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17 May 2019, 04:45
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Sounds strange, isn't it? So, let me outline the main reason for writing this passage. This is strategy I had applied to achieve 620+ in GMAT.
Consequently, I will try to reason how you should behave if you do not want to follow this pattern and score like me.
Notice: there could be some grammar errors, sorry.
Here comes some info on my progress.
I am non-native speaker (Russian).
I have spent 1 year on preparation.
Material used
Quant: All Manhattan guides, e-gmat free-resources, Kaplan, multiple articles from gmatclub (my kudos to the experts!).
Verbal: e-gmat and Veritas Prep free-resources, Ron Purewall lessons, multiple articles on gmatclub.
Extra reading for shape-maintenance: for the first time The New York Times, then the-scientist.com articles.
Tests taken (only Official GMAC mocks included)
Mock 1. 640 (Q45, V32)
Mock 2. 570 (Q38, V30)
Mock 3. 650 (Q44, V35)
Mock 4. 620 (Q49, V26)
Actual Test: 550 (Q42, V23)
Mocks 3 and 4 were taken 1 week and two days before the actual test respectively.
Actual test taken at 16 May 2019.
Last info: in my city (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) there is no such a contest for business degree, so students applied to Masters programs with average 620 on GMAT.
This will clear for you why I was confident when I schedule my exam.
So, where is anti-tips?
Here they comes!
№1. Trust Official Mocks. They will show you your progress.
in my particular case, you can delete the factor of nerves on taking actual test, just because I take my test well-rested but tuned. I took some quant and verbal problems at the test day and some problems at the rest-day to stay tuned. My mind and my heart was cold indeed.
So, what was the problem?
I think, mocks mislead me. But let be careful of accusing someone/something (quite bad strategy). Let us look at the structure of the problem.
When I've got 640 at the second Mock, I was really happy. But lately, when I score 650 and 620 on other Mocks I could compare my ability. And I would confidently say to you that when I've scored 620 I know FIVE TIMES MORE that when I've scored 640. Where is the problem? The problem is quite simple: a bit of luck mislead me.
Now I remember that my girlfriend said to me "Minimal admission-guarrantee score for you is 720".
I said "Honey, easy! I am already practise very good! Let the minimum score will be 680".
So, she is right. The higher you aspire - the higher you reach.
Let me look from another point. As you can see, my latest mocks taken 1 week and two days before the actual test. They should be predictions of my score.
How to work with such a faulty expectations?
Let's look at mocks.
650 (Q44, V35)
620 (Q49, V26)
As you can see, me second quant is indeed high and (I insist) that is not just luck. This is the result of very consistent hard work on quant section. Yes, it does not fully reflect my ability, but it is not just fluke. We will elaborate it at the second "Anti-Tip".
So, practise some permutation. Let me show you the true range of my scores. What if we "minimize one value, maximize the other"? (Hi, Bunuel!).
Best is (Q49, V35) = 700
Worst is (Q44, V26) = 580
Next point is crucial. Forget about the best one.
Now you see how close "worst" score is to my actual test score.
Why it is crucial?
1) Little suspections that GMAC manipulate us by using too-easy mocks. We see our mocks, we think we could perform, we schedule the exam, we suck, then we retake. Double revenue.
2) We tune ourselves to the hard work when we see bad result. So, if my "worst" mock combined of the tho worst results of the two sections would be 700, could it reflect my progress? No doubt it could.
3) My own experience. "Worst" mock is quite close to the actual test result.
Please read this careful. When I talk about "worst" mock, I do not talk about real mock taken. I talk about the unreal mock, which result is combined from worst results of two consecutive mocks taken in a short period. It is not your actual worst mock.
Anti-Tip №1 Summary: try to hypothetically worsen the situation using "worst" mock assumption if you do not want to score like me.
№2. Elaborate on your weaknesses.
Good thing, isn't it? Now I think that the luxury of following this rule is applicable only if you get 90-95% accuracy in some kind of problems.
But the main strategy is like this: Have weaknesses? Man, don't loose your focus by concentrating only at the weakest parts of your knowledge!
Why I think so?
I am graduate bachelor in philosophy. So, naturally, verbal is my territory. You could think that I follow "quant attack" plan? No, situation is much more subtle.
Initially quant was a disaster for me. So I methodically follow theory-practise pattern and this works.
I put much effort to know everything about quant at GMAT. I follow my Error-log every day. I eradicate some crucial errors. And yes, I keep studying Verbal.
Two faults:
- No Error Log on Verbal elaborated. I simply solve tons of problems. Every time I solve some problem wrong I check the solution and think of why it it so. It helps, but... Let me speak frankly. Totally **** strategy.
- I learned Sentence Correction only at the last 2 months of Prep. It smells like GMAT 550, isn't it?
But yeah... I keep practising quant.
Great strategy, man.
Great fall.
Anti-Tip №2 Summary: Whether you good or you not at something, keep practising. Always keep the whole picture of your progress. Don't believe in so-called "progress" on mocks if it overshadow your weaknesses and makes you feel comfortable about your score.
