660...Devastated

Question

So I have been prepping for 3 hours a day for the past 3 months and was devastated when I saw 660 (Q47, V35) after taking the test yesterday. I felt that some of the CR and RC questions were tricky on the real test and that the SC was OK.

For the past 2 weeks I took 4 GMATPrep Tests and scored 750, 750, 720, and 780. When I looked up at my score and didn't see a 7 in the hundreds, I was crushed.

I took the MGMAT online course, went through all questions in the OG (orange, green, and purple) except for the CR and RC sections, and took 3 MGMAT tests and 6 GMATPrep Tests.

What should I do in order to bring up my score to a 700+? Are there any good ways to effectively bring up my CR and RC skills?

Please help!

Leopard · Answer

Check this out.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/t63752

MBA is for guys like us. We will do it.

bhatiagp · Answer

Hey Lionheart, your in exactly the same boat that I was in 2 months back. Same score and breakup, with similiar practise test scores.

In my case, it was timing in the final exam that crushed me. Working on that .

Try to be as active on gmat club .

Do as many GMAT tests as possible.

Dont study on the last 2 days ( That killed me ) Keep it as light as possible.

Reach the test center before time to avoid any anxiety prior to the tests?

Do your test with the AWA . Atleast do the background for the AWA, dont just skip it ?

Dont rush through your Verbal section , and try to complete it in time, not before time. Minimize time for SC.

Nihit · Answer

hmmm, I think the verbal is becoming more and more difficult.Best to prepare from LSAT rather than GMAT prep me thinks!

ko · Answer

So to be clear - were those last 4 GMATPrep scores (750, 750, 720, 780) all on retakes of the GMATPrep test? Or were they a first try on either of them?

Leopard · Answer

Lion Heart there is no direct and easy answer for getting a 700+ score. The reason is that only top 10 % of the people were able to achieve it. Number of hours worked does not matter. What matters is how you spent your three hours. I just realized that I must work on RC at the end when I tired. It will give me the exact accuracy level. (Good for my error logs). Also, Math tend to drain me out. So when you practice always go per plan. My best advice is sometimes (30% of the time), try solving CR, RC when you are extremely tried. Yes, even I had the same problem, just before actual GMAT got 50Q and 41V. But in reality, it was different (Reason : Even a couple of repeats will affect your score). Also, the mental drain is very high on the actual day. However, there are good chances that you may score 730 easily on other days (Which depends on your mind freshness). Quantity does not matter. Even I did the same thing, but it just burned me out. Focus on Quality of your preparation. There is a lot to improve here. Again, everyone is looking for this answer (including me). :shock:

But this is what I realized. 1) For CR, practice will help but focus and concentration plays a big role. If you have completed OG, try LSAT official Superprep or 1000 CR (if you have explanations). 2) RC is a different. One science passage screwed my GMAT (after I got a couple of bold face CR's). I am sure I got all the answers in the passage wrong. You must practice RC at the end or when you are tried (say after heavy food). No matter what, read "THE ECONOMIST" atleast 30 minutes daily EFFECTIVELY. 3) SC - It can be improved. Read all notes and practice. Participate in the forum. 4) Use OG effectively - What I am doing now is that I will ignore the correct answer, but will point out all the flaws in the wrong answers (This technique will be helpful if you know all the answers by heart). 5) Quant. It is my strength. If you need Q51, then you must prepare it wisely (specially DS). There are some good notes and practice problems in the internet. Note : Actually, this is an advice to me. Just wanted to share with you. Cheers! we will show who we really are! Leopard

lsuguy7 · Answer

Here is mine 8-t63878 640 to 710 between first and second attempt. Just regroup give yourself a break and concentrate on your weaknesses, if you want it bad enough you'll get there.

getafixdruid · Answer

Hang in there. You can do it.

Do the LSAT CR, Brutal and regular 1000 SC's.
Try to read a couple of economics/health/science passages each day from magazines or websites. From each passage try to understand what is the main point,what can weaken any hypotheses proposed,what can strengthen any hypotheses proposed,what is the mood of the author,etc.

“Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance”

jallenmorris · Answer

I find it odd that you're devastated and want to bring up your CR and RC skills when you skipped them in the prep. When GMAC says the test is weighted equally, they mean it. You can't skip prep on 2 entire areas and expect to get 700+ (unless you're just a rock star already at RC & CR).

You already know what to fix or you wouldn't have posted this message. Take the time, regroup, stud the CR & RC and get that 750 you're capable of.

j allen morris

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