Stuck at 550

Question

Hi Everyone,

I have found this forum very helpful. Not only does it provide you with in-depth GMAT discussions, but it's a great motivator as well. Thanks for all you posts.

I have studied for the last two months, I am quite good at maths and the verbal is no problem, however I seem to be stuck at 540, 550, 560... I don't know what to do anymore. I feel confident while I'm writing the Quant section, but my marks never go up. My weakest areas are Number Properties and Fractions, Decimals and Percents - so obviously I'll work on those...

My problem is that I think I'm not studying effectively and will keep making the same stupid mistakes especially on DS, which confuses me a lot...

Do you have any insights?

Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi uwevr1,

The type of problems you're experiencing with DS questions are actually quite common. Thankfully, DS questions follow predictable patterns, so once you learn the proper way to "see" (and respond to) DS questions, you'll pick up those points.

I'd like to know a bit more about how you've been studying:

1) What resources have you been using?
2) How many hours to you study during a typical weak?
3) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on each of your practice CATs?
4) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) each time?

5) What is your score goal?
6) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

uwevr1 · Answer

Hi, Thank you for the reply! 1) What resources have you been using? - I did all of OG13. First, doing problems and then checking the solutions. At first I didnt time it, but then started doing timed practices. I have also gone through the Manhattan books. I think I can use them smarter, since I probably cut some corners, thinking I know it all

I bought the Manhattan CAT's and wrote one every weekend before the test. 2) How many hours to you study during a typical weak? - I work full time, so if life doesnt get in the way, I put in 2 to 3 hours an evening and about 4 hours over weekend. 3) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on each of your practice CATs? 1 - Q33V28 2 - Q39V33 3 - Q39V38 4 - Q39V38 5 - Q37V34 (With IR) 6 - Q31V32 (With IR) 4) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) each time? - No, only for the last two CAT's. 5) What is your score goal? - I would love to get above 650 constantly and push it all the way to 680-690. I dont know if I can break 700. 6) When are you planning to take the GMAT? - I want to register for 29 May 2015. Thanks!

GMATPill · Answer

If you keep making the same mistakes - then it's time to open the door for a new approach - something that still works for you but makes you see DS questions in a new way.

DS questions are designed to twist your brain in awkward situations. But if you are able to identify the important areas, then these seemingly difficult DS questions can then become so much easier to comprehend.

Try taking a look at this sample DS video - see if our approach helps: https://gmatpill.com/datasufficiency/DS- ... proach.mp4

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi uwevr1,

With 2 months of additional study time, you can certainly improve your scores. Based on what you've described, you essentially tried to self-teach with a book-heavy study approach. This type of approach is problematic for most Test Takers (and they usually end up getting 'stuck' at a particular scoring level, which is something that's happened to you too).

To score in the high 600s/700s, you really need to know all of the patterns, tactics and secrets to the GMAT. Rather than try to discover all of that on your own, you would would benefit greatly from investing in GMAT resources that show you (and make you practice) all of these facets. We have a series of free Modules (including some DS practice) that you would likely find very helpful. Feel free to work through that free material, then reattempt some of the questions that you got wrong on these CATs - I'll bet that you can get many of them correct.

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

cfpenteado · Answer

Hello uwevr1,

I kind of identified myself with you. I am stuck on the same place for a while. I did an official GMAT couple of months ago and got an embarrassing 400, then I thought: "Hey, I am reasonably good at Math, at Reading and all, so I am going to fully study this". So, I started using MGMAT Guides, some random practice questions, question banks from Veritas Prep.

After 5-6 weeks, I did an entire Veritas Prep CAT and got a 560 (Q32 V35) and felt a little bit better with myself, but what bothered me was the percentile difference between Quant and Verbal. After that, I kept studying the same way and it took me 4-5 more weeks, but, sadly, got the same 560 (Q38 V29) on my second CAT. The difference from the second to the third, was a slight improvement on Quant, but a decrease on Verbal.

Since then, I have been studying using a Study Plan for Quant I found here (could not post the URL) and bought the OG 2015. Right now, I try to keep 1:30 to 2h of study per day, did the first 100 and start building an Error Log. I haven't had any practice or online lessons on strategy yet, I want to make some improvements and get the all the concepts solidified.

I just want to say that self studying is hard, I feel that quantity study is not necessarily effective, I need to have some guidance because we are no benefiting from a pre-formatted course and frame.

I try to keep myself somewhat knowing I will the so desired 700!

Cheers!

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