How Should I Prepare for GMAT in 5 Months to Reach 635 - 655 ?

Question

Hi Everyone,
I recently took the GMAT Focus Edition and scored  495  with the following breakdown:
 
  Quantitative:  67 (7th percentile) 
  Data Insights:  79 
  Verbal:  78  
My target score is  635–655 , and I have  5 months to prepare . I’m looking for advice on how to effectively plan my preparation to achieve this score.
My Observations and Challenges:
 
  Quantitative Section: 
 
 I answered 15 out of 21 questions correctly but still scored only 67. I feel I’m not performing well on higher-difficulty questions, and I need to improve my fundamentals as well as accuracy on harder problems.  
 
  Verbal Section: 
 
 I feel relatively confident in Verbal but want to strengthen my skills in area like Critical Reasoning to maximize my score.  
 
  Time Management: 
 
 I struggled with pacing in both Quant and Data Insights, which may have affected my ability to attempt tougher questions.  
 
  Study Approach: 
 
 My previous preparation was inconsistent, and I relied mostly on solving practice questions without much strategy or review.  
  
If anyone has been in a similar situation or has insights on how to improve within this time frame, I’d love to hear your advice!
Thank you in advance for your help!

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi harveyMac,

V78 is a good base from which to aim for a higher score. Have you already identified specific weaknesses in CR, or are you looking to improve more generally?

HarshaBujji · Answer

For Quant you can start by revising the concepts and then do un-timed practice to improve accuracy. Once the accuracy is build then focus on the timing.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Ayeka · Answer

You can use GMAT CLUB FORUM QUIZ to create quizzes at different difficulty levels and increase the difficulty level as you improve.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi harveyMac,

Although I cannot give you an exact day-to-day study plan, I have some general advice for you on how to move forward with your prep.

Regarding improving your GMAT skills, my biggest piece of advice is to ensure you are studying topically. In other words, be sure to focus on just ONE quant or verbal topic at a time and practice just that topic until you achieve mastery. If you can study that way, you will start seeing incremental improvement.
 
For example, let's say you are studying Number Properties. First, you'll need to learn all you can about that topic, and then practice only Number Property questions. After each problem set, thoroughly analyze your incorrect questions. For example, ask yourself why if you got a remainder question wrong. 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 GRE quant skills. Number Properties is just one example; follow this process for all quant, verbal, and DI topics.
 
For some more tips on the best way to structure your studying, here is a great article:

For some more tips on the best way to structure your studying, here is a great article:  The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

How Should I Prepare for GMAT in 5 Months to Reach 635 - 655 ?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards