I just Beat The GMAT!

Shadow88 wrote:First of all, thank you for the very quick and good formulated response.
I see what you meen, it's just that i have alot at stake. I will shorten the study per day to 7-6 hours. I will take a mock test on monday( i will start on wednesday with my study), to see what i need to work on. I would really appritiate if you could give some input to my schedule when i get the results. I was also wondering if this study material is enough: OG 13 + the MGMAT Guides(8)+kaplan premiere.
I doubt my first moch score will be even close to yours but, hopefully i reach 720 in august the ninth.

Sorry for all the questions but this is my only shoot to reach my goal

if you have a lot at stake:
a) consider having 2 attempts at the GMAT. If you don't succeed at first, you will have a second chance.
b) be psychologically prepared - that means, try as much timed CAT as possible. Have one a week at the least. For that it is very good to buy yourself an additional question pack for the PowerPrep from official GMAT.

Regarding the study materials for me those were fine, except for I did not like the Kaplan too much, but that is a question of style and taste. From my point of view, one needs one general book with the approach to GMAT CAT principals etc. For me it was Cracking the GMAT, you could try Kaplan. From such book you learn the basic principles - such as, for example, that questions in the beginning are more important, than questions in the end. Than you need a book for each of the section - and MGMAT are very good, especially in Verbals.

Inspiration debrief..
Congratulations!!!!

You blog has motivated me to work even harder.

Just one Q .could you tell me as to how many months did you invest in preparing for GMAT?

pallavisatsangi

As I have already answered to this question in the comment above, it took me about 2 months.

Congratulations! Wonderful debrief! Especially happy for you as I am also Russian! Good luck with your apps!

Congrats Fieldwolf,
I want to ask that when you see a new problem do you relate it,most of the times, to some problem you did in past or you take EACH problem as a new one. I am asking this because many experts have iterated that one thing that differentiate 760+ scorers from other test takers is that almost all of 760+ test takers are able to relate problem faced on test to some problem that they did in the past. So, Does that mean they remember/learn structure of the problems they do and if that is the case i would like to know how to achieve that. At present i can only deduce what type of ques (say assumption on CR) but i am not able to relate to some previous ques.

vikram4689
Thanks for your kind words.

Frankly speaking, I don't get your point. If you could bring up an example of what you mean by "relating the problem to some past problems" it would be easier for me to provide an answer. From the description you've made it seems like in Verbal I get most of the problems as new ones. In math I don't really see how you can solve any problem without relating it to some general rules - which, at the end of the day, is relating it to other problems

See "Recognizing what to do" in https://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/7 ... erence.cfm

It mentions ""Recognizing what to do" means that, when you see a new question, you quickly (within about 20 to 30 seconds) make a connection to some problem you've done in the past; there's some similarity between the two problems and you recognize that similarity. " and says that 760+ scorer has mastered this skill

vikram4689 wrote:See "Recognizing what to do" in https://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/7 ... erence.cfm

It mentions ""Recognizing what to do" means that, when you see a new question, you quickly (within about 20 to 30 seconds) make a connection to some problem you've done in the past; there's some similarity between the two problems and you recognize that similarity. " and says that 760+ scorer has mastered this skill

First of all, I have read this article thoroughly and from my point of view on myself I do not comply to many of the points, like this tester has also mastered at least two approaches for tackling any one particular type of question.

Second and more important - I find this particular skill useful only if it means: "when I look at the problem I know what particular type of problem it is, how to solve it, what rules apply to it and what are my most typical mistakes with such problems". In this sense this rule is essential and I really don't think anyone can reach even 700 without understanding what type of problem he/she solves for any given test question. I can hardly imagine a person who scores well by just randomly applying the tools he or she has against the task.

That does not necessarily mean I will recall any single problem of such type when I see a question. When I have to multiply 15 by 22 I do not recall how I have recently multiplied 17 by 46 I just know that this is a multiplication problem, I know the rule how to multiply and I know what mistakes I typically make when multiplying.

Also, as I have used only problems that are new to me in the preparation (I have never had one and the same test or question twice), I have always been in the situation as on the exam, maybe that is why I addressed to the problem types, not to the particular problems.

Third - what is very right about this article (but not stressed very boldly) is that you have to have a lot of stamina and you have to get rid of careless mistakes. In other words, you have to stay concentrated for 4 hours.

