I keep gettin 570 in the Test Preps - Help!

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I need to get at least 640 - I've been studying for 2 months and my test is in a week and a half. What can I do to boost my score? Especially my math. And does the 570 represent what I am going to get?

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by beatthegmat » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:30 pm
Hi Eric:

Take a look at this post: https://www.beatthegmat.com/viewtopic.php?t=98 - it might have some useful information for you.

What test prep software have you been using to score a 570? A 70 point increase is quite difficult to achieve in a matter of a week and a half.

You might want to think about extending your test date by a few weeks and putting together a study strategy. Take a look at my blog (https://www.beatthegmat.com) for an example of what an effective study strategy could look like.

Best of luck!
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Thanks for the response

by Eric.Gaffney » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:16 pm
I got that score from the GMATPrep practice exam. I keep getting around that score. I really would be happy with breaking a 600. I understand all the problems, but I am just having a tough time with timing and knowing the shortcuts math. I just noticed all of those practice problems you had to download...will those help me? I get in the 75% in verbal consistantly and 35 - 40% in math.

Thanks for your quick response!

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Re: Thanks for the response

by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:03 am
Eric.Gaffney wrote:I got that score from the GMATPrep practice exam. I keep getting around that score. I really would be happy with breaking a 600. I understand all the problems, but I am just having a tough time with timing and knowing the shortcuts math. I just noticed all of those practice problems you had to download...will those help me? I get in the 75% in verbal consistantly and 35 - 40% in math.

Thanks for your quick response!
Hi Eric:

GMATPrep is the most accurate indicator of your score. It definitely seems that there is room for improvement in your math performance.

It takes a lot of practice to find a good test pace. I would recommend that you extend your test date out by a month, take LOTS of practice tests in simulated conditions (timed, in a somewhat public place, etc.), and go through the Official Guide, working on your timing.

If you need help with understanding math shortcuts, I strongly urge you to use this forum for help. We have a community that's willing to assist you.

Best of luck!
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Thanks!

by Eric.Gaffney » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:56 pm
Thanks for your help. Its great that you help out like this. I can't really post-pone the test though. I really want to make the Dec 15th deadline and the GMAT is that last thing on my list! Do you think my Verbal score is ok? Is it my math that is the downfall of my score?

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Re: Thanks!

by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:35 pm
Eric.Gaffney wrote:Thanks for your help. Its great that you help out like this. I can't really post-pone the test though. I really want to make the Dec 15th deadline and the GMAT is that last thing on my list! Do you think my Verbal score is ok? Is it my math that is the downfall of my score?
What's your score breakdown on your GMATPrep tests? Example, 35 verbal, 25 Math

Math certainly seems to be the area where there is the most room for improvement. Take lots of practice tests and work on your timing, and you may be able to reach your 600+ goal.

Best of luck, and don't hesitate to keep asking this forum for more advice!
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I think...

by Eric.Gaffney » Mon Nov 13, 2006 5:23 pm
it was 32 verbal and 32 math.

I'm going to take a 800Prep test tonight. I'll let you know what I get tonight. For studying I think I'm just going to focus on the math intensly.

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by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:03 pm
Eric:

Have you noticed any patterns of errors you consistently get in math? For example--do you consistently find yourself getting Algebra problems wrong? Or Word problems? Or DS problems?

I'm concerned that you aren't being tactical enough in your studies. Doing a bunch of math problems is useful to some extent, but being able to effectively identify your strengths and weaknesses and build a study plan from there is much more beneficial.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
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Scatterbrain

by Eric.Gaffney » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:02 pm
That's me. It takes a lot for me to focus and my thoughts are often all over the place.

I do very well in school 3.6 in undergrade in neuro! When I am presented with a certain amount of established material I do well. But I have trouble taking test like this - it seams like they are all over the place.

I took the GRE and got 610 and 610 (I didn't study for those though ...oops) and for me I was VERY happy with those scores. For me those were great scores.

I think you are right I need to focus on my weeknesses. I've found that I have trouble doing basic fractions and reducing huge fractions and with percent problems - I get them right but they eat my time. I have trouble with age problems and probability as well.

I just took the last of the 800Score tests. I got a 39 in math and 34 in verbal. It gave me 600! My math went from 35%tile to 51%tile What do those results mean? Before I was gett 540-570 with them. (I've been studying like crazy this weekend).

Thanks again!

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Re: Scatterbrain

by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:28 pm
Eric.Gaffney wrote:That's me. It takes a lot for me to focus and my thoughts are often all over the place.

I do very well in school 3.6 in undergrade in neuro! When I am presented with a certain amount of established material I do well. But I have trouble taking test like this - it seams like they are all over the place.

I took the GRE and got 610 and 610 (I didn't study for those though ...oops) and for me I was VERY happy with those scores. For me those were great scores.

I think you are right I need to focus on my weeknesses. I've found that I have trouble doing basic fractions and reducing huge fractions and with percent problems - I get them right but they eat my time. I have trouble with age problems and probability as well.

I just took the last of the 800Score tests. I got a 39 in math and 34 in verbal. It gave me 600! My math went from 35%tile to 51%tile What do those results mean? Before I was gett 540-570 with them. (I've been studying like crazy this weekend).

Thanks again!
When you go through the math problems that eat your time, be sure to spend extra time studying the explanations--try to understand the suggested strategies for tackling these problems, and be sure to commit them to memory.

For some handy shortcuts for math, I recommend that you download and review my flashcards: https://www.beatthegmat.com/viewtopic.php?t=32

A quick explanation about the percentile results. I'm not sure if this is what you're asking, but the percentiles indicate how your performance compares to all GMAT testtakers. For example, if you score a 50th percentile, that means that you have outperformed 50% of GMAT testtakers, while the other 50% of testtakers have outperformed you.

I hope this helps, good luck!
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Very Helpful

by Eric.Gaffney » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:16 pm
thank you!

Is the 800Score tests a good indicator of what you will get test day?

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by beatthegmat » Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:22 pm
I haven't heard good things about 800Score. GMATPrep is your most accurate indicator.
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Follow-up

by Eric.Gaffney » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:09 am
So I got the offical guide and I'm plowing through it. I'm on question 80. I've barely gotten any wrong though - and the ones I did get wrong - I really learned something completly new. And I'm working through it really quickly! So I don't understand why my math scores are so low. Is the GMAT Prep easier than the actual GMAT??

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by ianstrike » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:18 am
Eric.

The OG is organised by difficulty: easy questions at the beginning; tough ones at the end.

So in the OG's Problem Solving section, #s 1 - 80 are fairly easy. (#60 through #200 - ie the medium difficulty ones - are going to be more representative of what you will contend with on a CAT exam.
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Well...

by Eric.Gaffney » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:48 pm
To be continued then! I'll be doing a lot of work and problems this weekend of couse -despite Sunday being my Birthday!!! :( I'll let you know how the rest of them go!

Eric