GMAT Strategy

Hi Juanfer726,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your various score results show that you essentially performed the same way each time (+/- a few points). By extension, your current ability level is right around the mid-500s.

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 how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) Is your goal score 600+ or higher?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hi Juanfer726,

If you've been studying for about 10 days, then it's not surprising that all of your scores are so similar. It takes time to properly train and score high. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores - and while your goal score is fairly close to your current scores (meaning that you probably won't need 3 months of additional study) - it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort yet.

1) What is the exact submissions deadline that you need a 600+ by?

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

Hi Juanfer726,

At your current level, picking up 60+ points in 2 weeks will be challenging (but it is doable). However, you would have a much better chance if you pushed back your Test Date - even a couple of additional weeks of study could make a big difference. That having been said, you would likely need to invest in some new practice materials and put an emphasis on learning/practicing the proper Tactics. Given your Official Score, you could pick up all of the missing points that you're looking for in either just the Quant OR just the Verbal section.

1) Are you comfortable pushing back your next GMAT attempt a few weeks?

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

Hi Juanfer726,

Believe it or not, the good news is that you have only studied for 10 days and still managed a pretty decent GMAT score! Some students have to study for much longer than 10 days before they can score a 540 on the GMAT. Since you are scoring near your goal on practice exams, you have a shot of breaking a 600; however, you may consider rescheduling your GMAT to a date closer to December 10th, so you can give yourself about another month to prep (as opposed to only two weeks if you take it on the 21st).

In preparing for your upcoming GMAT, you might consider taking a structured approach such that you are able to practice and learn one topic about a time, so that you have clear grasp of which topics you understand and which topics present a greater challenge.

For example, if you are reviewing Number Properties, be sure that you practice 50 or more questions just from Number Properties: LCM, GCF, units digit patterns, divisibility, remainders, etc. The results of that practice will help you determine your weak areas within that topic. Once you find and fix your weak areas, move on to the next quant topic.

Follow a similar routine for verbal. If you are reviewing Critical Reasoning, for example, be sure to practice a large number of questions just from Critical Reasoning: strengthen and weaken the conclusion, resolve the paradox, find the conclusion, must be true, etc. The results of that practice will help you determine your weak areas within that topic. Once you find and fix your weak areas, move on to the next verbal topic.

Finally, assuming that you can schedule your GMAT for a later date, you may consider waiting a few weeks before taking additional practice exams. Use those two weeks to build up your quant and verbal skills, so that when you take your next practice exam the results will be more meaningful and will allow you to more accurately track your improvement. When taking practice exams, consider taking the exams offered by GMAC.

I realize you do not have a lot of time, so if you would like to have a conversation to further discuss your study plan, feel free to reach out to me directly, and I'll gladly hop on a call.

Great job Juanfer726! I'd be happy to provide some advice on what to do for the next 10 days, but can you update me on what you have been doing to prep up to this point? Do you have an unlimited number of hours to study between now and your exam?

Since you only have 10 days left, you may consider continuing with focused problem sets so you can find and fix any remaining weaknesses. When doing such problem sets be sure to set a timer so you can mimic the test day experience.

Also, it may be a good idea to take one last MBA.com practice exam to further track your progress. When taking the exam, try to replicate the test-day experience as much as possible: go to the library instead of taking the test in your house or apartment; be sure to complete all sections (AWA, IR, Quant, and Verbal); only take the allotted breaks.

Beyond that, I welcome you to read an article that has some more detailed advice on how to spend your final week leading up to your GMAT.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me directly, and I'd be happy to help.

Hi Juanfer726,

That's a fantastic improvement for just one week of study. I have a few questions about how you took this CAT:

1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take it at home?
3) Did you take it at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during this CATs that you can't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take this CAT before? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?

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