ESR Analysis - GMAT 720 | Experts Please Help

Question

GMAT Experts,

I've taken the GMAT three months back and scored a 720 on the test. However, I'm taking the test again in 5 weeks time. Hence, I would request GMAT experts to help me analyze the ESR of my previous attempt in depth so that I do not make similar mistakes in the next attempt.

I'd highly appreciate all types of feedback and suggestions.

ESR is attached for review.

- Anirban

mcelroytutoring   mikemcgarry   RonPurewal   EducationAisle   AjiteshArun   egmat   Skywalker18   GMATNinja

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

All the best!! I am not an expert but I think it is a wise decision for you to retake the test as I can see that there is lot of scope for you to improve your score in SC and RC and overall improve your timing so that you don't run out of time during the end.
All the best!!

GMATNinja · Answer

CAMANISHPARMAR  absolutely has the right idea here. When I look at those verbal subscores, I see somebody who is perfectly capable of reading at an elite level -- that CR score is about as good as it gets. So if you can crack the 90th percentile mark on CR, there's no reason why you can't achieve it on RC and SC.

And it might sound like pretty lame praise to say that you're "capable of reading at an elite level", but honestly, that's the single biggest hurdle on the verbal. Some people are just imprecise readers, and that's a challenge that can take a long time to fix.

The only big worry I have is that you're spending WAY too much time on verbal questions early in the section, and then you're forced to scramble after that. If that's because you're inherently a slow reader, then that's a huge problem, and a very difficult one to fix. My hope would be that you're just being stubborn when you don't need to be (OBSESSING over the last two answer choices long after it's time to move on), or that you're just not being systematic in your approach to questions. Or maybe your understanding of SC rules could use some work, and that will help you be more efficient as well.

Check out some of the links in my signature for more, especially those beginner's guides. You're obviously not a beginner, but I think some of the ideas in there will still be relevant.

Good luck with your studies, and congrats on that killer quant score!

AjiteshArun · Answer

With a 720, you probably don't have any major weaknesses. You might want to check whether your performance in SC can be improved and you could take a look at reducing the time you give to the first set of (verbal) questions. Go through your GMATPreps and see whether this SC score is normal for you. If yes, work on your concepts. SC is very "doable".

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

Charles, Manish, and Ajitesh - Thank you for your feedback.

Here're some more insights on my test performance. As rightly pointed by  GMATNinja , I spend too much time on the last two answer choices, trying to find out such minor differences as idiomatic usage, preposition usage, change in meaning, among other things. I am able to read and understand the sentence, perform elimination, etc. well within 60-75 seconds. However, I become extra conscious while picking the final answer, resulting in spending 2+ min of SC questions.
Surprisingly, SC is my strongest area and have consistently scored in 45-50 range on GMAT Prep and other practice tests. However, I became extra careful during the actual exam so that I do not miss a single SC in the first 1-20 questions.

GMAT Prep Practice Test Sectional Performances (Raw Score).
1. Sentence Correction 45 - 50
2. Critical Reasoning 40 - 45
3. Reading Comprehension 30 - 38

AjiteshArun · Answer

Yes, performance does tend to vary over tests, and if your SC went well in the other tests, I think you should continue to back yourself when it comes to SC. Do watch out for the "first X" mindset though. Unless you're talking about the first 36 (!) verbal questions, there's a very real chance that focusing on a particular subset of your exam could compromise your performance on the remaining portion. This is especially true at the higher score ranges.

If you can avoid checking every answer you're marking (anything more than what you do in your practice tests), you'll find that you are more likely to perform to your potential. I really think that now that you have a 720 under your belt, your next attempt will involve a lot less pressure. Keep at it, and all the best!

CAMANISHPARMAR · Answer

that's great  DisciplinedPrep  - you have saved a lot of your prep time since SC is already your forte!! You have already restrategized and have learnt from the mistakes you did in your first attempt. I wish you all the very best once again!!

gmatzpractice · Answer

Congrats!! Great quant score. Where are you applying?

ESR Analysis - GMAT 720 | Experts Please Help

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