640-650-third attempt target 700+ need advice!

Question

Hi all, I have been watching Gmat Club silently but now really wish to start a thread and ask for everybody's advice! my first attempt was 640 (mid-2011), felt it was not good enough, i rested 3 months and studied 3 months more, i attended my second attempt with full confidence that i would have 40-60 points more. but so disappointed that i only got 10 more for all that effort. i was almost to give up. but recently i was encouraged to re-take it!I really need your help to advise me how to study better. i am also considering some of the 50 points guarantee courses. Here is my case: 1st attempt: date: June'11 score: 640/74% (V30/56% & Q47/76%) :cry:

studies with: OG + 2small books of OG + Manhattan + Kaplan GMAT 800 + whatever GMAT questions/tests available online 2nd attempt: date: Jan'12 score: 650/79% (V29/53% & Q49/85%)

all of the above + Kaplan Premier for extra questions to practice in my 2nd attempt, i felt like i was good with all the "knowledge" i needed, and during the test, of course the questions were tough but i thought i found the right way to get the answer for most of them. it was really out of my surprise that i only got 10 points more!! I must have done something wrong during my studies but what? Can anyone tell me? :?:

mnazari · Answer

How did you study for the test? Your are quant score is fine, you need to work on verbal. Verbal is always tough. Try the powerscore books for SC & RC. If you want the 750+ score, you the lsat powerscore books for SC, CR, & RC. They will give the extra bump you need to suppress the 700 mark.

navylam · Answer

thank you for the book suggestions!
i can see my verbal is falling a lot behind Quant. i used the MGMAT SC guide, it is really great so my SC is fine. but i just learned that i have to be very fast in SC so i have time for RC and CR. RC is really the key problem for me!

so, in my case, is it better to sign up for a course or shall i focus on my weakness and study by myself with all free online resources (since there are a lot of resources available) would be suffice?
To my impression, most courses cover all Q and V, maybe i dont need for Q part. And I am not a good student for online courses (I am that type of people who need f2f interaction)

Btw, do you know how many points i need to score in V in order to achieve around 720?

Thanks a lot!

nt2010 · Answer

A 720 score would include verbal score of 37+ combined with quantitative score of 51-

The + and - represent some variability as verbal increases and quantitative decrease couple of points. Remember this is just a guideline and the official score ranges vary on multiple factors and one of the key factor is when you took the test..

I'm in the same situation as your are. Trying to cross the 720+ barrier.

For my latest attempt I'm using E-gmat verbal online.. but my challenge has been timing..

Hope this helps.

navylam · Answer

Thank you I will definitely check e-GMAT out! i heard good words about it for verbal.

:)

navylam · Answer

hi everyone here, as you know my last attempt was one and a half years ago. I did have an error log book that recorded all the questions i doubted or answered wrong.
for my new attempt i will certainly mark my errors and doubts again in a new log book.
but shall I still look into my old log book or just forget about the past and focus on my new?

navylam · Answer

And IR is new to me. i have seen what kind of questions are being asked there. I have a few questions hope someone can help:
1. does the score in IR affect my overall GMAT score? (because AWA doesnt so i doubt)
2. it seems to be very intensive (30 min for 24 Qns?), if it is not necessary to perform perfect there then i rather save some energy in my Q and V
3. any study tips or test-taking tactics?

Thank you in advance!

navylam · Answer

my last attempt was one and a half years ago. I did have an error log book that recorded all the questions i doubted or answered wrong.
for my new attempt i will certainly mark my errors and doubts again in a new log book.
but shall I still look into my old log book or just forget about the past and focus on my new?

navylam · Answer

IR is new to me. i have seen what kind of questions are being asked there. I have a few questions hope someone can help:
1. does the score in IR affect my overall GMAT score? (because AWA doesnt so i doubt)
2. it seems to be very intensive (30 min for 24 Qns?), if it is not necessary to perform perfect there then i rather save some energy in my Q and V
3. any study tips or test-taking tactics?

MzJavert · Answer

IR is scored separately. The score range is 1-8. https://www.mba.com/the-gmat/gmat-scores ... means.aspx

navylam · Answer

Thank you so much, do you have any clue to my other question about error log? :-D

MzJavert · Answer

I would take a good look at your old error log to brush up on where you were. Then start a new so you can track areas where you've lost ground.

rishavs · Answer

38-40 in V.
My score is 730.
49Q, 40V

As for my prep. I studied for around a month before the exams. I finished 60-70% of the question in the OG.
However, I gave 1 test every day for two weeks. That for me was the most important factor in getting a decent score.
Study materials are not that necessary. But your exam savvy and ability to categorize questions (with specific stratgies for each type) is more important, IMHO.
ofc that worked for me . your mileage may vary.

navylam · Answer

Thank you MzJavert for the advice！！ I think this sounds useful!

navylam · Answer

OMG you only studied OG and scored 730??? that's unbelievable!
I guess i need quite a lot of materials to boost my Verbal. i am not confident only doing OG...

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640->650->third attempt target 700+ need advice!

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