TARGET 700+ SCORED 600 :(

Question

HELLO I took GMAT on 3rd Sep 2016 and scored only 600. :cry:

It was a shock because I have been constantly scoring between 650-680 in Kaplan online tests and GMAT Prep tests during the two weeks before the actual test day. In fact, just a day before, i.e. on 2nd sep 2016, I got a 700 on Kaplan online test. I felt happy and hopeful that I would be able to atleast touch 700 on the actual GMAT. While I took the actual GMAT, I did not feel that I was not doing fine. I could judge that I was performing as good as I used to on the mock tests, so atleast above 650 was expected. But I ended up with only a 600. May be it was the adaptive system that doesn't let you judge that you are doing bad. Books read: 1) Official Guide, Official Quant. Review, Official Verbal Review : 2015 editions 2) Nova and Barron for Quant only 3) Kaplan Premier, Kaplan math workbook, Kaplan verbal workbook (fifth editions) 4) Manhattan SC, RC and critical reasoning Also took 3 Kaplan online tests with scores 600, 650 and 700. And GMAT PREP tests with score mostly between 650-680. Scaled Score Percentile Quantitative 48 71 Verbal 24 37 Unofficial GMAT score 600 59 My score reflects that verbal is my weak area. And it is so. Though I improved a lot while preparing and taking mock tests, still there is a large gap between what my indiviual performance in verbal should be so as to push my overall score to 700. Quant is not much of a problem. But I do get stuck in difficult problems and calculations. And sometimes I can not complete both the sections in time on mock tests, especially verbal. Hurring up effects my efficiency and slowing down forces me to guess and mark answers towards the end.

What else do I do for both the sections, especially verbal to improve my score? On SC I get 80% efficiency, but on RC its about 50% and just 40% for CR. I read and implemented the minute details and tricks of RC and CR from manhattan but the improvement was not noteworthy. I plan to retake GMAT in mid Nov and I need to atleast touch 700.

I want to apply for January deadlines. Please tell me where I am going wrong, what else I should do and what strategy I should adopt for these coming say 8 weeks.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. If you can answer a few questions, then we should be able to figure this out:

When 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?
6) On what dates did you take each of your CATs?

Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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

TANUPREET · Answer

@EMPOWERgmatrichC
Thank you for your response. Answers to your respective questions are as follows:
1) Yes, I took the entire CAT each time, including essay and IR sections.
2) I took the 3 Kaplan online tests at a coaching institute that have infrastructure and environment similar to that of actual test centre.
3) I took the tests not exactly at the same time slot everytime, as my actual GMAT test slot. Plus minus a couple of hours I could say.
4) There was no such privelege that I used to take during my CATs that I did not take on the GMAT. On the contrary, I took both of the 8 min break before the verbal and quant sections on GMAT that I did not always take on CATs. I returned 30 seconds late from the break before quant section hence lost time. But still could complete the section in time.
5) I did not take any particular CAT more than once but yes, questions did repeat many times in different tests also.
6) Kaplan test series:
 25-08-16 score 600
 26-08-16 score 650
 02-09-16 score 700
 Actual GMAT 03-09-16 score 600
Now it occurs to me.. may be the test I took on 2nd sep had a no. of questions that I had faced earlier, that took my score up.
Please guide me.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

From your prior post, there were a few 'red flags' that help to define why your score dropped. Before we discuss those though, I have a few additional questions about the lead-up to Test Day and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
6) Did you finish any sections early?
7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?

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

TANUPREET · Answer

1) In the 3 days before the test day, I revised all the maths formulae and notes of tricks and tips of verbal. I also practiced questions of RC and CR for these were my weak areas. And one day before the GMAT, I took a full length test.
2) I had a good sleep the night before the test.
3) The ride to the test centre was hardly 7-8 minutes.
4) No, there were no such distractions .
5) During the first 8-min break, I took too long. I got fresh, had water and a chocolate as a snack. Also took a stroll within the test premises. I underestimated the time that I took for these things and lost on 30 seconds on the timer. But still managed to complete the quant section in time. During the second 8-min break, I just got fresh and returned within 2 minutes and resumed my test.
6)I finished both the sections early. Saved 2 min on quant and about 1 min on verbal.
7) But I think for both I did rush during the last 20-25 min considering that I might not be able to complete in time and guessed and marked the questions that I could not solve with effort. So that gave me enough time fir the last 2-3 questions and even saved a couple of minutes in the end.

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JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

Although your actual GMAT score dropped from your recent practice test scores, a 600 is a good start. However, to increase your score closer to a 700, you will need to make some major improvement in verbal while maintaining or slightly improving your quant.

To help improve your GMAT score (especially verbal) you want to strive for linear, targeted learning in order to improve your GMAT quant score. In other words, you want to master one topic before you move to the next. Have you been able to approach your prep in this way?

For example, when learning about critical reasoning, attempt to master all aspects of critical reasoning before moving on to another section: master the full range of critical reasoning question types. Follow up your learning with focused critical reasoning practice, so you can determine your specific weaknesses within each topic. For example, if you continually have trouble with strengthening arguments based on scientific evidence, you will want to identify and overcome that difficulty. You should follow a similar routine for sentence correction and reading comprehension.
 
Also, to help improve your reading comprehension, I recommend reading publications such as the Economist, the New Yorker, Scientific American, or the Smithsonian so you can get used to reading and analyzing long, sophisticated passages that are well written.
 
