Guidance on study plan post first GMAT

Question

Hi Everyone,

I am reaching out to get your thoughts on how should I proceed for my second attempt of GMAT, as I was not able reach the score which I had aimed in my first attempt.

For my first attempt, I prepared for 3 weeks as I thought it would be sufficient to get a score of 720. I started directly with mocks as it is more interesting than to study - although I did analyze my results post mock hoping that would suffice. Results for the same I have mentioned below:
GMAT1- 610(VA-24,QA-49)
GMAT2- 570(VA-20,QA-49)
MANHATTAN1-600(VA-28.QA-45)
MANHATTAN2-650(VA-34,QA-45)
MANHATTAN3-660(VA-32,QA-49)
MANHATTAN4-590(VA-29,QA-44)
MANHATTAN5-640(VA-34,QA-44)
MANHATTAN6-630(VA-30,QA-47)
GMAT attempt 1 -650(VA-30,QA-49)

Now for my second attempt, I would like to have clear path on how to proceed and would request your support in guiding in right direction. Below are the few gaps/confirmation which I would request your help to clarify.
1) The area which I would be spending time now on is VA, without putting much efforts for QA (apart from mock analysis). Hope there are no risks in that.
2) Another thing which I felt was manhattan VA is easy compared to GMAT, I know my score is more or less in the same region but that is because the max you can score in manhattan is 44 compared to 51 in gmat. Also while going through the real exam I felt VA is way tougher than what I had practiced in mocks. Are there any other mocks which have VA section closer to real gmat apart from gmat mocks.
3) Any books which I should go through for VA which would help in my score?

Thank you in advance for your help. This time out I would only go for the exam once I feel mock results are up to what I had aimed for.

Regards,
Shreya

ramlala · Answer

Hi  sd679

For Verbal you can concentrate on Sentece correction. That is the basic thing to get control over entire verbal section.
Also seeing the Quant score, you are sound with the basics. So only practice and error log analysis is required to get Q50/51.

Fluency in quant will help you in CR & RC.

All the best.

Russ19 · Answer

Hi

What materials did you complete so far for verbal? I recommend articles and video lessons of GMATNinja, and you might find the link useful: https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-nin ... l#p2396353

Good luck!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi sd679,

Since you need help with all aspects of GMAT verbal, I have a perfect article for you. If you have any questions after reading this article, feel free to reach out.

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Shreya,

First off, a 650/Q49 is a solid Score, so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

Since you have a great opportunity to pick up point in the Verbal section, continuing to study makes a certain amount of sense. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort yet to have scored higher. In addition, 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, most of your CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 630 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. Your Official Score is at the 'higher end' of that range, but we have to be careful about assuming that you would automatically score 650 again if you took the GMAT tomorrow. This is meant to say that while putting most of your upcoming study time into honing your Verbal skills, you should make sure to put in some additional Quant work as well.

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:

1) How many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

In addition, if you took your GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi Shreya, since you are considering a reattempt,  this article  will help.

Veenu21 · Answer

Hi Shreya,

I am in similar condition, could you please share the resources you are using now to prepare for second attempt.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Shreya,

I understand that taking mocks can be exciting but that is not the right way to prepare for GMAT. GMAT is a test which focuses on the application of concepts. So, your focus while preparing has to be more on the process of solving questions than on practicing questions. It's basically quality over the quantity. Let me help you here.

How to proceed further?  
Your Quant score is good enough. You have to make sure that it doesn't drop any further. Do not just analyze your quantitative section. Practice at least 5 questions daily so that you don't lose touch. Simultaneously, work on your weak areas in the Quant.

Coming to Verbal, focus on the module in which you are really weak. For example, if you are weak in SC module, then try to understand the reason behind making the mistakes. There could be two reasons:

Struggling with the concept 
 Struggling with the application of the concept

If it's the struggle with concepts, then revisit the concepts and understand them perfectly this time. If the struggle is with the application, then analyze the solutions of the questions in detail. Go through each step of the solution, identify at which step you are making the mistake, introspect what made you take that incorrect decision at that point of time and try to nullify the gaps. Let me help you with the right process of solving SC questions.

How to solve SC questions?  
Before you start learning, it's important to understand what is actually tested using the questions. For example, before you start learning the concepts of SC, you need to understand that SC questions on GMAT test your ability to convey the right meaning without any ambiguity. So, it's important to approach them from a meaning stand-point. You might have often come across answer choices which are both grammatically correct and convey a logical meaning but are indeed incorrect because they do not convey the intended meaning. So, the process to approach SC questions is to:

Comprehend the original meaning of the sentence 
 Identify errors if any (both grammatical and meaning wise) 
 Eliminate answer choices which either are grammatically incorrect or do not convey the intended meaning

You can go through the recording below to understand the process in a better way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SGA8bwFNJM

As you see, there is certain process using which you need to approach every module. So, try to learn the process, make sure you do not have any conceptual gaps and then move to solving questions. Initially, do not take timed quizzes. When you are learning the process, do not worry about the time. Try to use the right approach no matter how difficult it is or how long it takes. Only when you start getting decent accuracy, start taking timed quizzes.

How to proceed further?  
The right way to go about it is to identify your weak areas and then work on them. You can go through the recording below to understand the right way to improve your Verbal score.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOFbOXjw2wY

I can guide you in a much better way if you can provide me a few more details about your GMAT preparation. I would like to know more about:

your weak areas 
 your current study strategy 
 your approach of solving questions (SC, CR and RC)

You can write back to me here or a better way is to discuss the same over a call. You can schedule a call with me using the link below.

Click here to schedule a call

Guidance on study plan post first GMAT

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