Need new strategy. PLEASE ASSIST

[ABMK]

Hi.
I have a very unfortunatelt story about my GMAT experience. I have taken test a few times and did not achieve a desired score. Yet again i have started studying for the test this summer. I am hoping to take the test at teh end of August. I have in the past studied with PR and Kaplan and even had a private tutor, but something is still wrong. I am not sure, still, as to where i fail each time, but it is uneasy to realize that i know the material (or so i think) and that the score is never satisfactory.
If someone has a strategy or books to use i would really appreciate any guidance.

kind regards,

[ABMK]

Sorry i forgot to mention that i am a non-native speaker hence verbal has been the weakest part. I did buy all reccomended books from "reflecting on my GMAT experience". BTW i could not open the Excel grid referred to as very useful (initially created by Ursula). If someone can assist with that i would appreciate it.

Thanks a lot.

[beatthegmat]

Hi ABMK:

Welcome to the Beat The GMAT Community!

I'm sorry to hear about all your troubles with the GMAT. Let's start with some baseline info: what did you get on your last GMAT, and what is your desired score.

By the way, Ursula's grid can be found on https://www.beatthegmat.com/wiki/

[ABMK]

Hi. Well i ahve taken it 5 times. The last time was MAy 5 and i got 480. This has been the highest. Before the real test i took PR and KAPLAN and my scores were 580-600. BUt when it gets to real thing i get 420, 430 or the latest one.

((((

[ABMK]

forgot to mention that my desired score is hopefully around 650-680. This is the average for the school i am trying to get into. I ahve a strong pacakge and solid recommendation letters paired wiht great work experience it is just GMAT been holding me back substantially.

[beatthegmat]

forgot to mention that my desired score is hopefully around 650-680. This is the average for the school i am trying to get into. I ahve a strong pacakge and solid recommendation letters paired wiht great work experience it is just GMAT been holding me back substantially.

Keep in mind that the GMAT is just one factor that admissions committees consider. If you have a solid package in other areas, you don't necessarily have to get a 650 to get admitted.

That being said, your goal to achieve a 200 point increase on the GMAT is going to be tough--especially if you've taken the GMAT several times already and haven't seen much improvement.

What do you see your weaknesses being right now on the test? Are you struggling on a particular subject? What do you think is preventing you from achieving your target score?

[ABMK]

well i thought so also. But when i applied last year with the great package the school did not take me because of GMAT score. and i understand them. MY score will affect the stats, like average gmat score of the class . so here is the struggle with many books and tutots and strategies. Yours seemed thorough, and i thought maybe wiht your help i can guide myself and create a strategy.

As for weaknesses, verbal been a weekness esp CR, it is like they always think differently than i do. Plus GMAT is fisrt standardazed test i ahve ever taken, perhaps my head is not designed for this . RC is the second weak spot followed by SC.

as to math, i would say Algebra is pertty good, but again score does not show it really. Geometry is the worst paired with probability questions.

Also i think i lack strategy, and just study with myself all the time and follow the book. Maybe i need to design a good outline and follow it.
Otherwise, i solved each question in OG 11th and Quant review and PR math and verbal workout. Do not know what is hapenning. Very sad. .
let me know if there is anything you can help.

Thanks in advance. I know my story is quiet unusual.

[beatthegmat]

It sounds like you need to start with two things:

(1) developing a strong study strategy, which you can maintain consistently. Please read through my GMAT Blog, https://beatthegmat.blocked for an example of what one study strategy could look like

(2) a systematic approach for identifying your weaknesses and improving upon them. It's not just about going through problem sets and practice tests--you need to spend even more time reviewing the problems you got wrong and analyzing them. Information on how to do this is available on the blog as well as on the GMAT Resource Wiki, https://www.beatthegmat.com/wiki. Be sure to download the excel grids on the wiki, they will be critical for you in your upcoming round of prep.

If you have any issues with your prep, please share them here! This community exists to help good folks like you succeed!

Best of luck.

[ABMK]

I have reviewd https://beatthegmat.blocked and will hopefully be able to create a strong strategy for myself.
I did get the excel grid and will start using it.

would you recommend for me to take classes, get tutor or study on my own?

Shall i focus on teh section where strategy is decsribed for someone who is studying for less than a month? I am hoping to take test in august and it is June now.. so shall i be very agresseive and devote 5-8 hours a day + heavy on weekends?

[ABMK]

Also i noticed that GMATprep is good example of were weak areas are. I am plannign to take one today and if possible share with you my stats.
So maybe it will be a bit clearer as to where to start fixing my problems.

thanks a lot and have a great weekend.

[beatthegmat]

Also i noticed that GMATprep is good example of were weak areas are. I am plannign to take one today and if possible share with you my stats.
So maybe it will be a bit clearer as to where to start fixing my problems.

thanks a lot and have a great weekend.

Yes, GMATPrep would be a great baseline--please share your results with us when you finish!

Thanks.

[beatthegmat]

I have reviewd https://beatthegmat.blocked and will hopefully be able to create a strong strategy for myself.
I did get the excel grid and will start using it.

would you recommend for me to take classes, get tutor or study on my own?

Shall i focus on teh section where strategy is decsribed for someone who is studying for less than a month? I am hoping to take test in august and it is June now.. so shall i be very agresseive and devote 5-8 hours a day + heavy on weekends?

Given that you've taken the test multiple timies, I would think about taking a course or getting a tutor--but take a little time first to see how self study works for you. You might be surprised with the results.

Do not study 5-8 hours per day, you will burn out. It's not about how much time you put it, but rather the quality of your study. Adopt a strategy that allows you to systematically identify your weaknesses and improve upon them. There are examples of how this is done on the GMAT Resource Wiki, so spend some time reviewing the documents/materials there.

Best of luck!

[ABMK]

Good evening.
just completed the test 1 in power prep. given that i have not touched the books for a month i got 500 math 22 incorrect, verbal 16 incorrect.

so tell me if this strategy will make sense :
start with reading Kaplan 800
then study with Kaplan premier 2007
then manhattan GMAt books
then OG
in the course of all these do practice questions and use flashcards.

Does this make sense?
Please let me know.

[800GMAT]

I think OG should be at the top of ur list

Study and master relevant stuff first...thats OG

Master OG verbal and quant
use OG like a text book..
understand the explanation and reasoning for each and every question
if required repeat this entire process
dont try to study from every possible source..keep studies limited to only relevant GMAT stuff

After u master OG completely take another prep test from mba.com....I am sure ur score will improve...


This is my observation regarding GMAT preparation...you may follow what suits you the best ...Good Luck

[beatthegmat]

I think OG should be at the top of ur list

Study and master relevant stuff first...thats OG

Master OG verbal and quant
use OG like a text book..
understand the explanation and reasoning for each and every question
if required repeat this entire process
dont try to study from every possible source..keep studies limited to only relevant GMAT stuff

After u master OG completely take another prep test from mba.com....I am sure ur score will improve...


This is my observation regarding GMAT preparation...you may follow what suits you the best ...Good Luck

I second 800GMAT's wise advice--OG should be your primary focus. I would review OG throughout your prep and then work on the other books simultaneously...