Please Help! I'm stuck in a score range

Question

Hi everyone,

Please help me out. I gave the GMAT Official Practice Exam 3 today. I scored 490. I was hoping to score better this time because I have been studying for it. I'm stuck in this score range. How can I improve? I need to score 600 above. Please help me guys. 🥺 I'm listing my scores below.

GMAT Official Practice Exam 3 490 (25 in verbal, 33 in quant)
GMAT Official Practice Exam 2 470 (23 in verbal, 31 in quant)
GMAT Official Practice Exam 1 430 (24 in verbal, 25 in quant)

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

For SC, memorizing commonly tested idioms may be help boost that part a bit. On Quant, seeing whether there are easier ways to solve the questions (i.e. using the answer choices to reverse solve) could also be helpful. You can also check out what others have done/used in the Share GMAT Experience subforum to successfully improve their score.

SC Idiom list

SC Idiom list

Archit3110 · Answer

overall your score is very low.. not clear from where have you actually prepared for the gmat exam.. books you should use be official guides, MGMAT , and gmat club tests....

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi RedMango , I understand your frustration with the plateau in your GMAT scores. However, rest assured that improvements are certainly possible with a focused and strategic approach. Let me delve into the specifics to ascertain the optimal course of action for enhancing your performance: Detailed Performance Assessment: A detailed review of your performance is the first step. Identifying specific areas of challenge within the verbal & quant sections will help you focus your efforts. Are you facing more difficulties with Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, or Critical Reasoning in the Verbal section? In the Quant section, are Problem Solving or Data Sufficiency problems more challenging? What topics make you feel uncomfortable ?

Study Resources and Review Techniques: Your choice of study materials can significantly impact your progress. What resources are you currently utilizing for preparation? Have you used the official resources? I also recommend a thorough review of your practice tests, emphasizing understanding the logic behind each question, particularly those you answered incorrectly. Time Management: Effective time management can often be a game-changer in GMAT performance. Are you struggling to finish sections in the allocated time, or do you usually have time left over? What skill gaps once closed can help you ace the time part? Your responses to these questions will provide a clearer picture of your current preparation state and enable us to develop a productive action plan. Please remember that progress may seem slow, but with targeted effort and persistence, achieving your goal score of 600+ is very much within reach. Looking forward to hearing from you, & helping you out

Devmitra Sen Head of Academics, Crackverbal Connect with me on Linked in Here

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RedMango,

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? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? Have you used any other “brands” of CATs/mocks besides the Official ones?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks?

Goals:
4) What is your specific overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

RedMango · Answer

Thank you so much for replying.

1. I have been studying for 3 months. During the first month I studied for 10-12 hours per week. I was studying for only 18 hours per week but now it's 30-35 hours per week.
2. First I was using YouTube videos for preparation. Then I did Algebra and fractions, decimals and percents from Manhattan Guide Books. Recently, I came across the GMAT official guide. I have started doing that. Before giving the test I did 30 easy questions from the problem solving sections. Most of my answers were correct, however, when I move to medium questions, I don't get all questions right. I haven't used any other brand other than the official ones that I have mentioned above.
3. Practice Exam 3 on July 26
 Practice Exam 2 on May 25
 Practice Exam 1 on May 11

I got conditional admission in MBA program. The condition is GMAT. I only have 2 more weeks to prepare. I want to score a 600.

Few things I noticed about my last practice exam I gave yesterday. 6/18 questions correct (problem solving), 12/13 questions correct (data sufficiency), 7/14 questions correct (reading comprehension), 4/9 questions correct (critical reasoning), 10/13 questions correct (sentence correction).

P.S. I'm not from a Maths background but I'm able to learn thing quickly.

RedMango · Answer

Thank you so much for replying.

