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zeniamehta
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 06:48
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Hello experts,
I gave my Gmat yesterday and I got a score of 680, which is disappointing for me given the fact that I was consistently able to score above 710 in Gmat prep mocks.

I want to give GMAT again in 15 days because I think I could do much better in Quant if I wasn’t so nervous.

But given my verbal score is 35, I guess there is lot of margin for improvement there.
In my ESR, I saw my SC and CR are both 94th percentile but my RC is 45th percentile...I got 4 passages (2 very hard) and I think that messed up my score.

Is this something that can be fixed by practicing a lot in the next 15 days?

Also, I am not sure where exactly did the faulter in my Quant section.
Could you please tell me from my ESR (as you are experts) where do I need to put in more work in next 15 days?

I appreciate all your help and guidance..
Thanks in advance.

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AjiteshArun
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 08:40
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zeniamehta
Hello experts,
I gave my Gmat yesterday and I got a score of 680, which is disappointing for me given the fact that I was consistently able to score above 710 in Gmat prep mocks.

I want to give GMAT again in 15 days because I think I could do much better in Quant if I wasn’t so nervous.

But given my verbal score is 35, I guess there is lot of margin for improvement there.
In my ESR, I saw my SC and CR are both 94th percentile but my RC is 45th percentile...I got 4 passages (2 very hard) and I think that messed up my score.

Is this something that can be fixed by practicing a lot in the next 15 days?

Also, I am not sure where exactly did the faulter in my Quant section.
Could you please tell me from my ESR (as you are experts) where do I need to put in more work in next 15 days?

I appreciate all your help and guidance..
Thanks in advance.
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You did very well in SC and CR.

As for RC, you will always get 4 passages. Was the 41% in RC a one-off?
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 10:18
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Hi AjiteshArun
Thanks for responding

This was my first attempt..

And I am not usually that bad in RC
Any way you suggest I can improve on it?
Thanks

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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 12:09
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zeniamehta
Hi AjiteshArun
Thanks for responding

This was my first attempt..

And I am not usually that bad in RC
Any way you suggest I can improve on it?
Thanks
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If RC is not normally a problem for you, try to pinpoint the cause of the drop (a topic that you were uncomfortable with, time pressure...) and work on that. Some (broad) good practices for RC:

1. Making notes (be careful with this one as it affects timing)
2. Keeping track of both time and the number of passages
3. Focusing on elimination
4. Sticking to the information provided in the passage

If additional time would help, you could try to squeeze some of that time out from SC.
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 19:03
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Hi zeniamhta,

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. Before providing specific advice, I’d like to learn some more about your situation with the GMAT. I have some questions:

1) How many practice GMAT tests did you take? Please list the dates on which you’ve taken any practice GMATs, the total scores, and the quant, verbal, and IR scores, as well as how you were feeling while taking the tests. Also, please tell me where these tests came from (ex: mba.com). Also, how were you scoring on RC on your practice exams/

2) Please describe how you studied. For how many hours a day did you study and for how many months?

3) To what programs will you be applying? What are the deadlines for these programs?

4) By when would you LIKE to take the GMAT? By when MUST you take the GMAT?

5) For how many hours a day, on average, can you study between now and your next GMAT?

6) In your opinion, how prepared were you for the GMAT? It's important that you answer this question as objectively as possible.

Once I learn some more about you, I can provide some further advice.
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 30 Dec 2018, 23:24
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Hi zeniamehta,

In a prior post, you stated that you had retaken one of the Official GMAC CATs on December 1st and scored 730. Have you taken (or retaken) any of the Official CATs since then? How did you Score on those specific CATs?

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your Official Score is in the same general range of your various CAT score results (about 700 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.

This 680/Q48 is a strong Score (it's above the 80th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. Thus, before you rush back in to retest, it would help to know a bit more about your overall timeline and goals:

1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 Updated on: 03 Jan 2019, 19:16
Originally posted by zeniamehta on 03 Jan 2019, 19:12.
Last edited by zeniamehta on 03 Jan 2019, 19:16, edited 1 time in total.
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi zeniamehta,
Hello Sir,
Thank you so much for replying.
Please see my responses in bold.

In a prior post, you stated that you had retaken one of the Official GMAC CATs on December 1st and scored 730. Have you taken (or retaken) any of the Official CATs since then? How did you Score on those specific CATs?
I took only 2 after you had suggested not to take exhaust myself before the exam.
I scored 720 , 2 weeks before the exam
I scored 740 , 1 week before the exam
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your Official Score is in the same general range of your various CAT score results (about 700 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.
Can you please suggest how can i improve on RCs, i have started reading a lot about US history, Physical Sciences..
I would say one of the passages that i saw on GMAT appeared to be difficult because i found the topic very boring (Something about Intellectual Property rights), even after trying so hard i could not focus well on the passage. How do i overcome these problems?

