 and difficulty level is as mentioned by the GMAC

3) What is your goal score?  770 (Q50 V45). I don't want to sell myself cheap, no matter what it takes to get that score.

4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?  By the end of May'16.

Material I'm relying on
V - MGMAT strategy guides(Not for CR), CR- Powerscore CR bible , OG'12, Verbal Review-16,and OG-15, including 'Thursdays with ron' sessions
Q - MGMAT Strategy guides, Quant Review'1, OG12, and OG'15
I'm done with reading the MGMAT strategy guide and Powerscore CR atleast twice.

CAT s: I have exhausted 4 out of 7 veritas' CATs , I'm saving Manhattan and GMAT Prep CATs for future once I address the weak zones in my verbal section.

Sorry for such a long post, I tried my best to cut short the content.

Thanks
Snork

KarishmaB · Answer

Most sub types you have mentioned fall in the first two categories. 
Argument construction will often include identifying the basic structure of the argument. So questions on conclusions, assumptions and method will fall in this category.
Argument Evaluation will include evaluating the strength of an argument. So strengthen and weaken questions will be included here.
There will be overlaps in the two. 
Evaluation of a plan is considered to be one of the toughest question type in which you evaluate how successful a plan is likely to be.

The exact distinction is immaterial. Focus on each sub type - learn to identify and handle each appropriately.

Your aim is to bump up 20 points in verbal in a month. It will be an uphill task but the good news is that you are able to put in a lot of time. Use it appropriately. 
Usually, we tell people to take at most 1 practice test in a week since the aim of the practice tests is to help you identify weaknesses. Once you identify them, you need to put in time to work on them. But since you are going to put in a lot of time everyday and have many practice tests available, you can take two tests a week.

snorkeler · Answer

Hi Karishma

After I listed down my mistakes - reviewed and categorized them into sub-types, I was getting the sub-types all over the sheet that kept me buzzing where to focus. Now, your definition of Arg Eva. & Arg Con. completely fits with the error log I have created and yes, now I see a pattern in them. I can work on it systematically to elevate my CR score.

Thanks a lot for your valuable response.

Regards
Snork

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Snork,

Given your last CAT score, and your goal score, you're not likely to get to that 'level' by the end of May. Thus, you either need to redefine your score goal or you need to push back your Test Date.

Since you've been studying a certain way for so long (4 months at 8 hours a day; which is TOO MUCH, by the way), you've likely developed some 'bad habits' that will take time to fix (and replace with new 'good habits'). Your studies have also been 'book heavy', which might also be impacting your progress. Many Test Takers who use a book-heavy study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and that may be something that's affected you too. To make the big improvements that you're looking for, you'll likely need to invest in some new practice materials and learn/practice some new Tactics.

1) When did you take this last CAT?
2) Did you take the FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections)?

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

snorkeler · Answer

Hi Rich Thanks for your honest view. My last CAT was on 22nd of April(without Essay and IR & in perfect timed condition) I do agree with the point you made "TOO MUCH" because as per my plan, I should wrap up gmat in 2months(Jan-Feb) or might extend till march at max. But in reality it didn't worked out for me. For first two and half months I went book heavy including practicing OG content, finished syllabus and revised by the end of march. Here comes the mistake, I didn't attempted even a single mock during this period that left me prone to the weak zones left unaddressed. I assumed that I was ready for real exam, I prepared a rigorous mock schedule for April(7 cats from veritas, 6 from Manhattan & 3 from gmatprep), on avg 3 exams per week and remaining days for reviewing them and planned to give my final test by the end of April. I took my first CAT on 3rd of Apr, in which I scored Q46 V27 -- 600 - that was disappointing back then :toilet

,and I thought this is my first CAT in 3months so I might've missed the hang of it, probably in next CAT I can see a boost of 60-80 point ATLEAST. 2nd CAT followed in the same week and score hasn't improved *this was the day that made me feel really bad*

. And insights from my 1st, 2nd CAT I have identified that I was making mistakes in DS & some silly mistakes in PS too, there was a pattern in mistakes I was committing -addressed them and gave 3rd CAT (on 22nd of Apr) - I see quant score has improved.(I have faith that there's still some space to improve here but that would be of no use unless I bring some life to my verbal score) I haven't thought that I will form a plateau somewhere around 600(+/-20), I expected it to be 680(+/-20), if any such plateau thing exists. To address verbal score, I'm targeting CR and RC for my next CAT (Planned for May 5th) For preparation: Error log analysis ---> find patterns --> re-reading(not extensive, just through note), Thursday with Ron videos, making changes to my approach --> then practice ---> re-evaluate mistakes --> update error log & notes --> practice --> overall revision --> CAT-4 I changed my approach since I've started taking mocks, picking the weak areas and improving those spots, that's been my new way. I don't know how good or bad it is! - this worked for me in DS & PS. Applying the same technique for CR & RC. Please address the flaw in my approach if you can pick. suggest me what else I need to do to reach my goal by end of May? - I know you've said 'Unlikely' but just pretend that if someone achieved this feat - what do you think he/she has done? Can you help me with any suggestions for reliable practice material? (especially for verbal) I want to get rid of the bad-habits I inculcated in my prep and approach. I really want to. Thanks Snork

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