670, need advice

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 3:56 am
Thanked: 4 times
GMAT Score:470

670, need advice

by gmatplayer » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:04 pm
Here is my performance
Study lightly for 5-6 month

GPrep-1: 530 (48, 16) (Shock!)
Manhattan-1: 610 (48, 29)
Manhattan-2: 540 (45, 20)
Manhattan-3: 590 (45, 26)
Manhattan-4: 580 (43, 26)

Then, Study rigoursly for 2 weeks per great advice by DanaJ to study focus on weakness (eg. assumption, idiom...etc.)
Manhattan-5: 670 (45, 36)
Manhattan-6: 670 (48, 33)

I have improved greatly in SC from 30% to about 60-70%
CR is from 40% to about 60%
RC is ok about 70% & I always get questions such as Main idea, sp. details correct.

I always take test in full test modes with both AWA.

I know I should not have wasted GPrep-1 in begining but I still have GPrep-2 left. I am taking real GMAT in 12 days.

I am non-native speaker on english and looks like need to improve more on verbal to reach my mark of 700.

With an engineering background, I am confident about Quant that I will be able to pull about 48-49 (May be 50) if I study more on Q but I need to balance study because obviously I have more scope in Verbal.

What should be my strategy now? Do I need to continue to work on my weaknesses in Verbal and solve problems again & again from OG? When is the best time to take GPrep-2. I do not want to delay much for it in order to keep me fresh before actual test.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 6774
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 1249 times
Followed by:994 members

by beatthegmat » Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:55 pm
It looks like you have made some significant progress, given solid improvements you've made in your CAT tests over time!

I think that it is a wise move indeed to hone in on your weak areas at this point--but don't neglect your 'strong' areas either. Think about putting together some flashcards to help you review important concepts, even the ones you feel pretty confident about.

With regard to your weaknesses, it's time to granularly understand your weak components. You cite general percentages of questions you get right/wrong during your prep, but you need to go one click down to figure out what specific concepts within each subject trouble you. For example: perhaps you get 80% of boldface critical reasoning questions wrong? Or perhaps SC is a breeze for you, except you can't seem to get a single idioms question correct.

To help you in this process, check out this GMAT Practice Grid post, which describes a methodology for analytically understanding and honing your weak areas.

And keep asking your questions to this community, we're here to help! Good luck!
Beat The GMAT | The MBA Social Network
Community Management Team

Research Top GMAT Prep Courses:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-prep-courses

Research The World's Top MBA Programs:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school

Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri May 22, 2009 3:56 am
Thanked: 4 times
GMAT Score:470

by gmatplayer » Sun Oct 04, 2009 5:12 pm
Just like you said Eric: I was able to lift myself to 49Q (just 7 mistakes) in GMATPrep. That's relief for me and gave boost to confidence. Any point I add in Q makes little easier for V side in order to achieve overall target.