GMAT Strategy

Hi,

Quick background -

I took the test first five years ago (just like that (= without stress), without much studying). Scored 730 (Q48, V42). The score is expiring, so I need to take it again since I'll be applying this year and I'm freaking out!

I've been focussing on math, but turns out that somewhere, somehow, my verbal abilities have take a hit.

Practice tests (over the last one month):
GMAT Prep 1 - 740 (Q 49, V 42)
MGMAT 1 - 5 All in the range of 640-680 (Q 45, V 37)
GMAT Prep 2 (today) - 740 (Q 50, V 40)

My target score is in the range of 730 - 770. Problem is that I haven't studied ANY verbal and have been focussing on quant. I feel like at this point, I will need to study on verbal to get that last push on my score, but my GMAT is only THREE DAYS away!

Could someone please recommend any quick Verbal strategies/ tips to help/ any post that'll help? I also have OG 13 and the Manhattan guides and obviously the internet.

Thanks A TON in advance <3

Hellooooo. While I can understand why you would want to just get the test taken care of this time, unless you will be dead flat broke after taking it, you can sign up and take it again in a few weeks.

Still, here are some posts that I have written on increasing one's GMAT verbal score. Might as well seek to get it done.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/how-do-i-mas ... 88121.html

https://infinitemindprep.com/on-the-gmat ... ogic-rule/

https://www.beatthegmat.com/how-to-bette ... tml#763603

https://www.beatthegmat.com/struggling-w ... tml#759742

https://www.beatthegmat.com/an-alternati ... tml#739859

In the last post, I mentioned determination. I have found that sheer determination to not get tricked and to get the right answers can make a big difference in one's performance on GMAT verbal. I think that in three days you can make some nice progress. You mostly just have to get better at seeing what you have to see.

My take: go through your practice tests and look for two concrete things you can improve on, no more. Maybe you get too focused on grammar in Sentence Correction and you need to remember to read the entire sentence and make sure it makes logical sense before you select it. Maybe you occasionally forget to check on modifier placement, etc. Maybe in RC, you occasionally select an answer before finding textual evidence to support it. Once you find those two things, you're done. And then, as Marty said, make sure you stay locked in on test day. Sometimes the additional adrenaline serves to heighten our focus.

DavidG@VeritasPrep wrote:My take: go through your practice tests and look for two concrete things you can improve on, no more. Maybe you get too focused on grammar in Sentence Correction and you need to remember to read the entire sentence and make sure it makes logical sense before you select it. Maybe you occasionally forget to check on modifier placement, etc. Maybe in RC, you occasionally select an answer before finding textual evidence to support it. Once you find those two things, you're done. And then, as Marty said, make sure you stay locked in on test day. Sometimes the additional adrenaline serves to heighten our focus.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. It makes sense! I agree that SC is an area I can gain some ground in quickly. I tried going through my CATs, but they were pretty spread out in terms of errors. So, I guess my specific question is which are the 2-3 SC aspects you think I should focus on or rather, which are the 2-3 that tend to get tested the most/tend to have highest error rates?

Thanks in advance!

anathagenzum wrote:

DavidG@VeritasPrep wrote:My take: go through your practice tests and look for two concrete things you can improve on, no more. Maybe you get too focused on grammar in Sentence Correction and you need to remember to read the entire sentence and make sure it makes logical sense before you select it. Maybe you occasionally forget to check on modifier placement, etc. Maybe in RC, you occasionally select an answer before finding textual evidence to support it. Once you find those two things, you're done. And then, as Marty said, make sure you stay locked in on test day. Sometimes the additional adrenaline serves to heighten our focus.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the advice. It makes sense! I agree that SC is an area I can gain some ground in quickly. I tried going through my CATs, but they were pretty spread out in terms of errors. So, I guess my specific question is which are the 2-3 SC aspects you think I should focus on or rather, which are the 2-3 that tend to get tested the most/tend to have highest error rates?

Thanks in advance!

My sense is that the three most common SC issues my students have are:

1) Logic/meaning: The correct answer must be logical if read literally, so be careful about selecting something that is grammatically correct but logically incoherent
2) Placement of modifiers: a modifier should generally be as close as possible to the thing it modifies
3) Parallel construction: recognize the classic parallel markers (both x and y, not only x but also y, etc.)