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650 to 560?! GMAT Prep Practice Test vs. Kaplan CATs

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650 to 560?! GMAT Prep Practice Test vs. Kaplan CATs

by adt29 » Sun Jun 06, 2010 12:58 pm
Hi all,

I have been reading this forum for the past 2 months now as I prepare for my GMAT. I attended Kaplan's Basic and Advanced Sessions and have been practicing problems by topic (Arithmetic, number properties, etc in Math and RC, SR and CR in Verbal). As I took practice Kaplan tests online which comes with their package, my score gradually rose from a baseline of 520 to last week at 650. Today I decided to take mba.com's practice test on the GMAT Prep Software and got a 560. Not only am I devastated but also completely freaked out. I've spent
a fair bit of time studying and had a test date of June 26th which I have now postponed to July 24th. My goal, believe it or not, is a 720! How can this be and what do I need to do?

I know my biggest problem was probability, permutation/combination and reading comprehension. But now it seems like I am starting again from the basics. Has this happened to anyone and what are your suggestions for me to get to 720 before July 24th? I'm willing to invest whatever is necessary. Thank you so much for your help!

Aditi
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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:44 am
adt29 wrote:Hi all,

I have been reading this forum for the past 2 months now as I prepare for my GMAT. I attended Kaplan's Basic and Advanced Sessions and have been practicing problems by topic (Arithmetic, number properties, etc in Math and RC, SR and CR in Verbal). As I took practice Kaplan tests online which comes with their package, my score gradually rose from a baseline of 520 to last week at 650. Today I decided to take mba.com's practice test on the GMAT Prep Software and got a 560. Not only am I devastated but also completely freaked out. I've spent
a fair bit of time studying and had a test date of June 26th which I have now postponed to July 24th. My goal, believe it or not, is a 720! How can this be and what do I need to do?

I know my biggest problem was probability, permutation/combination and reading comprehension. But now it seems like I am starting again from the basics. Has this happened to anyone and what are your suggestions for me to get to 720 before July 24th? I'm willing to invest whatever is necessary. Thank you so much for your help!

Aditi
Hello,
I think taking any practice test is useful, but Manhattan GMAT and the GMATPrep software is probably the best. I don't think you're really starting from scratch, but you probably should switch the online tests that you are taking. If you buy the Manhattan SC book (which is good) you can get their online tests as well. Also, don't worry toooo much about permutations and combinations- they usually only come up once or twice. You'd be much better off working on your RC.

You should also get the official guide and go through all of those problems.
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by adt29 » Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:37 am
Hi Dan,

Thanks for your advice! I couldn't seem to get tests with the Manhattan SC book but would this work as well?
https://www.manhattangmat.com/storeitems ... 57&catid=1

I have done about 140 math problems from the OG and found them to be simple. I have 6 weeks until my test now. Is the best way to spend that time doing Manhattan GMAT + GMAT Prep?

Also, I've found that I get really tired by the time I have reached the verbal section. I could possibly get a lot more answers right there if I hadn't been through two and a half hours of writing and intense math! Any tips there? Thanks a ton!
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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:36 am
adt29 wrote:Hi Dan,

Thanks for your advice! I couldn't seem to get tests with the Manhattan SC book but would this work as well?
https://www.manhattangmat.com/storeitems ... 57&catid=1

I have done about 140 math problems from the OG and found them to be simple. I have 6 weeks until my test now. Is the best way to spend that time doing Manhattan GMAT + GMAT Prep?

Also, I've found that I get really tired by the time I have reached the verbal section. I could possibly get a lot more answers right there if I hadn't been through two and a half hours of writing and intense math! Any tips there? Thanks a ton!
That will work, but you should be able to get the tests with a book. Just make sure there is a code in the back of the book before you buy it (or buy a book online and it should work)

You should definitely go through all of the OG, and the GMATPrep (you can take both of the tests at least twice for a total of 4 tests). As for the Manhattan stuff, they'll probably be useful (especially the SC), but I there will definitely be some overlap. As soon as you think you have the basics down you should do tons of practice problems (official problems if possible)

Stamina is one of the tough parts of this test, but if you keep taking practice tests your stamina should improve and you should make fewer silly mistakes

Cheers!
If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button ;)

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
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