FROM 390 TO 600 IS IT POSSIBLE IN 3 WEEKS ??

Question

Hi guys,

Here's my story ( for those of you who haven't read my other posts)

I have just taken my 2nd diagnostic test and scored the same score as 2 months ago 390 ( Q13; V28). 
Now, my test in in 3 weeks now and I'm spending minimum 8ha day for this prep. Is it possible to get 600. What minimum ( Q and V ) would I have to get?

Regarding my preparation I've definitely used the wrong technique and material (GMATH book instead of official or Manhattan) as I have made no progress in respect to the test.

Here's my plan ( tell me what you think ) :

- Focus on my weaknesses ( mainly maths related but need to jump V score too )
- Do a CAT test every other day and correct it the next day ( maths section with a maths tutor & verbal on my own).
- During the last week do to official GMAT PREP tests ( my only issue with those is that no detailed explanations are given so would need to go through with maths teacher).

So is it realistically possible to make a 200 jump in 3 weeks with the above method considering I'm spending 8h minimum a day? 
Would it be better to aim for a 500-600 score and focus on getting every basic concept right or can I aim for a very high verbal and medium math score to get an overall average of 600 ?? The V & M are equally weighted right?

Any advise would be much appreciated,
Regards,
Mass.x

nov79 · Answer

First try to understand why your math score is is so low: Is it because you make too many mistakes / wrong time management / many mistakes in a row / lack of knowledge. After you do that, focus on improving what you found.

bb · Answer

You are talking about 200 points of improvement. That's tough in 3 weeks. Very tough. See this table for how the scores fall in terms of V and Q: gmat-scores-83890.html

BM · Answer

Such a huge score increase in just three weeks is unlikely. You generally have the right idea (focus on weaknesses, math tutor, etc.), but it's still asking a lot to score a 600 in such a short timeframe. It's possible, but quite risky.

EBM · Answer

Don't waste time taking a test every other day--learn how to do the work. Memorize all your necessary formulas, all the algebra and geometry rules, learn how to break down and analyze an argument, learn how to spot sentence correction errors, etc. I mentioned it in someone else's post, but trying to improve a low GMAT score by taking tests would be like trying to improve a beginner's golf game by playing 3 rounds a day. You'd be better off going to the driving range and hitting a few hundred of each type of possible shot with every club in your bag...or in your case, learning how to work all the types of problems then working lots of practice ones so you can pinpoint your weaknesses.

You mentioned the Manhattan Books--use them. They will start you off with the absolute basics, but you'll learn how to do all the problems and recognize common patterns and disguises the GMAT uses to make easy problems look hard.

You mentioned the Manhattan Books--use them. They will start you off with the absolute basics, but you'll learn how to do all the problems and recognize common patterns and disguises the GMAT uses to make easy problems look hard.

PTK · Answer

Hi!

You may know: impossible is nothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkHmV0s3PjE&feature=fvst

You may achieve a 200 points increase (It took me about 3 months), but I am doubt whether you will be able to progress in 3 weeks when I have read this:

Quote:

I have just taken my 2nd diagnostic test and scored the same score as 2 months ago 390

.

So, you will need a 2-3 months of solid preparation to break the 600 level. Consider an on-line course.

Your verbal score may seem to be more or less good if you are an international student.
Your quantative score is very low, perhaps you lack some very basic math concepts.

Keep your error log, it will definitively help you.

To repond your question:

Quote:

What minimum ( Q and V ) would I have to get?

Read my thread and download the XLS table here all-gmat-scores-92159.html

for this:

Quote:

can I aim for a very high verbal and medium math score to get an overall average of 600 ??

No! Business schools are looking for balanced scores.

And this:

Quote:

The V & M are equally weighted right?

NO! Follow the link bb has provided you and you will see that percentile scale for Verbal and quantative score of 40 is very different.

Good luck and don't hurry up.

TwoThrones · Answer

Great advice!

wp06 · Answer

i would re-schedule, i think you will burn yourself out doing 8 hrs a day, you already missed most Rd2 windows, if possible why not pace it out, take an online course or in-person course, knock it out in 4-5 months and then apply round 1 next year

im sorry its going rough but at that crazy pace you will be burnt out and panicky and depending on your goals you can probably spare yourself that experience

donmass31 · Answer

the deadline for 1 of the business School is on the 31st of Jan so will have to take the risk & see if I get 500 plus at least. Does the score corresponds to the average of questions answered correctly in one partcular range ( e.g 500 - 600 )??

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

PTK · Answer

did you find the information about useful for you?! - if yes, read this https://gmatclub.com/forum/kudos-what-ar ... 94812.html you may risk and try. nothing will happen. No it does not correspond.

donmass31 · Answer

I see, the first questions in each section have a greater weighted average of the overall score / range right?

Also what kind of strategy or technique would you guys reccomend here's few strategies I come up with , tell me what you think?

Math part :

Strategy 1
1) Read Once the question and understand what is asking me for 
2) Make an illustration ( with data) or algebrac expression with data 
3) Solve the problem

Strategy 2
1) Skim read through the question to see what kind of area/ concept 
2) Read once more and take nots of data 
3) Solve the problem

Strategy 3 ( more time efficient but might be likely to make mistakes)
1) As I read take notes of main data
2) Understand what is the question
3) solve the problem

Also, would you reccomend to focus to get the first 24 questions right at a range between ( 300 - 600) would that allow my score to be within that desired range allowing that I do relatively well in the verbal. If you could give me some more tips on exam strategy and what different techniques I could use. You said that it's not about how many questions you get right in one desired range so how exactly do they calculate your given range then ? And to what extent do percentages ( or estimates) for the first few questions in each section affect your final result ?

Any tips would be appreciated guys,
x

EBM · Answer

I think you're overthinking this way too much. You don't need to have a defined strategy to apply to the whole test--different problems will demand different approaches. Have you picked up any of the study books (MGMAT, Kaplan, Princeton, etc.) or are you still doing nothing but CAT exams and OG problems?

You want to get as many questions correct as possible. You do that by quickly answering questions within your difficulty range and not wasting 5 minutes trying to solve questions beyond your level. Yes, the first handful of questions are important, but not important enough for you to spend so much time on them that you have to skip or rush through the last 5 in each section. There's nothing special about the first 24 questions in a 300-600 range or anything like that.

The score algorithm is pretty complicated and not worth worrying about too much. If you get a bunch of questions right, the upcoming questions will get harder to try to zero in on your specific score potential, but every now and then you'll still see an easy question thrown in. The opposite is true too--if you get a bunch wrong, things will get easier, but you still may see a 780-level question pop up. Your performance on the first handful of questions will likely set a ceiling on the highest potential score you could get in that section, but your performance on the rest of the section still obviously matters.

The bottom line is that you want to maximize your correct answers and make sure you don't leave any unanswered. You do that by being able to recognize what the question is asking and how it can be simplified...i.e. this one is actually just a confusing way of asking an "a squared minus b squared" question, that one is basing its conclusion on these faulty premises, etc. You do that by learning the basics of math and verbal cold so you don't have to struggle to remember your geometry, algebra, exponent, etc. rules and shortcuts.

donmass31 · Answer

I see your way of thinking once I have a solid base.. I can then recognize quickly what the question is asking and what answers I can eliminate.. by reasoning.

I'm using Manahattan & other CAT's available, a little bit of OG and the McGraw Hill as well. The first two are useful for practice and the last gives me clear explanations. Do you think I should replace the McGraw HIll with another preferred guide like the Manhattan to learn new strategies>? Or foucs on as much as practice as possible on CAT's and OG ?x

PTK · Answer

Please see these threads, they will help you to orient in your GMAT jorney: Study plan: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html?highlight=ml301 Best books(review): best-gmat-books-77703.html All practice tests: all-gmat-cat-practice-tests-links-prices-reviews-77460.html?highlight=ml502 One of the most realiable tests is GMATprep - download it from mba.com Gmatclub tests: hardest quantative problems for 48+ score https://gmatclub.com/tests/ On-line courses from different companies: gmat-prep-course-reviews-discount-codes-78451.html

donmass31 · Answer

Thanks for the links, will have a look now,

Is the AWA compulsory and can we skip it on the test day ? Also would that affect the final score? 
( the business schools I'm applying to do not consider it) just wondering whether it's worth taking it for future reference maybe.x

EBM · Answer

Again, I would say do fewer CAT exams and OG questions and instead spend your time going back through the books that teach you how to do the basics, and then work up from there. The main advantages of a CAT exam are to give you periodic diagnostics and get you used to the stress of 4 straight hours of heavy thinking. You've already done that several times over, so focus on learning now.

I wouldn't recommend skipping the AWA. It won't have any effect on your quant or verbal score, but it doesn't take much effort to get a 5.0 or higher, and you never know what schools you may want to apply to at some point. And even if a school says they don't consider AWA scores, I doubt they would look favorably on a 0 or 1.0.

vicksikand · Answer

I agree! Not considering an AWA 5.0 is different from not considering an AWA 1.0. It will just show that you cant write. There is no shortcut to success, no magic pills--structured hard work and a solid strategy are the only ways you can raise your score.

donmass31 · Answer

I see,

but is the AWA compulsory ? or can I skip it so I can focus my energy for theQ & V. 
you said that it doesn't affect the Q & V,what about the overall score?

vicksikand · Answer

No it doesnt affect your overall score, but it is highly unadvisable that you do that. Other members have clearly stated that in previous posts.

Posted from my mobile device

donmass31 · Answer

I see,

I 'm looking at some of the basic concepts from Manhattan and find it very useful.. I wish I used only Manhattan from the very start instead of other books.

Regarding the OG book is there any sessions I could skip or focus on?

Thanks !

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