Stuck on 620. Need help/advice

Question

Hello everyone,

I am planning to take the GMAT soon. I am targeting a score of around 680. I have given all 4 preps and 2 MGMAT tests so far, the scores are as below (in order as taken):
1) GMAT Prep 1 : 560 (Q43, V25)
2) GMAT Prep 2: 550 (Q38, V28)
3) MGMAT 1: 570 (Q37, V31)
4) GMAT Prep 3: 600 (Q37, V35)
5) MGMAT 2: 620 (Q37, V37)
6) GMAT Prep 4: 640 (Q44, V34), few repeated questions
[EDIT]
7) MGMAT 3: 630 (Q40, V36)
My scores seem to hover around the 620 mark. I cannot figure out what I am missing. I have followed these materials:

1) OG 2015
2) MGMAT SC Guide
3) Kaplan Math Workbook (Found it very basic hence useless)
4) GMAT Question Pack 1
5) Other unofficial sources

If anybody can help me understand this scenario and let me know how I can improve my score, I will be grateful. I will be happy to provide more information if asked to.

Thanks

GMATPill · Answer

When you are reviewing OG questions, are you following along an expert's perspective - perhaps through something like this? www.gmatpill.com/official-guide

You have room for improvement in both quant and verbal - though it appears you've shown some improvement in verbal.

That said, you've done plenty of questions. Make sure you actually review these questions and re-attempt them to make sure you actually learned from your mistake.

You may also be interested in these practice questions on our Practice Pill Platform: www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-test/

todi123 · Answer

I do look at the OG solutions and if I feel those solutions are difficult to understand I go for GMATClub solutions. I seem to understand most of the OG questions but I cant seem to get around what goes wrong during the mocks.

Thanks for the reply. I will look into your practice questions.

Thanks for the reply. I will look into your practice questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi todi123,

Since your recent CAT included some repeat questions, that score result is likely 'inflated' (thus, we have to ignore it). The remaining 5 CAT scores are all 'clustered' around 600, so that is likely your current ability level. To raise that up to a 680+, you'll have to make some significant changes to how you handle the Quant, the Verbal, or both.

The issue you're dealing with actually happens to many Test Takers who use a "book heavy" study approach. Even the best books are limited in what they can teach you; they also can't force you to approach questions in a certain way and their explanations are often one-sided. "Your way" of approaching the Quant section has you stuck at this current scoring level. To make a big improvement, you'll have to change your tactics. This will likely mean investing in some new Computer-based resources and learning (and practicing) new tactics.

1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

todi123 · Answer

Thanks for your reply.

I am planning to take the GMAT around mid-August.
I am planning to apply for Round 1.
Iowa State, University of Massachusetts (Isenberg), University of Wisconsin (Madison), Notre Dame.

egmat · Answer

Hi Todi123,
I am happy to help you. Since your last mock test had few repeated questions, it won't be fair to consider that score(640). If we leave this, your current performance level is around  600 . Also, there hasn't been much improvement in the Quant section, you are consistently scoring around  37-38  and you certainly need to improve on this. In Verbal, you have shown improvement. Going by your scores, your current performance level is around 3 4-35  mark.

Current situation:  Your present situation is very similar to what we call is hitting a  Scoring Plateau 
This is a symptom of maintaining the status quo i.e. strong areas remain strong and weak areas remain weak. GMAT exam is a test of ability and with mere practice and taking mocks you cannot improve your ability. You need to identify your weak areas and build the core skills. Unless you can strengthen your weak areas, you cannot improve your GMAT score.
The only way you can improve your score is by identifying the crucial topics where you need improvement, understanding the core skills required to improve and then practice them.
Given the time you have for the preparation(3 weeks: mid august) and the improvement you are looking at (80 points: 600 to 680), you will have to change your existing mode of preparation(focussed on books) and use analytics (Online / computer based programmes with real time feedback mechanism) to prepare with a strategy to get to 680+. 
The following will help you to build the right strategy to get to 680+.
# Attend the  GMAT score booster webinar(23rd July 7AM PST )  in which we tell you "How to overcome score plateau and  improve by 100 points is <30 days ". Click  here  to register for the webinar.
If you are unable to attend the webinar, you can go through the recording  here .

e-gmat's   GMAT Planner Tool : Use this tool to plan how you can score 680+ given your current performance level.

Hope this helps. Remember that 3 weeks is a lot of time to prepare and improve if you have the right strategy and given that you approach things in the right way. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any other queries.

Regards,
Rajat Sadana

todi123 · Answer

Hi Rajat,

Thanks for your reply.

I am a regular e-gmat follower and I have already registered for the webinar. Thank you for all the free materials.

Would you mind taking a look at my MGMAT test assessment reports. I have given 3 of them and I just cant to figure the "weak spots". I would appreciate it if you could do that.

Thanks again,

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi todi123,

Given the short timeframe, you might consider pushing back your applications to Round 2, so that you don't have to 'rush' through putting them together AND you can use the extra time to hone your GMAT skills and score higher. Given everything that you've described, you're likely going to need another 1-2 months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goal.

I have a few questions about how you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?

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

egmat · Answer

Hi Todi123,

To identify your weak areas, we first have to look at your sectional scores.

Since GMAT Prep tests and scores very closely represent the GMAT test, can you share the sectional scores from your attempts in the first 3 GMAT prep tests. Based on your sectional scores + feedback from the   GMAT Planner tool  , you can actually plan how much to score in the different sections to get to 680+ and plan a strategy accordingly.
 Just to give you an example, you can get to 680 by the following:

1) Focused on more improvement in Quant:  Score  48 in Quant t +  35 in Verbal  (taking into account your current average Verbal score of 35).

2)  Focused on improvement in Quant and Verbal both : Score  45 in Quant  and  40 in Verbal.

Also, the GMAT Planner tool will tell you, how much you need to score in the individual sections in Quant and Verbal (CR/RC/SC) to get the required improvement.

Hope this helps, I look forward to having you in the session.

Regards,
Manas Sadana

TrevorKleeTutor · Answer

Hi,

Without pushing my own product, have you been keep track of what precisely you've been getting wrong in a spreadsheet? That's the best way to improve.

Best,
Trevor

Stuck on 620. Need help/advice

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