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May 0312:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
29 May 2009, 09:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi guys,
I need some help with the verbal section of the GMAT. I request the experts to pls provide some inputs.
On my first attempt i got 570 (V-22, 23 percentile; Q- 47; AWM: 5). I did very bad on the verbal section as you all can see from my V - score.
Books refered:
Princeton
Kaplan
Kaplan 800
OG & OG - V (both 11th edition)
Prep Test scores (In serial Order):
GMAT Prep 1: 550 (Q - 44; V - 21)
Power Prep 1: 560 (Q - 47; V - 21)
Kaplan: 540 (Q - 37; V - 23)
Princeton 1: 590 (Q - 44; V: 28)
Princeton 2: 610 (Q - 44; V: 30)
GMAT Prep 2: 690 (Q - 49; V - 35)
Power Prep 2: 730 (Q - 48; V - 42) -- Ended my prep on a high note. 10 days before the real GMAT.
Real GMAT: 570 (Q - 47; V - 22) -- Biggest disappointment. I thought i was ready for the real test but it back-fired.
I am retaking GMAT on 14 July this year and i want to give more emphasis on verbal section. I want to increase the verbal score by 12-15 i.e. My target for Verbal section is minimum 34.
I am sure that if i get 32 or 34 in verbal section i will end up with a much more respectable total (around 700+).
I am confident in Quant. My target for quant, this time, is 49-50.
Main problem is with Verbal section as my performance is not constant on this section.
As per my analysis of first attempt of GMAT, I have found the following problems:
> Speed: From the very start, I was very slow in the verbal section. I was taking more than the stipulated 1 min 50 sec per question because I founld the staring question to be some what difficult and i wanted to get the first 10 question right. I guess this didnt happen.
> Stamina: I was exhausted by the time i reached the verbal section. During my prep, i took 2-3 full length tests to buid up stamina for the test and i did quiet well on those tests.
> Concepts: Towards the end of my preparation i started solving questions from GMAT Sets and 1000 series. This was my biggest mistake. These sources are not reliable and even the answers are wrong. I started reading the explanation on forums and this made me even more confused.
By the time the D day came i was all confused. I was strugling with almost all the question.
On the test, RC passages were very tough. Got some 4-5 passages. I was prepared for 3. Time was running out for me. So i had to make a few random guesses to complete the test. I couldnt confirm the answer to the last question. I know completing the test is important but time just finished before i could mark the last answer.
In short,
My main problem is Verbal section, Speed and Accuracy. (I know nothing left)
In the end, I request the experts to give some of their valuable suggestions so that i can prepare well enough to get 32-34 in Verbal.
Also, I am planning to but the online test series of Manhattan GMAT as i am running out of prep material. Any suggestion on this?
P.S: I have kept track of all the errors on verbal section during my prep but it doesn't make much sense to me because my performance on verbal section is not constant as it is on the Quant section. I know this is strange but it is true.
I need some help with the verbal section of the GMAT. I request the experts to pls provide some inputs.
On my first attempt i got 570 (V-22, 23 percentile; Q- 47; AWM: 5). I did very bad on the verbal section as you all can see from my V - score.
Books refered:
Princeton
Kaplan
Kaplan 800
OG & OG - V (both 11th edition)
Prep Test scores (In serial Order):
GMAT Prep 1: 550 (Q - 44; V - 21)
Power Prep 1: 560 (Q - 47; V - 21)
Kaplan: 540 (Q - 37; V - 23)
Princeton 1: 590 (Q - 44; V: 28)
Princeton 2: 610 (Q - 44; V: 30)
GMAT Prep 2: 690 (Q - 49; V - 35)
Power Prep 2: 730 (Q - 48; V - 42) -- Ended my prep on a high note. 10 days before the real GMAT.
Real GMAT: 570 (Q - 47; V - 22)
-- Biggest disappointment. I thought i was ready for the real test but it back-fired.I am retaking GMAT on 14 July this year and i want to give more emphasis on verbal section. I want to increase the verbal score by 12-15 i.e. My target for Verbal section is minimum 34.
I am sure that if i get 32 or 34 in verbal section i will end up with a much more respectable total (around 700+).
I am confident in Quant. My target for quant, this time, is 49-50.
Main problem is with Verbal section as my performance is not constant on this section.
As per my analysis of first attempt of GMAT, I have found the following problems:
> Speed: From the very start, I was very slow in the verbal section. I was taking more than the stipulated 1 min 50 sec per question because I founld the staring question to be some what difficult and i wanted to get the first 10 question right. I guess this didnt happen.
> Stamina: I was exhausted by the time i reached the verbal section. During my prep, i took 2-3 full length tests to buid up stamina for the test and i did quiet well on those tests.
> Concepts: Towards the end of my preparation i started solving questions from GMAT Sets and 1000 series. This was my biggest mistake. These sources are not reliable and even the answers are wrong. I started reading the explanation on forums and this made me even more confused.
By the time the D day came i was all confused. I was strugling with almost all the question.
On the test, RC passages were very tough. Got some 4-5 passages. I was prepared for 3. Time was running out for me. So i had to make a few random guesses to complete the test. I couldnt confirm the answer to the last question. I know completing the test is important but time just finished before i could mark the last answer.
In short,
My main problem is Verbal section, Speed and Accuracy. (I know nothing left)
In the end, I request the experts to give some of their valuable suggestions so that i can prepare well enough to get 32-34 in Verbal.
Also, I am planning to but the online test series of Manhattan GMAT as i am running out of prep material. Any suggestion on this?
P.S: I have kept track of all the errors on verbal section during my prep but it doesn't make much sense to me because my performance on verbal section is not constant as it is on the Quant section. I know this is strange but it is true.
29 May 2009, 10:04
Kudos
Bookmarks
mbaMission
You probably had 4 RC passages, yes they know to be tough so it seems there's 17 of them, at least to me, especially on my first GMAT attempt. I took GMAT four times and had 4 RC passages each time.
Taking GMATprep on numerous occasions, I've sptted the pattern in RC appearing. Also, I confirmed this in my real GMAT attempts. In 95% cases, there will be 4 passages in Verbal section. Almost always they appear in the middle of the decade. For example, the first will appear somewhere between 4th and 7th question, second between 14th and 17th and so on (with +/- 1-2 questions).
When you are aware of this pattern, test itself puts much weaker pressure on you. You are almost "waiting" and anticipating next RC to appear instead to be affraid of it. That way I also got rid of the ugly habbit of non-stop staring into the watch. That way, I was able to do more effective pacing and answer each question.
29 May 2009, 11:27
Kudos
Bookmarks
Pathfinder_77
Yes i agree. I too faced the same thing. Pathfinder_77 good observation.
Though, It is possible to get first question from RC.
I hope not to see RC in first 5.
Surprises on GMAT happen occasionaly, so caution is necessary.