This 680/Q48 is a strong Score (it's above the 80th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. Thus, before you rush back in to retest, it would help to know a bit more about your overall timeline and goals:

1) When are you planning to apply to Business School? I am planning to apply this year 2019.
2) What Schools are you planning to apply to? Only Ivy league colleges (Harvard, Wharton, Chicago Booth, Stanford, Kellogg)

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 03 Jan 2019, 19:15
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AjiteshArun
zeniamehta
Hi AjiteshArun
Thanks for responding

This was my first attempt..

And I am not usually that bad in RC
Any way you suggest I can improve on it?
Thanks
If RC is not normally a problem for you, try to pinpoint the cause of the drop (a topic that you were uncomfortable with, time pressure...) and work on that. Some (broad) good practices for RC:

Yes the topic in one of the passages i saw on GMAT was very boring and i could hardly focus on first paragraph.
 I am not sure how do i overcome this ? Any suggestions?
1. Making notes (be careful with this one as it affects timing)
2. Keeping track of both time and the number of passages
3. Focusing on elimination
4. Sticking to the information provided in the passage

If additional time would help, you could try to squeeze some of that time out from SC.
Show more
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 03 Jan 2019, 19:23
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ScottTargetTestPrep
Hi zeniamhta,
Thanks for replying Sir. Please see my responses in Bold.

I’m glad you reached out, and I’m happy to help. Before providing specific advice, I’d like to learn some more about your situation with the GMAT. I have some questions:

1) How many practice GMAT tests did you take? Please list the dates on which you’ve taken any practice GMATs, the total scores, and the quant, verbal, and IR scores, as well as how you were feeling while taking the tests. Also, please tell me where these tests came from (ex: mba.com). Also, how were you scoring on RC on your practice exams/
GMAT Prep 1: 720 (Q50V38) IR 4 - 2 weeks before exam
GMAT Prep 1: 740 (Q50V40) IR 4 - 1 week before exam

2) Please describe how you studied. For how many hours a day did you study and for how many months?
I have studied for 6 months now, spending minimum 2 hours a day. 4 hours over the weekend.

3) To what programs will you be applying? What are the deadlines for these programs?
I will be applying to only Ivy league colleges this year 2019.

4) By when would you LIKE to take the GMAT? By when MUST you take the GMAT?
I do have 2-3 months more. Because application process won't start before April.

5) For how many hours a day, on average, can you study between now and your next GMAT?
I can study 2-3 hours a day and 4-5 hours on weekends.

6) In your opinion, how prepared were you for the GMAT? It's important that you answer this question as objectively as possible.
I think i prepared very well (definitely above 700) ,one thing that ruined first part of my exam (Quant) was my nervousness. That's why Q48 was disappointing.

Once I learn some more about you, I can provide some further advice.
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 04 Jan 2019, 13:26
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Hi zeniamehta,

I sent you a PM with an analysis of your ESR and some additional notes.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Need help analyzing my ESR: Score 680 V35 Q48 08 Jan 2019, 08:58
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Hi zeniamehta,

Thank you for the response. So, first off, 680 with a Q48 is a really solid score (only a 2-point drop from the quant scores on your practice exams). Looking at your ESR, it’s clear that Reading Comprehension was the main culprit for your score drop. The good news is that there is plenty you can do to improve your Reading Comprehension skills; however, doing so may take longer that just a few weeks. Would you consider retaking your GMAT at a later date?

In any case, here is some advice you can follow to improve in Reading Comprehension. When you are incorrectly answering Reading Comprehension questions, it’s partly because you do not truly understand what you have just read, right? Thus, you likely have to slow down in order to (eventually) speed up. At this point, your best bet is to focus on getting the correct answers to questions, taking as much time as you need to see key details and understand the logic of what you are reading. You have to learn to comprehend what you read, keep it all straight, and use what you are reading to arrive at correct answers. If you don't understand something, go back and read it one sentence at a time, even one word at a time, not moving on until you understand what you have just read. There is no way around this work. Your goal should be to take all the time you need to understand exactly what is being said and arrive at the correct answer. If you can learn to get answers taking your time, you can learn to speed up. Answering questions is like any task: The more times you do it carefully and successfully, the faster you become at doing it carefully and successfully.

Another component of understanding what you are reading is being “present” when reading. Don’t worry about how things are going at work, or what you will eat for dinner, or even how long you are taking to read through the passage. Just focus on what is in front of you, word by word, line by line. Furthermore, try to make reading fun. For example, even if you are reading about a topic that bores you, pretend that you are the person making the argument. By doing so, you will make the passage more relatable to YOU, and ultimately you should be able to read with greater focus.

One final component of Reading Comprehension that may be tripping you up is that RC questions contain one or more trap answers that seem to answer the question but don't really. So, a key part of training to correctly answer RC questions is learning to notice the differences between trap answers and correct answers. You have to learn to see how trap answers seem to follow from what the passages say, but don't really, while correct answers fit what the passages say exactly.

Also, you may find it helpful to read this article about [url=(https://blog.targettestprep.com/how-to- ... 0-on-gmat/]how to score a 700+ on the GMAT[/url].

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

Good luck!