№3. Practise every day and you will reach your score.
Just wait a bit. Practise what?
My study plan looks like
"today I make:
- 10 SC,
- 2 RC,
- 7 CR,
- 10 PS,
- 10 DS,
- read from 4 to 5 articles from the-scientist
- know particular aspects of (say) combinatorics from particular resources
- elaborate on Error Log"
I cannot say that study plans like those does not work. They does. But some little aspect.
I think there is two kinds of people. For some this will work. But not for me, despite of my great self-discipline.
The problem is in... my attention.
Could you remember I've said that Q49 was not a coincidence?
I really could solve really tough quant problems rated 700-level and 75% or 95% of difficulty at our forum. And even more, I could solve it in 2 or 2.5 minutes using our club timer. I switch the timer on. Read. Solve. Correct Answer. Sounds great, isn't it?
But what I mean when I say "I could"?
At the latest days of my prep I achieve about 70% accuracy at problems rated as 700-level in our forum. Not bad? Or just nothing at all? The second one. This is just start point.
If you need some interesting score on GMAT, it is not talk about "you could or you don't?". It is talk about your persistent accuracy.
70% accuracy at quant problems rated as "700-level" is Q42 on actual exam. You could not agree with me and prove it with your accuracy and your quant score.
But remember. All the people are quite different. And I am not an accurate one on quant problems. Thus I need something more than "practise every day".
Anti-Tip №3 Summary: If your nature is not inclined to some kind of problems, your aim is to develop an extra-accuracy at this particular type. Extra-accuracy involve something more than just keep solving problems.
Anti-Tip №4. Keeping Error Log is all you need to improve your score.
It is fault. As you can see, despite of my efforts of elaborating it every studying day, I am still 550-taker.
Hope my experience will help those who seeking for an outstanding score!) Maybe, some takers will change their strategy.
I am not devastated by my score. I always trying to understand such a cases as just... an experience.
Learning is impossible without experience, isn't it? Sometimes it is harsh, but it is a gift for you to become stronger (remember Nietzsche's aphorism).
Last point: do not let just some test rule your life perspectives. GMAT does not rule your future. Only you do it. At least, you know that successful people are not those who are clever or well-concentrated (what is tested on GMAT). Successful are those who see their problems and who are ready to face them.
It is just 1 year and 250$ lesson.
I hope I've learned it;)
Hope to see your responses and answer your questions.
Consequently, I will try to reason how you should behave if you do not want to follow this pattern and score like me.
Notice: there could be some grammar errors, sorry.
Here comes some info on my progress.
I am non-native speaker (Russian).
I have spent 1 year on preparation.
Material used
Quant: All Manhattan guides, e-gmat free-resources, Kaplan, multiple articles from gmatclub (my kudos to the experts!).
Verbal: e-gmat and Veritas Prep free-resources, Ron Purewall lessons, multiple articles on gmatclub.
Extra reading for shape-maintenance: for the first time The New York Times, then the-scientist.com articles.
Tests taken (only Official GMAC mocks included)
Mock 1. 640 (Q45, V32)
Mock 2. 570 (Q38, V30)
Mock 3. 650 (Q44, V35)
Mock 4. 620 (Q49, V26)
Actual Test: 550 (Q42, V23)
Mocks 3 and 4 were taken 1 week and two days before the actual test respectively.
Actual test taken at 16 May 2019.
Last info: in my city (Saint-Petersburg, Russia) there is no such a contest for business degree, so students applied to Masters programs with average 620 on GMAT.
This will clear for you why I was confident when I schedule my exam.
So, where is anti-tips?
Here they comes!
№1. Trust Official Mocks. They will show you your progress.
in my particular case, you can delete the factor of nerves on taking actual test, just because I take my test well-rested but tuned. I took some quant and verbal problems at the test day and some problems at the rest-day to stay tuned. My mind and my heart was cold indeed.
So, what was the problem?
I think, mocks mislead me. But let be careful of accusing someone/something (quite bad strategy). Let us look at the structure of the problem.
When I've got 640 at the second Mock, I was really happy. But lately, when I score 650 and 620 on other Mocks I could compare my ability. And I would confidently say to you that when I've scored 620 I know FIVE TIMES MORE that when I've scored 640. Where is the problem? The problem is quite simple: a bit of luck mislead me.
Now I remember that my girlfriend said to me "Minimal admission-guarrantee score for you is 720".
I said "Honey, easy! I am already practise very good! Let the minimum score will be 680".
So, she is right. The higher you aspire - the higher you reach.
Let me look from another point. As you can see, my latest mocks taken 1 week and two days before the actual test. They should be predictions of my score.
How to work with such a faulty expectations?
Let's look at mocks.
650 (Q44, V35)
620 (Q49, V26)
As you can see, me second quant is indeed high and (I insist) that is not just luck. This is the result of very consistent hard work on quant section. Yes, it does not fully reflect my ability, but it is not just fluke. We will elaborate it at the second "Anti-Tip".
So, practise some permutation. Let me show you the true range of my scores. What if we "minimize one value, maximize the other"? (Hi, Bunuel!).
