GMAT Math

Hi jwagner2718,

To figure out why you're unable to get past a particular scoring level, some analysis is in order. You have to look at HOW you're approaching questions and factor in a number of details:

1) How often are you getting questions wrong because of a silly/minor mistake?
2) How often are you getting questions wrong because you consider the question to be "too hard?"
3) Do you have a pacing problem in the Quant section (and do you have to guess on questions at the end just to finish on time?)?
4) Are you taking your CATs in a realistic way?
5) Are you taking your CATs in such a way so that you can maximize your performance?

I'm hoping that you can answer a few additional questions too:
1) What materials have you been using to study?
2) When if your Official Test Date?

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

Hi jwagner2718,

You've provided a great deal of useful information, and the "short" answer to your last question is YES, I think that you can hit your score goal on November 1st. Hitting your goal will depend on a couple of factors though. I'm going to work through the information you're provided, then have you do another CAT under some very specific conditions.

Right now, ANYTHING you qualify as a silly mistake is the BIG problem. The GMAT becomes really "sensitive" at the higher levels, so just a handful of silly mistakes will keep you from your goal. Thankfully, those should be the easiest things to fix. You MUST fix them otherwise you are unlikely to hit 730+.

A realistic CAT involves taking ALL sections under Test-like conditions (at a location other than your residence, on a desk-top computer, the same time of day at your Official GMAT, etc.). If you DON'T do that, then your score results become suspect and possibly "inflated" (if you skip sections, then you're not facing the "fatigue issue" that is a part of the Official GMAT). To maximize your performance, you also have to think about what time of day and day of the week you're taking these CATs. For example, taking a CAT in the evening usually DOESN'T lead to the best results because the Test Taker is a little too tired to perform at his/her best. Every person has a general "best time" to take a full-length Test - you need to figure out when that time is and take your GMAT at that time.

It looks like you've taken 2 of the 4 Official GMAT CATS. If you're comfortable with the expense, then you should purchase the 2 additional CATs. Take 1 of them IN ITS ENTIRETY (including the Essay) and put all of your best efforts into it (focus on eliminating the silly mistakes). That CAT result should provide valuable info on your true ability and what you'll have to work on in this last month.

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