Need Guidance Quant-URGENT !!

Question

Dear GMAT Experts

I have been using GMAT Club for a month now and am really thankful for the knowledge base & question banks that we have on the forum.
I have been preparing for the Quant for a month now, have completed below

Manhattan Strategy Guides:-

- Numbers
- FDP
- Inequalities (VICs pending)
- Word Problems ( Probability, Sets pending)
- Geometry ( co-ordinate Geometry pending)

I am planning to give GMAT in mid of Feb.
However I am struggling with Quant section . I followed BB's post and prepared the topics accordingly.
I started with sub 600 section and solved sums I was comfortable and moved on to 600 level.

I gave 2 quizzes on numbers (500 & 600) level on GMAT Club and scored 70%.
Time taken was 30 mins for 15 question.

My problem is I am not gaining confidence as I saw I got 4 wrong out of 15 questions on numbers 600 level.
I wanted to know if I am on right track and when do I start solving 700 level sums.
 
I make mistakes like- miss some info from question/ miss to calculate condition e.g if its y^2 then I miss that and just check value of y and conclude an DS answer.
How do I evaluate this though I am keeping track of mistakes topic wise.

I am planning to visit GMAT Club 600 level questions for all topics by 31 Dec and then planning to take math portion tests.
I am keeping Probability on hold since I am not comfortable in that now.

Just getting tensed and panicked if I am on right track. For Verbal I am going through the e-gmat course.

I just watch solutions by Bunuel which really motivate to go further however not sure if my Plan is on track.

Please help, really need some guidance & motivation!!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

I'd like to know a bit more about your overall studies so far and goals:

1) How long have you been studying overall?
2) Have you used any other materials besides the ones you listed in your initial post?
3) Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet (and if so, then how did you score?)?

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

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

seemachandran · Answer

Thanks Rich for your response

1) How long have you been studying overall?
- Actual efforts taken in December. Before that I had gone thru Quant concepts but hadn't practised problems much.
- I put 6-7 hrs of efforts daily 
2) Have you used any other materials besides the ones you listed in your initial post?
- I haven't used any other materials apart from the above mentioned
3) Have you taken any FULL-LENGTH CATs yet (and if so, then how did you score?)?
- I just took GMAT Prep 1. Got a 450 score Q29 & V22. I noticed my stamina is too low. This has improved as I have practised for a month now.

4) What is your goal score?
- Goal score is a decent score 680- 710.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

Using your CAT score as a 'gauge', you have to improve 230+ points to hit your score goals. This means that you'll have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Right now, you should be focused on the BIG categories and Tactics. Given what you've described, you'll likely need another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study time. You should also plan to take FULL-LENGTH CATs on a regular schedule (1 CAT every 1-2 weeks).

1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

seemachandran · Answer

Thanks Rich for the advise.
Planning to take GMAT by the end of March now since my preparation is taking long.
I would be taking full length tests every two weeks from now.

Can you please highlight on the BIG categories & strategies?

I am not applying anytime soon, it may take few years as well. I have 9 years of IT experience, any idea about the ideal GMAT score for a person with vast experience.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

Your last CAT was taken at least 3 weeks ago; have you taken any additional CATs since then? If you have, then how have you scored (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)? We need a more recent score as a way to gauge how your studies have been going since then.

Taking the GMAT at the end of March will give you a nice 'chunk' of additional study time, but you'll still have to accomplish a great deal in the next 2+ months to hit your score goal. If you're not planning to apply to Business School for a number of years, then you have the potential to increase your study time even more. This is important to establish because you might need that extra time.

The GMAT score you will 'need' will depend on a number of different factors - but the primary one will be the specific Schools/Programs you plan to apply to. Have you thought about which Schools interest you?

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

seemachandran · Answer

Dear Rich

Havent taken a full Length test yet. I was completing the Verbal Section using egmat.
Almost done except for RC.

Planning to take a first full length Quant & Verbal tomorrow or day after tomorrow.
Quant - I have completed all except probability & Perm Comb.
I had last given an inidividual mock for Quant on GMAT Club - score was 33.
I analyzed the results - Got the probability & sets questions wrong. Along with this few word problems were incorrect & I was struggling in word problems & few problems on absolute values.
Hence I was working on improving word problems,absolute values.
I was doing better on Numbers, FDP & Inequalities.

I am interested in executive MBA in future as its ideal at this stage of my career.Though I may delay MBA for few years , I cant delay GMAT as I have some personal commitments in future.
Hence I need to focus & work hard for next two + months & ensure m not offtrack.

