BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

520...580..590..3 tests in 3 months

Find out how Beat The GMAT members tackled GMAT test prep with positive results. Get tips on GMAT test prep materials, online courses, study tips, and more.
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:24 am

520...580..590..3 tests in 3 months

by sueson » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:04 am
Hello,

Could anyone please gimme some advises on the verbal bits of the GMAT?

I am looking for a 600-650 and initially I thought it shudn't be that difficult but after taking the first test in Feb - [520, Q42 V20, AWA 5.5/6 ] I was well disappointed so I retook it and I thought perhaps with a bit of hardwork i will definitely get a better score. Right after the first test I bought the MGMAT SC and I got the OG and the little purple book as well... so for the second test in Mar I got [580, Q42, V27 , AWA5.5/6 ].

I was so devastated and thought I shud give up coz I am just not the top student material, but then I got an email from the school asking me whether I wud consider retaking the GMAT coz I fell short of the min requirement (min is 600..tho the school's avg is 680). So I schduled for another appointment in Apr and I changed my strategy. I focused more on the Maths section coz getting a few more points on maths is definitely A LOT easier than getting another 5 points on verbal n yesterday I got [590, Q47, V24, AWA -]....

Obviously my new plan wrked but i didn't expect that my verbal score wud drop tat much at the same time...sigh.....(i did practise w/ the verbal questions...juz tat i put more effort in maths).

Well...I dun think the school will give me another chance and I guess 4 GMAT tests in 4 months is crazy so I am giving up.

If i am retaking the test in another 3-6 months...may I ask wut's the best thing to do to improve my english? with so many months I think I am aiming at a 650-700.

I am a non-native speaker of english and I did psychology for my BA. I am currently having a full time job so I dun have much time during weekdays and usually i feel tired after wrk...
I am actually applying for Masters in Management not MBA... so do you think it worths all the hard work?...juz tat i really wannna get into my dream uni.

Any comments will be appreciated!!
Many Thanks!

Sue
Top
Source: — I just Beat The GMAT! |
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:19 pm
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:750

by Z_I » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:25 am
Sue,

Is GMAT necessary for a Master in Management or is GRE more valid? Just a thought.

For improving your verbal strategy, I feel that you are doing the mistake everyone does, not focusing deep into the reasons why you get questions wrong.

For e.g. if you get a CR wrong, you have to read the 'entire' explanation for the question. Only then will you be able to cultivate the thought process that you need to think like the test writers and thus start getting CR right.

Same applies to RC. You need to have the stamina to read a passage completely, engaging with the passage as you read each sentence. By the end of it you should be able to answer a few basic questions like tone, main idea etc. before jumping on to the questions. Just like in RC you need deeply analyze the explanations for all the five choices and why one choice is better than the others.

In RC and CR it all comes down to learning to think like the test writers but aggressively engaging with the stimulus. It should almost be like you are debating on the stimulus with the test writer. With enough practice the right answer starts standing out in less than 30 seconds for most of the questions.

SC is a little more straightforward like Quant. There are a set of rules for various parts of a sentence, usage and idioms etc, which need to be memorized. Once you are thorough with the rules, you need to do extensive practice. However, the same logic applies here too. You NEED to understand why 4 choices are wrong and why one choice is right. This can only happen if you practice from trusted sources that give a complete explanation for all the answer choices.

Since your maths is good enough for your target score, I suggest you give RC, CR and SC exclusive 3-4 weeks to master the concepts and get enough practice.

However, you would have to disciplined with the studies to the extent that you should make sure that you devote at least 10-15 hours of quality study time per week.

For the overall strategy, i recommend you go through some of nice debriefs that have been posted by members who scored well on the test.

But before you get down to studying, i suggest you take a break and clear your mind. The biggest reason why people falter in Verbal is that they get exhausted focusing on those passages. With enough practice you should be able to build the stamina that you need to attack Verbal after a tiring Quant section.

All the best for your studies!
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 2:35 am
Thanked: 2 times

wait and start

by roma » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:13 pm
Hey dude,

It seems that you were in a grat hurry to get a good score and ruined it.
3 GMAT in 3 months is crazy, but at the same time do not give up, its not that u can't do it, but the main problem is you are doing it in a haste and under a lof of pressure. Just ralax a bit and aim atleast 2 months of study and brushing up before sitting again for the test.

now focus only on verbal, but do give some time daily to quants as wll as you will not want to loose the score.

seconly do a lot of practice tests and go for simulated tests online so that you are well prepared for the stress a head and plz do not panic, and do not go to the test thinking my verbal is weak, this way you make it difficult for your self. negative thoughts will attract more negative thoughts.

Good Luck and stay calm, its not the end of the world. :)
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:24 am

by sueson » Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:51 am
Z_I,

Thank you so much for your advices!

I guess I really shud read all the explanations thoroughly...I was pretty confident with RC and CR coz 90% of the verbal questions that I got wrong in GMATPrep were SC (almost all of them were wrong ...aw..) but obviously that wasnt the case in the real exam.

Anywayz I will follow ur advises and hope tat I can get a beta score next time!

roma,

Yea I was in a super rush coz I applied for masters in Feb and I had to submit my score ASAP but then I kept failing it....sigh

Originally I have given up coz I think the school's gona reject me but the funny thing is tat I got an email from GMAC ytd saying that for the test in Feb, one of the passages contained an ambiguous item and there cud be 2 possible answers...so they're offering me a free resit of the test and the new score will replace my old one! which is the terrific 520!

So....God is giving me another chance!
Wish me luck :)

Sue
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:19 pm
Thanked: 6 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:750

by Z_I » Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:30 am
Sue,

That is fantastic news!!! God surely is giving you a second chance!!

Study your heart out now but be smart and keep yourself fresh along the way and don't give up on life (going out, meeting friends etc.) and you will get the score that you deserve for your preparation!!!

You have my wishes.

Good Luck and look forward to reading your successful debrief in a few months!
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1