Best is (Q49, V35) = 700
Worst is (Q44, V26) = 580
Next point is crucial. Forget about the best one.
Now you see how close "worst" score is to my actual test score.
Why it is crucial?
1) Little suspections that GMAC manipulate us by using too-easy mocks. We see our mocks, we think we could perform, we schedule the exam, we suck, then we retake. Double revenue.
2) We tune ourselves to the hard work when we see bad result. So, if my "worst" mock combined of the tho worst results of the two sections would be 700, could it reflect my progress? No doubt it could.
3) My own experience. "Worst" mock is quite close to the actual test result.
Please read this careful. When I talk about "worst" mock, I do not talk about real mock taken. I talk about the unreal mock, which result is combined from worst results of two consecutive mocks taken in a short period. It is not your actual worst mock.
Anti-Tip №1 Summary: try to hypothetically worsen the situation using "worst" mock assumption if you do not want to score like me.
№2. Elaborate on your weaknesses.
Good thing, isn't it? Now I think that the luxury of following this rule is applicable only if you get 90-95% accuracy in some kind of problems.
But the main strategy is like this: Have weaknesses? Man, don't loose your focus by concentrating only at the weakest parts of your knowledge!
Why I think so?
I am graduate bachelor in philosophy. So, naturally, verbal is my territory. You could think that I follow "quant attack" plan? No, situation is much more subtle.
Initially quant was a disaster for me. So I methodically follow theory-practise pattern and this works.
I put much effort to know everything about quant at GMAT. I follow my Error-log every day. I eradicate some crucial errors. And yes, I keep studying Verbal.
Two faults:
- No Error Log on Verbal elaborated. I simply solve tons of problems. Every time I solve some problem wrong I check the solution and think of why it it so. It helps, but... Let me speak frankly. Totally **** strategy.
- I learned Sentence Correction only at the last 2 months of Prep. It smells like GMAT 550, isn't it?
But yeah... I keep practising quant.
Great strategy, man.
Great fall.
Anti-Tip №2 Summary: Whether you good or you not at something, keep practising. Always keep the whole picture of your progress. Don't believe in so-called "progress" on mocks if it overshadow your weaknesses and makes you feel comfortable about your score.
№3. Practise every day and you will reach your score.
Just wait a bit. Practise what?
My study plan looks like
"today I make:
- 10 SC,
- 2 RC,
- 7 CR,
- 10 PS,
- 10 DS,
- read from 4 to 5 articles from the-scientist
- know particular aspects of (say) combinatorics from particular resources
- elaborate on Error Log"
I cannot say that study plans like those does not work. They does. But some little aspect.
I think there is two kinds of people. For some this will work. But not for me, despite of my great self-discipline.
The problem is in... my attention.
Could you remember I've said that Q49 was not a coincidence?
I really could solve really tough quant problems rated 700-level and 75% or 95% of difficulty at our forum. And even more, I could solve it in 2 or 2.5 minutes using our club timer. I switch the timer on. Read. Solve. Correct Answer. Sounds great, isn't it?
But what I mean when I say "I could"?
At the latest days of my prep I achieve about 70% accuracy at problems rated as 700-level in our forum. Not bad? Or just nothing at all? The second one. This is just start point.
If you need some interesting score on GMAT, it is not talk about "you could or you don't?". It is talk about your persistent accuracy.
70% accuracy at quant problems rated as "700-level" is Q42 on actual exam. You could not agree with me and prove it with your accuracy and your quant score.
But remember. All the people are quite different. And I am not an accurate one on quant problems. Thus I need something more than "practise every day".
Anti-Tip №3 Summary: If your nature is not inclined to some kind of problems, your aim is to develop an extra-accuracy at this particular type. Extra-accuracy involve something more than just keep solving problems.
Anti-Tip №4. Keeping Error Log is all you need to improve your score.
It is fault. As you can see, despite of my efforts of elaborating it every studying day, I am still 550-taker.
Hope my experience will help those who seeking for an outstanding score!) Maybe, some takers will change their strategy.
I am not devastated by my score. I always trying to understand such a cases as just... an experience.
Learning is impossible without experience, isn't it? Sometimes it is harsh, but it is a gift for you to become stronger (remember Nietzsche's aphorism).
Last point: do not let just some test rule your life perspectives. GMAT does not rule your future. Only you do it. At least, you know that successful people are not those who are clever or well-concentrated (what is tested on GMAT). Successful are those who see their problems and who are ready to face them.
It is just 1 year and 250$ lesson.
I hope I've learned it;)
Hope to see your responses and answer your questions.
17 May 2019, 20:03
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thank you for taking the time to post this. Out of curiosity, do you plan to retake the GMAT?
18 May 2019, 06:35
Kudos
Bookmarks
[url][/url]
Even with such a result I could be admitted if I concentrate on the admission essays, interview etc.
Thank you for attention.
ScottTargetTestPrep
Even with such a result I could be admitted if I concentrate on the admission essays, interview etc.
Thank you for attention.
