Is Study Plan realistic to reach 700+

Question

Hi all, I need help from experienced GMAT takers. I have 6 years of consulting experience and a GPA of 3.9 I took the GMAT two days ago and i scored 570 ( Q32, V36). I aim to get 700+ . Before i set for the GMAT, i used the following resources: 1- The OG 2- Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT 3- Kaplan 2006 I practiced for 1.5 months and solved almost 6 full practice CATS (3 from PR and 2 from Kaplan and 1 from PP). I plan to re-take the GMAT in 1 month. I added to my preparation toolkit the following: 1- the two additional practice books of ETS (the green and purple one). 2- The SC Guide of Manhattan 3- Kaplan 800 4- I plan to take around 9 practice full tests (3 from Manhattan, 4 from Kaplan, 1 PR and 1 PP). It is obvious that my weakness is the quant. I tried to buy the GMAT CLub challenges, but i was told by one of the GMAT Club team that i can't because i am Egyptian and the Pay Pal does not support payment from Egypt

( My first strategy is to focus on raising my quant score. If that failed, my alternative strategy will be to focus on getting a fascinating verbal score to make up for my weakness in quant. Now my questions are: 1- Do you think that my new study plan is realistic? Can i make a 120+ point improvement in 1 month using the materials stated above? 2- What can i do further to improve my quant score? Is there any tough quant practice materials other than the GMAT Club Challenges? 3- I read about a book called Winners' Guide to GMAT Math that focuses only on difficult topics such as probability and permutations. This is its link: https://www.my-gmat.com/WinnersGuideToGMATMath.html Has anybody tried it? Is it a good idea to purchase it? Many thanks for the excellent posts i read on this website

kidderek · Answer

One month might be enough to take your score from a 570 to 700 if that 570 was a diagnostic exam with no preparation. But honestly, it's not realistic. I have been studying on and off for about 3 months and just recently turned up my focus and have gone from 640 to consistently hitting 700. It took me a long time to do this and it will take me even longer to consistently score 20-30 pts above 700.

There are some major incorrect statements in your description. Number one, if you want a 700, you will need to raise both your verbal and quant score. I suggest you read all the stickys and many more of the other posts here on this wonderful website. The best quant material is Manhattan GMAT, bar none. Kaplan and Princeton Review are basically the same, except you get better CATs with Princeton. After that, I'd suggest the Nova GMAT review book. It is a step above Princeton Review. Then, move on to MGAT.

burningskulls · Answer

Yeah that is a big jump. You need to not only recognize that you need the score to improve. You need to be able to pinpoint the areas in which you need assistance (not just quant or verbal) and be able to focus on those areas. What concepts or types of questions are you getting wrong? If you kept an error log in your initial studies, it would be invaluable now. If you didn't, you better start immediately.

josh478 · Answer

Practice! 3-4 months for that jump (I am in the same boat, 590! But I am making progress). 

Don't just find your weaknesses, capitalize on your strengths: Q or V Get your BEST scores in your best subject... don't neglect practicing your strength areas.

Hard work, dedication, practice everyday. It isn't easy! 

All the best.

wessam20 · Answer

Thanks a lot guys for your valuable comments. i do understand that i need to work on both areas if i want a 700. I was just indicating that i feel more confident in improving my skills in verbal than in quant. 

Based on your feedback, i would rather not re-takre the real test before 2-3 months. It does not sound like i can hit a 700 in one month. But that would mean that i won't make it to the MBA class starting in 2007:( i never imagined that GMAT preparation would take at least half a year. I under-estimated the time of prepartion from the very beginning. 

By the way kidderek, i got three probability/permutations questions in my GMAT test, and i am sure i got them all wrong. Frankly, i was surprised how i got three of them while i am still in the late 500 level. I believe it is a myth that you only see this kind of questions in the 700 level. Can you please elaborte more on the Nova GMAT Review book? 

Many thanks

Wessam

Grooby · Answer

Do you know what schools you are applying to and what round you are applying for? If you are looking at 700+, then I will assume you are looking at the top 10~20 schools. if that is the case, i suggest you postpone the application for 1 year. This give you more time for both GMAT and your applications.

I am in a similar boat as you and decided to postpone mine for 1 year. This way I have more time for the application and also research what school I really want.

wessam20 · Answer

Hello Grooby,
I am glad i found someone who is facing a similar dilemma. My targeted two US programs are Wharton and Chicago. I hate to think that i have to postpone application to next year. I am already 29 and i really wish i can make it to the 2007 class. 

I dont know if it is a good alternative to apply in the third round at these schools to give myself more time to improve GMAT score. I know that chances of acceptance in the third round are slim; but what do you think is better: applying in third round despite slim chances of acceptance or postponing application altogether to next year?

kidderek · Answer

wessam,

If you are insistent on going next fall, you can go ahead and take the test, maybe you'll get lucky and hit the 700 mark. But if you don't, I would recommend allotting 2-3 months of intensive study before taking it again. As for the Nova book, it's a good tool if you have the time. Think of it as a more fleshed out version of Princeton Review. But if you plan on taking the exam soon, skip it and go for the MGMAT books. They are the best, especially for quant.

rhyme · Answer

You should NOT apply R3. Look at most schools and you will find specific statements that STRONGLY ENCOURAGE international applicants to NOT apply in R3. The reason is VISAs - the school needs time to get you an F1. It's also generally harder to get in on R3s.

Also, definetly consider ManhattanGMAT for verbal as well.

I underestimated the GMAT too, but for the sake of comparison - it took me about three months to go from 640 to 730. One month, I'm sorry to say, won't be long enough. Better to prepare well than to prepare poorly. Take your time, get it right, get your score, then worry about applications for next year.

usman7 · Answer

Hi Wessam,

Heres another person whose in the same boat as you are. I scored 550 in May 06 studying from OG 10 and Princeton review.

I started off again in late August and still am preparing- slowly n steadily.
This forum is great. I have improved on many points. my recent scores are 680 and 650 in PR tests but still know that im not prepared yet. As for the apps,...well if u wanna go to your dream school, one year delay is not a big thing I suppose. 

Best of luck with your prep. Keep visiting this forum....there are gurus here who can actually help you in n out with ur concepts.

wessam20 · Answer

Thanks a lot Usman7 and rhyme for your encouraging comments. You guys made me feel that i am not deserted in this GMAT marathon ... I will definitely consider Manhattan GMAT for both the quant and verbal, although the reviews on Amazon are not very encouraging especially on the quant books. 

Best of luck for you all

Grooby · Answer

Hi Wessam20,
 I am also 29 years old myself and I don't think postponing it 1 year will impact you that much. Many people also said that you have really 1 good chance to get into the school you want. The school really scrutinize you when you reapply the second time. Another thing is applications. I do not know if you have started your application process but it is, in some ways, worst than studying for GMAT. My last GMAT was 640 and my main weakness is verbal. i am giving myself about 3 months to work on my weaknesses and am planing to retake the exam next February. I am using the Manhattan SC and CR books and finding them very helpful (at least for my SC).

wessam20 · Answer

Ohh Grooby , really you are 29 too? I used to think of myself as an MBA oldie

Your words are assuring. Thanks a lot. Regarding the application process, i had started writing a couple of essays and contacted one of my referees but then lost momentum when i got the disappointing 570 in the GMAT. I really wish you the best of luck in your GMAT preparation. By the way, how many schools do you plan to apply for? WHat have you read or heard about the optimal number of schools in your shortlist?

Grooby · Answer

I am looking at around 5 to 6 schools at this point. As for the optimal number, I do not know what that number is.

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Is Study Plan realistic to reach 700+

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