What are my best next steps for the GMAT?

Question

Hi experts,

Long-term fan and also student of some of your courses. I am currently in a tricky situation.

I took the Official GMAT Exam in November 2023 and scored 570 (score not cancelled). Since then I have studied hard (~2 months) and am now testing at around ~660 - still short of a goal of 740+. I am still lacking the test day efficiency in Verbal Reasoning especially when it comes to Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction despite the efforts.

Originally, I was planning to take the exam on the 12th of January but at this rate - I don't think it is pragmatic to do so, especially if verbal section is not holding up. As such, I have two key questions:
1. Would it be better to hold off on prepare for the GMAT Focus? My initial thinking is that, (1) I am bad at Sentence Correction/Geometry and (2) I am better at Integrated Reasoning/Algebra. In addition, a short test would be less taxing.
2. Would a bad result on the OG GMAT (570) and then a good result on the GMAT Focus - reflect badly?

Thanks in advance for your time and efforts.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If you decide to retake the classic, consider checking out Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC and CR. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, working on your solving approach may help boost your score a bit. Had a student who went from a V31 to a V40 in about 30 days, for example. Perhaps include working with a study buddy into your prep. If you can find someone who is really strong on Verbal and whom you can help with other areas, that could be a good fit. There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub you could have a look at.

5 Verbal tips

5 Verbal tips

thedarkwolf · Answer

Hi ,

Why dont u consider giving a mock in focus edition and start ua prep ?

its difficult to improve ua score from 660 to 740

since u have prepared for more than a year just give a last try in classic if the scores go well +ve for u if not u have focus

All the best

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi OGorFocus,

Considering the classic GMAT will be gone in around 3 weeks; I think the move is to switch to the focus version.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi OGorFocus,

You shouldn't worry about this. Most schools are interested in only your highest score, and more importantly, if you haven't already sent your GMAT score to your target programs, they won't even see your earlier score when you report your FE score.

KarishmaB · Answer

OGorFocus Here If it is Classic GMAT online or GMAT Focus, you cannot cancel the score but you can choose to not send it to any school. The schools will only see the scores you specifically send them, not all your scores. Check out this official link: https://support.mba.com/hc/en-us/articl ... -My-Score- A bad result on a previous test and a good result on a current test will reflect very positively on your profile. It shows the intent to work to improve, to not get bogged down by one bad result, to carry on putting in efforts. Do not worry. Objectively, only your highest score is taken into account while considering your application. Check out this post on mba.com: https://www.mba.com/exams-and-exam-prep ... gmat-score

What are my best next steps for the GMAT?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards