Some Advice

Question

Hello Everyone,

I just took my 2nd Kaplan CAT and got a 580 Q37/V30, my first I got a 530 Q35/V25.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice, on how to get into the 600s.


THX,


wiseguy

yb · Answer

I've also taken 2 Kaplan tests and have noticed that the verbal is quite different from that in the official guide. In fact, the RCs and some of the CRs are crap!! I took both sections but only focused on my quant score. I didn't bother going over the answers in verbal. 
Kaplan tests are harder than the real thing, but I think the math serves as good practice. I've been advised to disregard Kaplan scores, just use them for stamina-building.
To improve your score in quant, you must master the concepts, find your weak areas and practice them.

coffeeloverfreak · Answer

Kaplan's tests are great at breaking down the scores by problem type and by concept. The best way to improve your score is to review every question - including those you got right - and really get a clear understanding of the "why" behind it. Then, spend extra time studying the concepts where you are weakest.

Mick06 · Answer

If it is any consolation, I got 590 and 600 on Kaplan and got 760 on the real test. Kaplan is crap, the only questions that are seriously useful and the OG and official practice tests.

Mick

singh · Answer

use kaplan to your advantage. see it as an instrument to build your test stamina and dont take the full length test lightly.

Some ppl say that you can add 100points to kap score to speculate your real score ...so you see you are already near 700

HongHu · Answer

Find where you did wrong and where you could improve. There must be things that's easier to improve for you and things that might require a lot of work to improve. Work on the most cost effecient areas.

olorin · Answer

I have a question for yb (others can jump in too :wink:

) - I've often heard this Kaplan verbal is crap on the forums here. Are we only talking about the Kaplan Premier book (with CD) or are we including the GMAT 800 Kaplan book too in this Verbal estimation? Is the GMAT 800's verbal section any good in comparison to the Kaplan Premier GMAT with CD book?

wiseguy · Answer

If you get on to Kaplans website, they have retooled there CATs and supposedly are closer to the real thing.

I wouldn't do the CD, my guess is that the ones on the website are of better quality. That is not to say you won't get a good work out from the CD, but you'll get more opportunities from better quality CATs.

THX,

wiseguy

yb · Answer

Olorin,
 I have done the CRs and RCs from Kaplan 800 (haven't started SCs yet), taken all 4 Kaplan CATs (w/ the premier book), and have completed all the sections in the book. 

The Kap 800 CRs and RCs are quite hard but helpful. The CRs are long but really helped improve my ability to break down the argument (look for assumptions, flaws, etc.) RCs are not very long but are also helpful. I would recommend doing these.

The Verbal on the CATs (included in the premier book) was terrible. The RCs are often missing entire words or phrases, CRs involve too much assumption sometimes to reach the right answer (unlike the OG). SCs are a little weird and confusing: I have come accross "correct answers" that include "not only... not followed by "but also". I did Quant and Verbal on all tests though.

The following are my CAT scores. I don't know what to infer from them since they have a range of 70.

570 
620
550
590

So I guess you should focus more on how you feel when taking the tests (confidence etc.), vs. the actual score..

Hope this helps

olorin · Answer

Thanks yb for your detailed reply. Exactly what I've been looking for.

wiseguy · Answer

Do you guys think its more beneficial to use OG 10 or OG 11

thx,


wiseguy

Blue agave · Answer

I'm looking in the Kaplan website and cant find the CATs you mentioned. Can you tell me how to find them please?

ValleyBall1 · Answer

If you're looking for a sheer volume of questions, OG 10 is the way to go. If, however, you're looking for more quality explanations (especially for the verbal questions), go for the OG 11. One thing to note is that there is overlap between the two books.

OG 10 explanations match PowerPrep. OG 11 explanations match GMAT Prep.

Hope that helps a little.

wiseguy · Answer

KAPTEST.COM

wiseguy · Answer

I just took my 3rd Kaplan CAT and got a 570. Q37/V27.

KAP 1 - 530 Q35/V25
KAP 2 - 580 Q37/V30

I would like to break 600, but don't know how to do it. If anyone has any advice, I would surely appreciate it.

THX,

wiseguy

desiguy · Answer

Hey Wiseguy,

I'm sure you know that the Kaplan exams are a lot harder than the actual GMAT, and based on your scores, you seem to progressing very well. If you looking for a better indicator of where you stand, you should take the PowerPrep or GmatPrep. I woul say take the GmatPrep if you have already gone half way through the OG, since the questions repeat in PowerPrep.

wiseguy · Answer

The only problem with the GMATPREP is it doesn't give any answers, so there is no chance in learning from your mistakes.

thx,


wiseguy

desiguy · Answer

Though the GMATprep doesn't provide answers, you have the resource of the board to help you understand the questions and concepts. I noticed that a number of members (including myself) have posted Gmatprep questions on this board, and the response in answering questions has been exceptional.

wiseguy · Answer

HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD OF UPSTARTRAISING, AND IF SO ARE THERE TESTS ANY GOOD.

THX,

WISEGUY

bsmith75 · Answer

https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=19510 

B.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Some Advice

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards