Is a push from 630 to 690 possible in two weeks?

Question

Hi Everyone,

I took my GMAT on August and scored 600(Q 46, V 27). Since, then I've been trying to improve my verbal score along with practicing Quants regularly. I used the Manhattan Strategy guides for Verbal and Gmatclub test for Quants.

I took a 3 mock test after my Gmat attempt.
1 - Gmat Prep 1 - Q 44 - V 27 - 590
2 - Economist - Q 47 - V 26 - 600
3 - Veritas - Q 47 - V 30 - 630

I do sense that I'm able to solve Verbal questions better. I've scheduled my next attempt on Oct 19th. I have plenty of time to study but I feel like I'm over-stressing myself by studying all day.

Could anyone help me out on prioritizing on how I should prepare for the upcoming weeks? Should I keep taking full length tests? Should I concentrate on my weakness separately at this period of time?

My target score is 690 or anything above that.

Thanks in advance,
Siva.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Siva,

Since you have been studying for a number of months and are still 60 points below your score goal, you probably have some lingering weaknesses that should be addressed in order to raise your GMAT score. To give yourself ample time to fix those weaknesses (and not stress yourself out), you may consider rescheduling your GMAT for a later date. However, before making that decision, I’d like to learn a bit more about your study routine and MBA goals. I have a few questions:

1) For how many hours a day and for how many months did you prep for your first GMAT, and also for your second?

2) What resources have you been using for your prep? Did you use the same resources for your first attempt as you did for your second? When studying, do you feel as if you have been able to achieve linear and targeted learning followed by focused practice? In other words, have you been able to master one topic before you move on to the next?

3) What deadlines are you targeting?

4) Do you have the flexibility to schedule your GMAT for a later date?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Siva,

Based on the 2 Official GMAT scores that you have listed in your profile, and these 3 recent CAT scores, you're a remarkably consistent Test Taker - you do certain things consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes (in both the Quant and Verbal sections). 'Your way' of studying for the GMAT has gotten you to the low-600s "level", but it's probably not going to get you much higher. Raising your current score to a 690+ will likely take another 1-2 months of consistent, guided study - with an emphasis on learning and practicing new Tactics. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

1) Do you have the flexibility to push back your Test Date?
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

siv · Answer

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the reply. Here the answers to your questions.

1. For the 1st Gmat, I didn't have a consistent study plan. I studied for 2-4 hours a day, for 2-3 months before taking the exam on August. But I didn't write any full length mock tests before my first attempt.

2. My prep materials were mostly, the OG, Manhattan's 8 strategy guides and Gmat Club tests. For the first attempt, I concentrated entirely on Verbal. But even still, to answer your question, I didn't feel confident that I mastered a topic before moving on to the next one. I'm still using the same resources, but I'm taking on the advice of sticking to a topic and mastering it, before moving on to the next one.

3. I'm trying for BYU-Mariott School of Management, Utah which has its second round of application deadline on Jan, 2017.

4. I already pushed the Gmat once from oct 5th to oct 19th, after my first attempt. I'm afraid to push it further as it might affect the things to do after Gmat.

Thanks,
Siva.

siv · Answer

Thanks for the reply Rich. Here the answers to your questions.

1. I don't think I'm in a situation to push back the Test Date because I've already re-scheduled to this date from Oct 5th.

2. My plan is to join a B school in the fall of 201, which puts me in the situation to apply for b schools by the end of this year.

3. My primary aim is BYU-Mariott School of Management, Utah. I also have Mays, Fuqua and Marshall b schools on mind.

I've used Empower Gmat for 2 months but I didn't quite utilize the content entirely. 5-second scan has helped me a lot in verbal lately but my brain starts swinging in SC when it comes down to last 2 options. Sometimes, I feel like I'm overthinking situations and choosing the answer wrongly. What would be the advice for keeping a steady state of mind during SC?

Thanks,
Siva.

Kurai · Answer

Hey Siva,

I am in a similar position as yours where I scored a 610 (Q47, V27) last September and have been studying for the last 3 months pushing for the upper 600’s. I am currently stuck in the mid 600’s.
I am also retaking my exam on October 17th so we are on pretty much the same paths.

What I would say is at this point there isn’t too much learning you can do that will drastically change your exam score (50+ points). I would review what you have learned already especially your weakness to make it fresh in your mind. Take lots of mock exams to strengthen your stamina and review the problems right after you finish the exam.

Good luck on your exam! I’m excited to see how you do.

Kurai

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Siva,

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

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Siva,

I'm glad to see that you have adjusted your study routine such that you are learning one topic at a time. Since you only have about 11 days until your GMAT, you may consider doing focused practice to find and fix some of your remaining weaknesses.

For instance, when reviewing percents, start by reviewing your notes/flashcards on percents to ensure that you are up to speed with that topic. Following your review, practice a significant number of percent questions that cover the various concepts from that topic (percent less than, percent greater than, variable percents, percent profit, percent change, etc.). Once complete, analyze your mistakes and figure out remedies for them.
 
Follow a similar routine for verbal; practice one section at a time: reading comprehension, sentence correction, or critical reasoning. For example, when practicing critical reasoning, be sure to practice all concepts from that section (strengthen and weaken the conclusion, resolve the paradox, find the conclusion, must be true, etc.). As above, once complete, analyze your mistakes and figure out remedies for them.

Finally, you may find it beneficial to take a few more MBA.com practice exams. When taking those exams, be sure to emulate the test-day experience as much as possible. Take the test in a quiet environment, only take the allotted breaks, and complete all the sections. After each practice exam, analyze your wrong answers to determine remaining weaknesses and then spend some time fixing those issues.

You may find this article that I wrote helpful; it contains some more detailed advice on  how to spend your final week leading up to your GMAT .
 
Let us know how things go with your exam. Good luck!

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