I need a boost

Question

I've only been a member for a few days and am very impressed with the quality and skill of all of you guys. I may be lagging behind, but am still looking to you for some encouragement.

I just started to study and took an initial test, scoring an abysmal 400... I WAS SHOCKED. I am planning on 3-4 months of studying with the goal to get anywhere between 620-650. I haven't had any math IN YEARS and am struggling with the way the GMAT is wording its questions.

Is it possible to get a 200+ score increase? Who has done it, and most importantly, what do you (GMAT experts) suggest ought to be my course of action for achieving my goal?

whiplash2411 · Answer

First off, welcome!

A lot of people have had 200 point increases. I believe that bb, the founder, has had a 200 point increase. You might want to read through the following threads:

best-gmat-stories-period-98512.html

everything-you-need-to-prepare-for-the-gmat-revised-77983.html

lagomez · Answer

You need to learn the fundamentals. My recommendation is to purchase the Manhattan GMAT guides and learn all of them well. This alone would probably get you in the 500's. Then work through the official guides to get used to "official" questions. After that, start taking exams from Manhattan GMAT, Knewton, and/or GMAT Prep. Go over your mistakes on concentrate on the fundamentals.

York101 · Answer

Hi, I am not an expert on gmat but preparing for gmat just like you, and my first diagnostic was I think 440? I dont even remember the Q/V breakdown, I have MGMT guides and am scoring around 550, So 200+ point increase is definitely possible, try the following site for basic math refresher: https://www.khanacademy.org/ I actually view the tutorials first and then go to MGMT chapter, and this has helped me to move along much faster through MGMT Quant material. all the best for your prep!

VeritasPrepMimi · Answer

The good news is that it's much easier to raise a low score than a high score! Understanding what GMAT problems are asking you to do is a matter of practice and analysis. As you work through questions, be sure you understand why the wrong answers are wrong just as much as you understand why the right answers are right. That's a big component of studying GMAT style in addition to content. Best of luck!

believer · Answer

Thanks everybody, I really hope I can get to my goal of 620-650 within a few months or so.

PadawanOfTheGMAT · Answer

400 is just a poor score that denotes you were not prepared at all. With a bit of training you'll easily reach 600.

vwjetty · Answer

hey man. idk if i can be of any use but i was in the same shoes you were in a few months back. I got a 430 and now I'm averaging in the mid 600's and i take it for real in a few weeks. just goes to show hard work pays off. Get you some MGMAT books and Kaplan CAT's. Don't waste your CAT's and study hard. Takes notes. and use the error log.

lagomez · Answer

Kudos because I just read your Target Schools on your profile. I like that.

vwjetty · Answer

Kudo's to you just cause you read it. Although I'm sure there's probably others who have too and just snickered. Neither do I have the brains or the cash to be competing with the big dogs. Sometimes, admitting defeat isn't such a bad thing. After all, who said you had to graduate from a top school to work for goldman sachs :-)

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