ESR Eval - How to go from V42 to V51 - Official score lower than mocks

Question

Hi Experts,

bb GMATNinja ScottTargetTestPrep KarishmaB

I gave my GMAT last week and score 760/V42. In my GMAT prep mocks, I was consistently scoring between 47 to 51 in verbal. Even in Manhattan mocks, I mostly scored above V40.

I plan to give the GMAT one more shot in about 3 weeks.

Looking for tips on how to go about the same.

Thanks a lot!

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MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi cygnus87.

Any idea why you missed more questions than usual on test day?

One thought I have is that, in your preparation, you learned things that apply more to the official practice tests than to GMAT Verbal in general. That type of outcome is common because so much of what's said about the GMAT is based on what appears on the official practice tests.

To get to V51 next time, you have to develop greater consistency, and you may need to fill some knowledge and skills gaps as well. One approach you could take is to practice as many Verbal topics as possible using the streaks method and shooting for E M H streaks of 20+. If you can get 20 hard questions correct in a row for each Verbal topic, you should be set to score V47+ on test day.

Any time a question breaks your streak, you would figure out why you missed it and address the issue. Then, you'd attempt the streak again.

To learn how the streaks method works, see the later sections of this post.

The Best GMAT Practice Methods

Also, this video may be helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD0jVmMqGis

cygnus87 · Answer

Thanks for the quick response Marty!

During the mocks, I was able to pace myself well but in the actual GMAT I was running against the clock in verbal. It could be due to test anxiety since I take verbal first. Hopefully the anxiety would be less the second time around.

Could you please elaborate on this bit? ‘you learned things that apply more to the official practice tests than to GMAT Verbal in general.’

Thanks for your suggestion on practicing the streaks method. I am a TTP student, and I did practice that for quant. I will apply it for verbal as well.

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

HI cygnus87,

I see Marty provided some great advice. Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.

KarishmaB · Answer

In the next three weeks, review and relax in equal measure and enjoy the test. With a 760 behind you, you have no worries. That might be just the push you need for that 800!

Best Wishes!

cygnus87 · Answer

Attaching the ESR. If anyone can help me evaluate the ESR and guide on how to approach and prepare for verbal in the second attempt, it would be of great help. Thanks.

bb · Answer

Eeeehhhh 😳

I’m not sure that you need to retake and spend your money.

He probably made two or three mistakes in your test so getting a higher score is going to be very lock dependent.

I don’t know that it’s really worth getting a different shade of the 99th percentile on the GMAT. I’m not stopping you but I don’t think there’s much difference between 760 and 780 for example…. Both are 99th percentile.

Sure 770 and above will stand out but I don’t think they will add much in admission opportunities or scholarship consideration. 😇🤓

Posted from my mobile device

cygnus87 · Answer

Thanks bb . I totally get what you are saying. From what I have read, any score above 760 is more or less the same. However, I come from an over-represented pool, and want to make my GMAT stand out. A quick profile - 35 yrs, female, Indian, Engineer + MBA from a top 10 B School in India. Working in manufacturing since last 12 years (family-owned business). Due to some personal circumstances, I have decided to go for a second MBA from US. After the MBA, I want to get into consulting. My GMAT prep mock scores varied from 770-790 and I want to go for the kill (800). That's the reason I am planning one more attempt. I know it's a long shot, but I have nothing to lose

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Fair to say the scoring on Verbal at a certain point gets pretty steep. A V48, for example, is the result of a single incorrect counted question. Might be helpful to think over anything you did/approached differently on the exam compared to your Official Mocks in which you were "consistently scoring between 47 to 51 in verbal."

All the best.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

tejashendre · Answer

I am a TTP student myself can you tell me how did you go about your preparation as a working professional, I am using TTP for past 8 months and I completed the whole course, but still scored 460 on the official test. Your tips would be beneficial for my journey, aiming for 750.

cygnus87 · Answer

Hey!

Did you practice the tests given in TTP after completing the chapters? I felt that following their customized study plan was a good way to prepare, especially quant.

ESR Eval - How to go from V42 to V51 - Official score lower than mocks

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