480 (Q44 V15) to 540 (Q44 V21) - Not satisfied - Still On.

IcanDoit2

Hi everyone,

I took exam on April 10, I scored 540, This is improvement from my previous score of 480, I need to get 650, I am applying for a part-time MBA.

What I did this time -
a) Did OG11, Verbal review, Quant review.
b) CR powerscore bible.
c) Manhattan SC, word prob, num properties.

exams:

1)800score 4 exams - score around 550 - 600, focus was mainly on verbal, on one exam I got 38V- I was thrilled.
2) MGMAT1 , MGMAT2 - scores 570, 560
3) GMAT prep1 550, 570 (took two times)
4) GMAT prep2 560, 610 (took two times), I saw some repeats from OG second time.

I started preparation in Mid Jan, And had a very strict schedule, I worked 8hrs on weekend towards the end and 2 hrs during week day.
I work full time and sometimes it gets tough when I hit books. Verbal is my problem. I keep scoring consistently 44-47 in quant in practice exam. Well, their is scope for improvement in Math also, but Verbal is below par. I need to do something about that.

I am planning to take exam again - may be in a month. I need help to improve my verbal score. I have finished all OG material, and I know most of the answers so I don't think it is a good practice. Please recommend some strategy for me. What should I read now ? Is princeton a good book to start for the third time or Kaplan ?

To break it up

a) SC - I can still refer to OG 11 and verbal review - I donot remember every answer. But might need some fresh material.
b) CR - I remember most of the answers. I need some other material
c) RC - I need more material.

Well , besides above quantity, I need to formulate strategy. I need help on these:

a) Timing - How can I improve on timing. I normally run out of time around 28-30 question in verbal, I will have 4 mins remaining and 10 questions left.

b) How do I recognize my weakness - on some days I get all CR's correct, on some days I get 70% RC questions correct, they all vary based on the complexity of the question. Their is no doubt I need to improve on SC's.
Is their a way I can diagnose what could be my weak area. please advice.

c) How long do you think I may need to break 600 boundary ? I know this is a hard question, but any ball park will help.

d) What should be my practice tests for third time - I have taken gmat prep so many times, I keep seeing the repeat questions. Can you please suggest what should I do for third time ?
- I was thinking powerprep - any comments on that.
- I have 2 mgmat's left
- do you recommend taking kaplan and pr ?

e) I am really frustrated with my result. The amount of time I have put in is enormous, And I am not ready to give up.

f) My GPA in MS was 3.9 and back in engineering I was university topper. But I have been working in US for 13 years. So I am good at what I do. Just not in that gmat verbal mode. I speak and write good English, I have serious timing issues on exam, SC haunt me, RC I feel lost sometimes, I guess due to pressure of time.

Please help me formulate my third take. I am not going to give up, I am going to fight back till I get 650, I need your feedback and help.

Eagerly waiting for the response. This site has been enormous help, Great work from moderators and Stacy of Mgmat Kudos!! on your dedication to help.

Thanks
Icandoit2.