GMAT Strategy

Hi src_saurav,

If you're 'stuck' in the 500s, then we have to take a good look at how you've been studying.

1) What resources have you been using?
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)? If possible, list them individually.

3) When you take your CATs, do you run out of time on any of the sections and have to guess on questions just to finish (and if so, then how many questions are you guessing on)?
4) When you take your CATs, do you finish any of the sections early?

5) What is your goal score?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi src_saurav,

I have a few follow-up questions about your CATs:

1) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each? (That information will give me a better sense of your current strengths and weaknesses.)
2) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Do you have to guess on about 8 question in EACH section (meaning 8 questions in Quant and 8 questions in Verbal)?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi src_saurav,

To best understand your situation, I really need specific answers to the questions I asked:

When you scored 600, 570, etc., what were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on EACH of those individual CATs (eg. 600/Q47/V26)? I want to track how your scores changed over the course of your studies.

When you say 'full cat MINUS that', does that mean that you did NOT do the Essay and IR sections? If that's the case, then you did NOT take the FULL CAT.

Considering your goal score, these CAT scores and assuming that you have NOT been taking the FULL CAT each time, you are going to need to invest some serious time and energy to raise your GMAT score to the desired level. You're also likely going to need to invest in some new GMAT resources. I would suspect that at least another 2 months of consistent study will be required. So a late September Test Date might be doable, but an October Test Date might be the reality.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi src_saurav,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +-30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how practice CATs function, your CAT scores point to a general ability in the mid-500s. Since these scores are spread over the course of 6 months of study, and they're fairly consistent, then it's reasonable to think that 'your way' of approaching the GMAT has gotten you to this level (but it's not going to get you any higher).

I mentioned in a prior post that I thought that you would need to invest in some new study materials. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at out site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then just let me know.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Keep in mind that the GMAT is a test of your math and verbal skills AND it's a test of your test-taking skills, including time management, endurance, mindset, etc.

If your test-taking skills are holding you back, then you need to work on these.

We have a free GMAT time management video at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gener ... es?id=1244.

As part of your preparation, work on adopting the proper mindset/attitude on test day. To this end, you may be interested in reading the following articles:
- https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/min ... -destroyer
- https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/jun ... g-big-gmat

It's also possible that silly mistakes are hurting your score. If that's the case, then it's important that you identify and categorize these mistakes so that, during tests, you can easily spot situations in which you're prone to making errors. I write about this and other strategies in the following article: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/articles/avo ... teaks-gmat

Cheers,
Brent