Need to improve score on Quant.

Pachyderm · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject: Need to improve score on Quant.

I took the GMAT a month ago after a couple months of sporadic studying.

The following are the materials I used:

1) OG 11 (Did 1/3 of it without timing myself)
2) KAPLAN GMAT 2006 (finished)
3) 1 GMATPrep CD test

Although I originally had plans for studying rigorously and taking practice exams under real test-like situations, it never truly came to fruition. Instead of postponing the exam, I decided to bite the bullet and see where I'm at.

To my disappointment, the following were my results:

Verbal: 40 (90%)
Math: 35 (45%)
AWA: 5
Total: 620 (76%)

I was mostly suprised by my poor quant. score, since I've done relatively well when I practiced problems at home. On the test day, I totally lost pace during the quant. section, ended up skipping problems and rushed through the end without answering a few questions. A classic case of time mismanagement!

Luckily, I was able to put most of it behind me when I got to the verbal section, but it was too late to salvage my total score.

Well, I'm planning to take another crack at the GMAT this summer. And obviously, I will work on relearning quant. fundamentals and pacing.

My goal is a 720 or higher. That would mean getting 5 more points on verbal and 15 more points on quant. I've ordered the KAPLAN 800 book and Manhattan GMAT's SC work book. Some of your posts should be of help, so Thank You!

I'd greatly appreciate any tips you might have to offer.
Eric, I reviewed your posts. Thanks! A question: I discovered that some of the tools such as Ursula's Excel Grid was no longer available on line. Would it be possible to get that from someone?

Thanks again!

beatthegmat · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:39 am Post subject:

Glad to see your renewed spirit to reach your goal on the GMAT!

Here's Ursula's Grid: http://www.beatthegmat.com/viewtopic.php?t=68

The resources available on this website still exist--check out the new GMAT Resource Wiki: http://www.beatthegmat.com/wiki/

Best of luck!

RachelAL · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:18 am Post subject:

Pachyderm,

You say "I was mostly suprised by my poor quant. score, since I've done relatively well when I practiced problems at home. On the test day, I totally lost pace during the quant."... did you ever try a full practice exam, or did you just practice problems? I think you just need to practice keeping the pace.

Tips (learned from MGMAT):
1) Get a stop watch and keep a time log for each question. You should time yourself one question at a time, and then maybe 15 questions at a time. This way you get an idea of how well you are pacing yourself.

2) TAKE PRACTICE EXAMS! And during these exams try to follow this time schedule:

Time Remaining Question Number
75 min
60 min 7-8
45 min 14-15
30 min 21-22
15 min 28-29
0 min 37

If you lose your pace, get back on track.

Hope this helps.