Thanks for the feedback again.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

The GMATClub Tests are nice practice resources, but taking individual sections is not the same as taking a FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) under test-like conditions. When you take that CAT, it's important to make that experience as realistic as possible (take the CAT at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, take it away from your home, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here.

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

seemachandran · Answer

Dear Rich

Took a full length test yesterday. The score is 570 V 30 & Q 39.
Please advise further. I am yet to analyze my test. But I see mostly Algebra & Geometry questions going wrong.
Along with this two situations where 4 questions have continuously gone wrong.

Verbal - I see RC questions going wrong few SC & CR.I was struggling during RC as I havent completed RC studies yet.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

This recent CAT score is a nice improvement over your initial CAT score. With those Scaled Scores, you're making some silly/little mistakes (due to a combination of not knowing the content perfectly and your general organization/note-taking). When reviewing each CAT, it's really important to define WHY you're getting questions wrong. You've identified Algebra as an area that you need to work on, but defining what you need to focus on is a must (Content? Tactics? Eliminating little mistakes? Etc.).

1) Did you have trouble finishing any of the sections on time? Did you have to rush to finish any of the sections?

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

seemachandran · Answer

Dear Rich

Yes I am analyzing the test. Started with Word Problems section where there are maximum mistakes.
i.e out of 11 7 went wrong.
Mistakes are 1. Note taking mistake 2. Silly mistake in equation formation 3. Data sufficiency questions where I picked up numbers and missed few test cases 4. One of the Sets problem I couldnt think of solution but when I reattempted without looking at solution I was able to solve

I still struggle on timing area , I get tired during mid of Math section and loose patience when I see RC passages in Verbal.

Need to focus on above areas.

seemachandran · Answer

Dear Rich

How should I work upon timing issue?
I was thinking that I would focus on accuracy and bring up the scores on QUANT & Verbal by atleast 4 points and then train myself on timing.

I am practising word problems and I cant think solutions faster; I have some comfor level in numbers/fdp/inequalities but word problems & geometry is currently a challenge

On training on timing issue I am thinking I would give short timed quizzes and close the gaps slowly steadily

Thanks

seemachandran · Answer

Also to add planning to study probability concept this week, I havent studied yet and I simply wasnt able to solve any probability questions.

I am not at all comfortable in Permutations & Combinations so planning to skip it as Perm Com questions are rare on GMAT.
Kindly advise

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi seemachandran,

I agree with your idea to 'skip past' permutations, combinations and probability questions for right now. With a Q39, you're missing out on lots of 'gettable' points - by focusing on building those skills (and eliminating little mistakes), you should be able to make some big improvements in the overall Quant section, improve your pacing and pick up some points. You have to be sure to get in some Verbal practice too though - a V30 isn't going to be high enough for you to hit your goal score. To help with your overall endurance, you should plan to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) every 1-2 weeks. Take it away from your home and at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, if possible.

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

seemachandran · Answer

Thanks Rich.. sure will work on the Verbal section. Focusing on QUANT currently.
However I have a doubt on the OG problems
I had solved OG before covering the QUANT fundamentals in depth.
There are lot of OG questions and its simply infeasible to go thru it again atleast all of them.
My plan is to go thru the incorrect ones next month.. but are there OG problems on forum highlighting the important ones to cover before exam?

Thanks
Seema

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Seema,

You ask an interesting question about the OG. That book is a great source for practice questions, but you won't see any questions on your Official GMAT that look 'exactly' like the ones that you've practiced. The CONCEPTS that you'll be tested on will be the same though, so you have to learn to think about GMAT questions in terms of OTHER questions that they remind you of (how did you answer those other questions? What Tactics did you use? What mistakes did you make before that you WON'T make again? etc.). With a Q39, you shouldn't be focused on any material or questions that are too difficult right now - you'll see a noticeable increase in score when you correctly answer all of the 'gettable' questions. You will likely need to (re)learn some concepts/material/rules AND work on your 'precision' (your note-taking, organization, etc.).

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

seemachandran · Answer

Thanks Rich that helps.
I collect all the questions that i solve and take a note of concept or approach used to solve the same that helps during revision.

seemachandran · Answer

Dear Rich

Hope you are doing well!!
I gave the second test today after two weeks.
My curret score is Q45 V30 610. No improvement in verbal , I didnt practise enough as was concentrating studying fundamentals.

However Quant score increased. I am yet to analyze but it seems I made few educated guesses and got them right. 
Still struggling in Percent type of sums.

I would not be getting ample amount of time from now on as I would resume to work.
Can you please help on how should i maintain my study pattern?

Need Guidance Quant-URGENT !!

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