I always thought I'm bad at sentence correction and critical reasoning is my strongest area but according to my last exam I performed better on sentence correction and bad on the other two sections. Similarly, I performed better on data sufficiency and bad on problem solving. Results are opposite of what I believed. I'm so confused. The questions that are given for practice under a certain topic are different from those in practice tests. 
It's difficult to solve questions in which we have to find n. Sometimes I can't figure out the topic of that question when I'm going through the questions after the exam. I'm able to attempt all questions whether right or wrong. While giving the test, I never get the feeling that I don't know this question, I just solve it.
I always solve the incorrect question after the exam. I get some questions right at that time.

I have used YouTube videos for preparation. Then I did Algebra and fractions, decimals and percents from Manhattan Guide Books. Recently, I came across the GMAT official guide. I have started doing that. Before giving the test I did 30 easy questions from the problem solving sections. Most of my answers were correct, however, when I move to medium questions, I don't get all questions right. I haven't used any other brand other than the official ones that I have mentioned above.

Thanks for the suggestion, I will try to work on it. I will review all my practice tests.

My time management was fine on the first exam. I messed up during the 2nd practice exam. I wasn't even able to complete all questions. I ended 5 mins early on both of the sections yesterday.

I only have two weeks and I need to score 600.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi RedMango.

You have made some progress from 430, but probably you should stop taking practice tests for a while and focus on developing your skills. You'll be able to tell that you're making progress by considering your percentage accuracy on practice questions.

The best way to develop your skills is to work on one topic at a time in the following way:

- First, review the concepts and strategies a topic involves.
 
- Then, do practice questions involving that topic UNTIMED until you're achieving high accuracy. (This is a very important step that many GMAT students skip.)
 
- Finally, work on reducing the time per question until you're correctly answering questions involving that topic at test pace.

Then, move on to the next topic and do the same thing.

For specifics on how to master GMAT Quant and Verbal, see these posts.

GMAT Quant Preparation: Top 10 Tips

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi RedMango

Thanks for the detailed response.
Can we have a 1-1 mock analysis on Quant?
Instead of giving blanket general responses, can we deep dive into the exact reasons of inaccuracy on the errors that you have committed and I would ask you a few questions on your prep, on how you "thought through" on the incorrect questions, questions to understand your decision making, to understand the strategies you adopted and many more !
My inputs will be directed towards helping you with a detailed gap analysis and next steps based on your timeline of prep.

All of this doesn't include any cost.
-You just need to have a self analysis of the mock and keep the mba.com dashboard open.
-Keep a pen/paper handy for taking notes/takeaways on the discussion.
-Use a system and not phone to join the meeting with me.

I would love to help you since I have already initiated a detailed discussion with you here.
Iam dropping my teammate Likkeshwaran's number- 9019199800
Please call on the number directly and give my reference for a mock analysis.
He will help set up the call of mock analysis with me.

Looking forward to connecting and helping you out!

Devmitra Sen
Head of Academics, Crackverbal
Connect with me on Linkedin here

Devmitra Sen Head of Academics, Crackverbal Connect with me on Linkedin here

RedMango · Answer

Sure, that would be great, thank you so much. I will get in touch.

RedMango · Answer

Thank you so much for the valuable advice. I will work on it

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RedMango,

That's great news that you've been granted conditional acceptance to this Program - but before we discuss anything else, we need to define the specifics of this situation:

1) What is the minimum GMAT Score that you need to apply (and are there any other conditions, such as a minimum Score/percentile in any of the sections?)?
2) What is the deadline to submit your GMAT Score?
3) If you cannot hit that required GMAT Score in the short term, would you reapply later on (and if so, then when?)?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

RedMango · Answer

Thank you.

1. A minimum score of 570 is required and no other specific requirements are mentioned.
2. 1st September is the deadline.
3. Yes, I will reapply, in the last week of August probably.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi RedMango,

I have a great article for you to check out:

How to Improve Your GMAT Score

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi RedMango, I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com www.empowergmat.com

RedMango · Answer

Thank you, I will check it out.

RedMango · Answer

Thank you <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/1f642.png" class="forumSmileyItem" width="20" height="20" alt=":)" title="Smile" />

RedMango · Answer

I'm very thankful to Devmitra Sen and the team Crackverbal for the detailed mock analysis. Thank you so much your valuable efforts and help

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