I have a feeling that I am about to loose this.

Question

Hi Guys,

I have scheduled my test on 22 November 2017. It is hardly 40 days away from me. Now, the problem is I have so many doubts and questions regarding my prep and me doing MBA.
1. I scored 500 on one of my mock after a practice of a month. Both my Quant and Verabal were average only so I was not able to figure out what is my strong area as well.
This has really worried me because I am still lacking the pace and accuracy and landing on low scores.
2. I really fail to comprehend sometimes what question is asking. Also I am facing it hard to remember my concepts.
3. I wish to get in late 600s or early 700s to score a college but I think I am just having a unrealistic expectation keeping in mind my current scores and time left.

I am a working professional and devoting a lot of time is really a challenge for me as my office project is currently in critical condition.

Any suggestions or guidance?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Taresh,

Raising a 500 to a high-600s or 700s score will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. As such, you might want to consider pushing back your Test Date.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Taresh · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks a lot for sharing those words with me.
As per your questions I can say that:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? Ans - I studied for about a month and half .
2) What study materials have you used so far? I am using OG -17, Manhattan Review and GMAT Club for my reference.
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)? In GMAT mock test I scored Q19 and V21.

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School? I was hopeful to apply to ISB by Jan-18 and NUS by same.
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to? ISB, NUS, University of Texas.

Hope this helps.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Taresh,

If your job limits the amount of time that you can consistently commit to your studies, then there will probably be a limit to how much you can improve. Given everything that you have described, you're going to need far more than 40 days of study time to hit your score goal. With a January 18th application deadline, you could potentially put in the necessary study time - but you might also have to work on your applications while studying. Thus, if there are other/later application Rounds, then you might want to consider those options.

Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. Since you've only taken one practice CAT, we can't say for sure whether you're currently 'stuck' or not, but your studies have been book heavy so far, so you might end up needing to invest in some new, non-book resources. If it's been at least 2 weeks since you took this CAT, then I suggest that you take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT sometime soon. Once you have that score result, you should post back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

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

I have a feeling that I am about to loose this.

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