To master sentence correction, you must become proficient in the use of grammar rules ( parallelism, subject-verb agreement, comparisons, pronouns, etc.) and accepted English usage. Concentrate on one topic at a time, such as modification, and practice with as many modification questions as you can find. Only after you feel confident with modification should you move to the next topic. In addition to your dedicated study, notice grammar and usage in your everyday life. When you read emails, articles, or even blog posts, pay attention to sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, the use of pronouns, and even punctuation. Use proper grammar in your everyday writing as well. Have you put parallel ideas into parallel constructions? Do all of your pronouns agree with their antecedents?? The more you reinforce your study with related activity outside of your study, the greater the likelihood you will master the topics, and have fun doing so!

For quant, since you are already scoring at a pretty high level, you might consider following a similar but slightly altered approach that consists of more focused practice. For example, if you are reviewing number properties, be sure that you can practice 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc. The results of that practice will help you determine your weak areas within that topic. Once you find and fix your weak areas, then move on to the next quant topic.
 
 Also, instead of using a book for your GMAT prep, you may consider using a self-study course. In comparison to GMAT prep books, self-study courses typically provide detailed study plans and have granular analytics, so you can easily track your progress as you move through the course. By being able to track your progress, you will remain more engaged, and you’ll be able to forecast when you are ready to take your real GMAT. 
 
Feel free to reach out with any further questions. Good luck!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

The extra information that you've provided is quite useful, as it helps to define what went wrong on Test Day. In real basic terms, you took your CATs in such a way that you were NOT properly training to face the Official GMAT. Test Day is a rather specific 'event' - the details are specific and they matter, so you have to train as best as you can for all of them. The more realistic you can make your CATs, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. The more you deviate, the more "inflated" your scores can become - and that's what happened here. By taking the CATs at different times of day, seeing questions that you had already answered, etc., you weren't properly training for the FULL GMAT 'experience.' You should have been a bit skeptical that you had raised your scores from a 600 to a 700 in 1 week (it often takes GMATers 2 months of consistent, guided study to gain that type of improvement).

In addition, taking a CAT the day before your Official GMAT was NOT a good idea. The process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically shouldn't take more than 1 CAT per week. By taking that CAT right before Test Day, there's a reasonable chance that you experienced some 'burn out' on Test Day. Even if you didn't "feel" tired, what you described about the having to rush through parts of the Quant and Verbal sections certainly makes it sound like you were not at your best.

Thankfully, this is a relatively easy set of problems to fix. However, you will likely need another 2 months of proper study time to consistently score at the 700+ level. Given your overall timeframe, you have plenty of time to continue studying and work on your applications, which is good. You would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some kind (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

TANUPREET · Answer

@EMPOWERGMATRICHC
Thank you so much for your advice. It certainly helps me understand what went wrong. Please guide me what should be my study strategy now and what study material I should follow. I am weak on RC and CR. With CR, sometimes my line of thinking and interpreting a situation just does not match with that of the author, that makes me choose wrong answers. With RC, I go wrong with specific details type of questions. Please help.

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TANUPREET · Answer

@JeffTargetTestPrep
Thank you so much for your response and valuable advice.
No, I have not been preparing in such linear and targeted manner. I rather went from book to book, covering all the verbal and quant topics and questions from one book and then moving to the next. May be that is why I could not consolidate one section of verbal at a time.
With SC, I am still better, mostly going wrong with only the faulty idioms type. I am weak on RC and CR. With CR, sometimes my line of thinking and interpreting a situation just does not match with that of the author, that makes me choose wrong answers. With RC, I go wrong with specific details type of questions.
Where can I find sub-topic wiae questions, e.g., faulty idiom queations of SC, Specific details questions type of RC etc?
Please help.

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TANUPREET · Answer

@EMPOWERGMATRICHC:
If I take only 1 CAT per week for the coming 8 weeks, will that be enough? How about sectional tests of verbal amd quant, should they be taken or only full length tests?

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

To start, a V24 means that you lost significant points in all 3 major Verbal categories (SC, RC and CR), so you would benefit from some specific SC practice to go along with the RC and CR work that you know needs to be done.

As far as taking CATs is concerned, it's important to remember that taking lots of CATs will NOT make you a better Test Taker. A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to put in the necessary practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. As such, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week (meaning that taking 1 CAT every 2 weeks is fine).

Based on everything that you've described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, so the time commitment wouldn't be too bad. During that time, you'll also be able to access any of the Quant resources that interest you. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hi TANUPREET,

It looks like you need a study plan that you can stick to. Here is a customized 2-3 month study plan that can help boost your score: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... study-plan

Use this as a guideline. You don’t have to follow it exactly but the structure of the study plan should be the same structure that you take in your approach. This helps to optimize your retention and learning.

As you study, we recommend that you focus on one particular subsection for multiple consecutive days before moving onto the next. You can see this in our study plan where we recommend 5 days on nothing but SC -- before moving onto CR and then RC.

Here is a sample SC video to help you start your journey: https://www.gmatpill.com/sentencecorrect ... ythons.mp4

Best of luck - we are here to help.

TANUPREET · Answer

@EMPOWERGMATRICHC Thanks a ton for your guidance and support

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TANUPREET · Answer

@GMATPILLBILL Thank you for your response and guidance

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TANUPREET · Answer

How can I receive my official score report? I took GMAT on 3rd Sep. I couldn't figure it out on the mba.com

Sent from my GT-N7100 using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

TARGET 700+ SCORED 600 :(

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