How to improve GMAT score from 500 to 650 in 5 weeks?

Question

Hi All,

Attempted GMAT for the first time today and got a score of 500 (V: 24 Q:36), was very disappointed with this score. I am aiming to get a 650 so I it gives me an edge for my Masters in Finance applications. I'm planning to take the take again in second week of July, which gives me about 5 weeks to prepare.

Please advise me on how I can improve my, I feel like I'm getting majority of the questions (8/10) in the OG correct but this has not translated well into actual test.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've got a premium membership would that be sufficient along with OG or do I need to purchase any additional resources?

pushpitkc · Answer

Hey raulannedi

The first step must be to order the ESR and find out what your exact problem areas are. Once
you have an ESR, the experts will be able to give you ways to improve your Verbal score.

From my experience, the following links will definitely help you improve your scores
Link for Quant theory: https://gmatclub.com/forum/ultimate-gma ... 44512.html
Link for Verbal improvement: https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-impro ... 42361.html

A Q36 in the actual test means you have made mistakes in some 600 level questions also. IMO, you
should focus on building the concepts again and follow it up with practice to improve your score. As
you have the Premium membership, you could use the GMATClub Quant tests for practice. Last but
not the least, work on building an error log and always go through the mistakes you make on a daily
basis till you stop making these mistakes.

This is an awesome post which will definitely help you improve your Quant score(once you reach a Q44+)
https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-impro ... 41670.html

Hope that helps you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi raulannedi,

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?

Raising a 500 to a 650+ will likely require 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 need more study time than you've currently planned for. 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

raulannedi · Answer

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?

I've only studied for about 20 hours over the course of 3 weeks
2) What study materials have you used so far?

I've used OG and Magoosh GMAT resources

3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

TBH, I was quite busy with work schedule, I didnt have time to do any fully timed practice tests

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

I'm planning to apply for the Spring 2019 or the Fall 2019 semester

5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

Texas A&M - MS Accounting
Arizona State University - MS Accounting
Indiana University - MS Finance

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
The OG is a resource for practicing questions and all questions do not reflect the hard level of the actual test. There are less 700 level questions in OG. But a score of 500 indicates you need to improve in both Quant and Verbal. Also you have to get the 500+ and 600+ level questions right first before you can jump to the 700 levels. There is a lot of resource in Gmatclub. Refer to the Ultimate Quant megathread for Quant theory. You can find similar post for Verbal too. Then practice the questions in the documents of Premium membership.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi raulannedi,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so since you've studied sparingly for just a few weeks, this score isn't too surprising (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). You haven't had time to develop any 'bad habits' yet, so you can proceed from this point with a focus on learning and practicing the proper Tactics.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

raulannedi · Answer

I'm not working at the moment, so around 40-45 hours per week

Sajjad1994 · Answer

I Think 45 hours/week is not a good deal at all, 4-5 Hours/day and 6 six days a week so 25 Hours/week is a maximum time. As after studying 4-5 hours a day you may waste your time but get no benefit.

Study SMART not Hard.

Good Luck

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi raulannedi,

It's takes time to develop the necessary skills needed to consistently score at a high level on the GMAT - and that type of training cannot be 'rushed.' While it's great that you have so much potential study time each week, I'm concerned that you might 'burn out' by trying to consistently study 40+ hours each week (you have to be careful about confusing 'quantity' of study with 'quality' of study).

1) What are the application deadlines for each of the Programs that you want to apply to?
2) Are there any major changes to your life that are going to take place in July or August or later (such as school, work, etc.?) that would impact your studies?

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

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi raulannedi, 5 weeks is good enough to improve your score. It’s a good thing you have taken your GMAT once. You now know your weaknesses and work on them. If you are willing to study dedicatedly for that period, you are sure to achieve your goal. I believe you may benefit from taking a GMATPREP course. If you are willing, there are some great GMAT prep companies that can help you with your preparation. For verbal, I would highly encourage you to consider e-gmat verbal online or the e-gmat verbal live course. They are both amazing courses especially designed for non-natives. They offer almost 25% of their courses for free so you can try out their free trial to decide which one you want to go for. Plus the e-gmat Scholaranium which is included in both the courses is one of the best verbal practice tools in the market. You can easily track your progress in that you can identify your strengths and analyze and improve on your weak areas. You can also try out the MGMAT guides they are phenomenal and cover the entire syllabus really well. MGMAT foundation of GMAT Quant anf foundation of GMAT verbal will particularly help you solidify your base. I must add that if you are particularly looking to discover and improve on your weak areas in Quant; a subscription to GMATCLUB tests is the best way to do that. They are indeed phenomenal and will not only pinpoint your weak areas but also help you improve on them. Further taking multiple mocks might help. Apart from the GMATPREP, Manhattan GMAT tests and Veritas Prep Tests in my experience have good verbal and Quant section and will certainly help you point out and improve your weak areas. Further another advantage of taking many mocks is to build up your stamina. Apart from the GMATPREP tests, taking practise tests of any major GMATPREP company ought to do that. I would also encourage you to purchase the GMATPREP QP 1 for some great additional practice. Here is a link that will help you with your decision. https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ve ... ml?fl=menu Hope this helps. All the best.

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