Where would you start?

vbcannon · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject: Where would you start?

I just took a Kaplan CD-ROM CAT and scored a 470. I heard that the score is 60-100 points lower than an actual score but then I am seeing in other threads that this is a myth.

Anyway, I looked to see where my weaknesses were and I saw that in every section I was scoring around the same. I was getting 40-60% of every section correct. I didn't have any that was lower than a 40% correction rate or higher than a 60%.

I took that as, I have a pretty nice grasp on all of it, I just need to improve my skills in every one of them. I like Math so I figured that I would start with that section because it is easier for me to grasp and I could probably make up the most ground there. I missed 19 of the 37 math questions and when I looked back at why I got them wrong, it was simply because I had forgotten how to work that particular problem or I was being careless.

What would you guys who are high scorers recommend I do? I have already bought the OG11 and the SC guide as well which will be coming in a few days and just downloaded the Flash Cards on this forum.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

wickely · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

Kaplan's scoring being way off is legend, but not myth. Some people do report their real scores to be close to their Kaplan scores, but most people have the same experience you did.

I think your plan is good and that you're on the right track. Attack your weaknesses and be sure to carefully analyze your results. Take the GMATPrep tests. Those are the most accurate. Princeton Review's were also really close for me.

VP_Jim · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

Usually, people who score sub-500 do so because they have serious weaknesses in their fundamental abilities in math and grammar. Before even working on GMAT problems, I would do a careful review of basic algebra and geometry. I'd also get working on improving speed and accuracy in doing mental math. For verbal, start reading any well written materials you can get your hands on.

As you mentioned yourself, most of your mistakes happened because you had forgotten how to do that particular type of problem. Some pre-study before hitting the GMAT stuff will ensure that you're focused on GMAT strategy, rather than constantly needing to review the basics. It's tough to do well on the GMAT without a solid foundation.

Good luck!

vbcannon · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject:

VP_Jim · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

You should probably get going on the grammar, too. You need time to allow the basics to settle in and become second nature.

As for the math, I'd advise trying the first half of each section in the OG to see how you do. That will expose any weaknesses in your fundamentals, if you still have any. When you do a problem, make sure you spend some time afterwards to analyze it and find some sort of takeaway or rule for the problem that you can apply to future questions.

Three hours per day for six weeks or so is a great amount of time to study. Keep it up!

vbcannon · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject:

vbcannon · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 12:23 pm Post subject:

VP_Jim · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject:

I would do the math and grammar at the same time. Well, not literally of course, but maybe an hour a day on each.

By "each section", I meant the problem solving, data sufficiency, sentence correction, reading comp, and critical reasoning sections. The diagnostic test at the beginning isn't very helpful.

vbcannon · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:27 pm Post subject:

VP_Jim · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

Yes, grammar = sentence correction. There is a very small number of grammatical rules that are actually tested on the GMAT. Your goal is to know those rules COLD and be able to spot them in sentences without having to think about it too much.

Your study plan sounds good. There's nothing wrong with taking an hour on a problem when studying, since you'll never forget how to do that problem! The goal is to learn something from every problem you do, no matter how long it takes. Of course, you can't that long on the real test, but hopefully your speed will improve as you study more.

Finally, yes, the quant section of the diagnostic test in the OG is a bit silly. It's not at all representative of the actual test, so don't stress about it too much.