GMAT Score 550 (Q46, V20)...arghh help!!

Find out how Beat The GMAT members tackled GMAT test prep with positive results. Get tips on GMAT test prep materials, online courses, study tips, and more.
This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 7:47 am
Followed by:1 members

GMAT Score 550 (Q46, V20)...arghh help!!

by deepsea13 » Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:38 pm
So, I appeared for my GMAT last friday and I got a disappointing score considering the amount of time I put into my preparations.
I will be re-appearing, not doubt about that and my score is a good indication of where my weak points are. Now, even throughout my prep, Verbal has been a nightmare (especially SC). I went through the Manhattan GMAT verbal books, did practice questions from the OG but something is definitely going wrong. My mock tests (GMATPrep and Powerprep)results will only go to back my poor Verbal performance. Yet, I went into test day with a positive mindset. My AWA and IR went off well, Quant started of well, but I think I messed up on a few tough DS questions, dealing with number systems. I even failed to finish the section on time,had to leave the last question as time ran out. Not being able to finish the section did put me off and lingered on my mind for quite some time.

Now onto the dreaded Verbal section. I felt clueless from the first question onwards. Things got worse when I got a couple of massive RC passages and then if that wasn't bad enough, I guessed through the last six questions without reading the question stem. When I appeared for my mocks, I never faced time constraints and on many occasions, finished well in time.

I knew I'd be taking a re-test the moment I stepped out. I've taken a weeks break to freshen up and give it another shot and take a slightly different approach this time around.

While I will continue to practice on my Quant. It's the Verbal part that's scaring me. I went through the Manhattan series for the concepts, and then OG for practice. What other resources can I use? I need a strong 30 day study plan focusing more on Verbal. Time shouldn't be an issue now. I can take off 3-4 hours on weekdays atleast. What I need is solid advice on how to tackle the whole Verbal section and a study plan that will help me do so.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:20 pm
Hi deepsea13,

If you can answer a few questions, then I should be able to offer some advice:

1) What were your scores on your practice CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?
2) Did you ever skip the Essay/IR portions of these CATs?
3) When did you take your CATs (relative to your Official GMAT)?

4) What is your score goal?
5) Where do you want to apply to school? When do you want to apply?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image