Need help with ESR Analysis and GMAT Strategy

Question

Hi,

I took my GMAT on the 4th of November and scored an abysmal 660(Q48 V34). This was my fourth attempt and I had scored 610, 650 and 640 respectively in my previous attempts. I need to take another attempt in the next 20 days because I have to apply for ISB R2. I have attached my ESR. Can you please guide me on how to about this improvement? I am willing to put in as much effort as is required. My target score is 720(Q50 V38).

I have solved multiple questions and analyzed them thoroughly. I have also maintained an error log. I am not sure where I went wrong. How should I go about practicing differently this time? I need to work on my mistakes and take a different approach this time. Please help me asap.

Attached is my ESR for your reference.

Also, should I get this score cancelled?

Thanks

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Working on time management may be helpful. You spent 1:04 on average per question during Q4 Verbal, for example. Perhaps using question/time markers may help. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit. Had a 6-hour student for example who went from a V31 to a V40 in about 30 days. Perhaps include working with a study buddy who is really strong on Verbal. There is a study buddy thread on gmatclub you could check out/sign up to.

5 Verbal tips

5 Verbal tips

Score-Quest · Answer

It looks like you've been hovering around the same score range, so it's definitely time to switch up your strategy. From your ESR, it's clear that Verbal is the area needing the most attention. Time management appears to be a significant factor, as spending too much time on early questions can compromise your accuracy and performance later in the section. Timed practice will be essential to improve this.

Given that the ISB R2 deadline is approaching, I recommend starting your application concurrently. Crafting a compelling application can take a month or more, so it's wise to begin this process now to ensure you can submit the most polished application possible.

Best of luck with your preparation and application!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Krishnahelps,

To improve your quant skills, you may find it helpful to engage in topical quant practice.

For example, let’s say that you want to practice Number Properties. You can do so by answering 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc.

After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, if you got a remainder question wrong, ask yourself why. Did you make a careless mistake? Did you not properly apply the remainder formula? Was there a concept you did not understand in the question?

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics.

Krishnahelps · Answer

Thanks for the response. Where do I practice questions from for a particular topic? Will practicing just GMAT Club questions work? Also, I am thorough with the concepts but somehow I am not able to apply those in a few topics such as- Number Properties, etc. Can you please guide me on the right way to master a topic?

Krishnahelps · Answer

KarishmaB , GMATNinja , other experts, please help me out. I do not want my dream of getting into my dream B-school get shattered because of a GMAT score

KarishmaB · Answer

In 20 days, you can see a decent improvement in both SC and CR in Verbal. Improving in RC will take more time. So I suggest you to go through test prep content of SC and CR to ensure that you understand the concepts well. Practice only official verbal questions after that. Depending on how well you invest your time, you are likely to see improvement in these two question types. You can check out my Trial package for free by registering here: https://anaprep.com In Quant, your problem is not the concepts but time management it seems. As you invest less time, you start making more mistakes. Do you use long algebraic methods to solve questions? To reduce the time taken, you need to switch your approach to more holistic methods. I have discussed many of these on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@karishma.anaprep

Krishnahelps · Answer

By carefully analyzing your mistakes, you will be able to fix your weaknesses efficiently and, in turn, improve your GMAT quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant topics. Thanks for the response. Where do I practice questions from for a particular topic? Will practicing just GMAT Club questions work? Also, I am thorough with the concepts but somehow I am not able to apply those in a few topics such as- Number Properties, etc. Can you please guide me on the right way to master a topic? KarishmaB , GMATNinja , other experts, please help me out. I do not want my dream of getting into my dream B-school get shattered because of a GMAT score

In 20 days, you can see a decent improvement in both SC and CR in Verbal. Improving in RC will take more time. So I suggest you to go through test prep content of SC and CR to ensure that you understand the concepts well. Practice only official verbal questions after that. Depending on how well you invest your time, you are likely to see improvement in these two question types. You can check out my Trial package for free by registering here: https://anaprep.com In Quant, your problem is not the concepts but time management it seems. As you invest less time, you start making more mistakes. Do you use long algebraic methods to solve questions? To reduce the time taken, you need to switch your approach to more holistic methods. I have discussed many of these on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@karishma.anaprep Thanks KarishmaB . I will go through the videos. I think that I use long methods to solve questions. Is there any collated document that can teach me the shortcuts? Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Krishnahelps,

I'm sorry to hear that your 4th attempt did not turn out better. Based on your 4 Official Scores, it appears that you have gotten 'stuck' in the low-600s to mid-600s - and that likely means that you developed some 'bad habits' during your earlier studies that are keeping you from scoring higher. If you ultimately "need" a 720+ to get into your first-choice School, then THAT Score Goal has to come first - and you might need to adjust your timeline and application plans. You will likely need more than just another 20 days of study to get to the point that you can consistently score 720 - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for - and before we get to the data in your ESR - it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) On what dates did you take your 4 Official GMATs and how did you score on each (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long have you studied in total? Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

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

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

KarishmaB · Answer

The important point to understand is that there are no 'shortcuts' if you are looking at a high GMAT score. The point is to get a conceptual understanding of the topics tested. Once that happens, most GMAT questions can be solved in under a minute using minimum calculations. You can call them shortcuts but they are based on your understanding of the concept. A document telling you to do this in such a case and that in another case will NOT work for higher level questions (for up to 500-550 level questions - sure)
So you should go through the entire concept content to make all the pieces fall into place and then most questions will be easy. I have compiled all my explanations of fundamentals in my content.

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