1st time GMAT NO GO...retaking it 05DEC11

Expert replies

chiefdup: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:26 am; GMAT Score:480

by chiefdup » Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:57 am

My post from October wasn't even addressed by anyone in this forum. Not a tutor, not a vendor, nobody. And so I was left to my own devices with MLIC to continue to prepare and take the exam. I only tested using the GMATprep software and my scores were the following:
430
520
470
530
440
550
Actual GMAT-32/64% Verbal; 25/14% Qauntatative; 5.0 AWA/57% = overall 480 GMATThe dates were intermitent-key word with not doing well on the GMAT as I've seen that the studying and practice must be consistent. I was tempted to buy a batch of CAT tests from MGMAT but I'm not convinced that is the best way to go. I'm going to work through all of the OG12 problems, retake old GMAT paper tests (I have 3), and continue to drill down as best as I can. My biggest problem is consistency having a full time job as a Company Commander and being a husband/father of 3. With that said, I will ask again; anyone on here, I've been working hard with MLIC. I've got two weeks left and could use some serious advice. I've purchased the 30 day study plan which helped me to create a schedule and look at things from a different angle. My biggest weakness is quantatative and I feel like I am simply not grasping the basic fundamentals for arithmatic problems (I suffer with mild dyslexia/ADHD which make their presence known during tests like the GMAT)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I'm not broke so if you think you can really help me, I will pay.
-Jason

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:57 am

VivianKerr: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1035; Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 11:13 amFollowed by: 365 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 474 times

by VivianKerr » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:37 am

Hi Jason,

With 2 weeks left, you're going to need more Quant help, definitely.

Since you have limited time, you are probably not going to be able to drastically improve your score, but I think a gain of 50-100 points is not out of the question, depending on how you've improved so far.

Go back through the OG and choose THREE Quantitative topic that are weak for you. Try to choose "big" ones like Inequalities or Coordinate Geometry since they are more commonly tested than Interest or Profit.

Spend the last 2 weeks focusing on becoming an expert at those three topics. Use the OG, GMAT Club, Beat the GMAT, Grockit, etc. to seek out as many Quant questions and blog articles on those 3 topics as you can.

I would also buy MGMAT Number Properties if you haven't already, and try to do an hour a day out of that book as well.

If you try to cram all of Quant in 2 weeks you'll likely make little progress, but aim for 3 topics + an emphasis on Number Prop review and I think you'll make some headway.

Good luck!

Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
https://www.yelp.com/biz/gmat-rockstar-los-angeles

Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"!

iwillsurvive101: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 58; Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:44 pm; Location: Washington DC; Thanked: 1 times

by iwillsurvive101 » Fri Nov 18, 2011 10:54 am

I agree with VivianKerr's response. Pick the big topics of GMAT and Master them. 1) Number Properties 2) Geometry 3) Inequalities (4) Statistics are few areas which def. appear A LOT on the GMAT.

Get the MGMAT Strategy Guides, they build a very good foundation to build up on. I have been in similar situation earlier. I bombed my GMAT(although my issue was anxiety on top of lack of prep.), and I have been slowly going through MGMAT Math Strategy guides, and boy, they're awesome! I plan to slowly grasp every bit of the Math Guides, and then solve atleast the Kaplan 800 Word Problems, before going through to OG.

It may be too much for you, considering you only have 2 more weeks(Is Dec 5 a hard date for you?

Can you push it near end of the year or possibly Jan 2012??) If so, maybe you can concentrate on building a foundation - like I am doing. If not, just pick major areas and crack your way through.

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review