Stuck in 600´s after months of self prep

Question

Hi everyone,

I started preparing for the gmat last October at a local academy, but after a couple of very disappointing months, I decided to take a break and rethink my strategy.

I switched to self prep somewhere around mid February, and went through most of the Manhattan Prep books (with the exception of IR, CR and RC) and all the exercises in the 2018 OG + Quant Review + Verbal Review.

After all that studying and practicing I took two mock tests, and I’m terribly disappointed with the results:

05.05.19 Kaplan  : 660, Q44 V36 (I rushed through this test and ended up with quite some time left in the verbal section)
 05.19.19 GMAT Prep 2 : 640, Q44 V34 (This time I took way too long and couldn’t finish either section so I had to guess about 6 questions in each one)

I realize one of my biggest mistakes was not taking any mocks before, and now I feel completely lost as to how to continue with my studies...
I have about 4-6 weeks left before I have to take the test, so time is definitely an important factor (I haven´t scheduled a date yet, but I’m targetting top Canadian B-Schools and I´d like to take the GMAT before Ivey’s R3 deadline).

I think a good strategy and better time management skills might be just what I need in order to reach my target score of 700+ so I’m currently looking for some great online courses that can help me get there.

I´m evaluating EMPOWER Gmat (specially because of it´s Score Booster Study Plan) and Target Test Prep Flexible Preparation (Since my quant score is quite weak).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

bebs · Answer

Hello,

I’d suggest that you postpone your test date if you aren’t scoring close to your target score in the mocks. I am currently using TTP for a retake and it is looking great so far. You can’t go wrong with Empowergmat too. You can use free trials to evaluate the two courses.
Best wishes

mangamma · Answer

Hi, as per your mock score, you are doing good at Verbal. You need to improve quant score upto 50 then only you can able to reach 700 marks. I suggest you to try TTP for quant. It will definately help to increase your Quant score. all the best

Noshad · Answer

IMO, For quant ttp is more preferable than empowergmat .
Also you can consider gmatclub test for practice especially for math .

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Madrianzen,

Based on these 2 CAT Scores, you're clearly a strong critical thinker overall - and you likely know much of the content (including the 'math') that the GMAT will test you on, so your focus during this next 4-6 weeks should be on training to think strategically and learning to take advantage of the built-in patterns that exist in the GMAT. Regardless of how you choose to study going forward, you should plan to take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT each week (or so) until your Test Date and make sure to take each one in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have taken your next CAT, you should report back here and we can discuss the results. You can also feel free to contact me directly.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on your timeline and your goals:

1) What is the latest that you would take your GMAT?
2) What are the exact application deadlines that you're facing?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Madrianzen,

I’m super pumped to see that you are considering TTP! If you’d like to discuss the course further or discuss your study plan, feel free to reach out to me directly, and we can hop on a call.

Let’s do this!!!

Mcat2019 · Answer

Hi Madrianzen,

I am using Target Test Prep from last month and it is really great. The course is well structured and I am feeling confident with my quant prep by using TTP.

epiphany1 · Answer

Dont give Up in the moments of weakness. Try try again where there is a will there is a way.

Mcat2019 · Answer

Hi Arjungmat1,

It's really unfair to comment on someone's point like this. I don't feel it a point to justify my point to people like you but it is very imp for others to know its really not funny.

Though I joined in 2017 but had to stop my preparation for some personal reasons and now I am back with my preparation in full swing. You can even cross check with GMAT Club owners whether I have genuinely bought TTP subscription or not as I have bought it via GMAT club site and TTP is really the best.

It was a genuine review for someone in need as I have gone through the same.

What an irony you joined in 2018 and you also have only 1 post that to by posting it on my comment. What an important comment to attract your attention and compel you to write your only 1 post and look at your points history aswell as mine to show the intent. Nice

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Stuck in 600´s after months of self prep

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