Fourth and the last - maybe the article is just right to state that "Second, the mastery described above relies heavily upon an ability to create and recall memories. Those with a greater capacity to remember and recall a large volume of information will find it easier to reach higher levels on the test. The mastery described above also relies heavily upon an ability to recognize patterns. Again, those with a greater capacity to study patterns and to recognize similar patterns in new information will also find it easier to reach higher levels on the test". So maybe I just have a good memory and my cognition goes from a particular problem via problem examples to problem types without notifying me

Thanks dude , I am worried since my score is stuck at 680-690. Recently i have implemented following changes, can you tell if i am moving in right direction (my target is 760)

I have started building more PROCESS oriented approach so as to remove any holes in foundation. For e.g. In strengthen CR ques, now i have reference points on what can be possible answers. Now i know that correct answer to strengthen will EITHER strengthen the assumption OR provide some new evidence. Even earlier i was able to solve strengthen ques. but that was not process oriented. Earlier, I used to scan and find a choice that i think will strengthen the argument. However, I guess over time this new process oriented approach will give me more confidence.
1) Do you think my process oriented approach for removing foundation holes is correct
2) What should i do to recall "most typical mistakes for a particular problem category" mentioned in your 2nd point and "an ability to recognize patterns" mentioned in your 4th point

My verbal score is 32-33 and this is only thing that pulls me down, i consistently score 50/51 on quant Any other inputs that you think will help to achieve my target score, Your inputs are extremely valuable

By the way, here are some useful thought I have on RC section, that I have just written to someone in private - found it a good thought to share to everyone.

Here are some thoughts from the Cracking the GMAT that were useful for me. A bit unstructured but all very helpful:
- You do not have to memorize it all, you only have to know where to find the answer;
- Main idea can be usually found by reading the very first and the very last sentences of the whole text or a particular paragraph;
- When answering question on "text structure" look for trigger words (first, second, however, but, yet, despite, while, except, nevertheless, likewise, similarly, in addition, by the same token) and pair words (generally - this time, on the one hand - on the other hand, the old view - the new view, most scientists - but mr. Jones, the widespread - the expert);
- In specific questions find the lead words sequence and look exactly for it in the text;
- In questions, that ask you to "infer" something, you should know, that GMAC thinks of inference as of going just a very tiny bit further than the exact information in the passage. Do not overthink. Be a bit stupid and straightforward.
- Virtually all answer choices that are specific and unequivocal (and contain words like all, none, never, always, must, everybody, complete) are wrong. Usually, the answer choice that is general and vague (and contains words like usually, may, might, can, sometimes, some, most) is right. For example, an answer choice that "Charlie Chaplin was the greatest comedian of all times" or "Chaplin's genius was never acclaimed" are most often wrong. The right answer would sound like "Chaplin was a great comedian, although some notable critics disagree". Specific, strong statements are often wrong. vague, wimpy statements are often right.
- It is mostly unusual that a right answer choice would contain some disrespect for professionals (doctors, teachers, economists etc.) or some criticism of USA.
- It is very unusual for an answer to be emotionally extreme. Right answer choice will use "slightly critical" instead of "scornful and envious", "admiring" instead of "overly enthusiastic".
- Any answer choice that is even a bit negative to any minority group (afro-americans, women, homeless) should be considered as most possibly wrong
- When line references are given read a little above and a little below.

vikram4689

I've just had a discussion on the matter in my inbox, so i think I'll just copy some of the questions I asked here.

What is your hit rate (right answers percentage out of total questions) in verbal divided by sections (SC, CR, RC)?

For CR and RC I relied most on Cracking the GMAT, that gave me very general understanding on how to cope with these 2 types. Basically, it says that a) you have to be very close to the original text and not to conclude too much. Your answer has to be written in the text nearly exactly, especially in RC. b) skimming the text in RC might not be a good strategy for anyone, because some people are way better when reading the RC text thoroughly (so am I).

You should also note that your answers in the beginning of the test have higher impact on the result compared to the answers in the end of the test.

What books do you use for these sections except for the OG?
Is English your native?

Do you use the official software? If so, you can download additional question packs. If not - start using it.

Re your questions:

1) Do you think my process oriented approach for removing foundation holes is correct
2) What should i do to recall "most typical mistakes for a particular problem category" mentioned in your 2nd point and "an ability to recognize patterns" mentioned in your 4th point

My verbal score is 32-33 and this is only thing that pulls me down, i consistently score 50/51 on quant Any other inputs that you think will help to achieve my target score, Your inputs are extremely valuable Smile

1) Yes I do. I think only process oriented approach has sense regarding the GMAT. My story was very close to yours - I started with 45Q (just because I was damn careless on my first mock math) and 34V. So read more about problem types and particular step-by-step approach to each problem type.
2) For mistakes - practice a lot and analyze each question which took you a long time, in which you were unsure of the answer or in which your answer was wrong. For patterns - frankly, that was just a quotation. To recognize patterns you have to know patterns, and I can not advise anything except "read books that specify and describe problem types".

What is your hit rate (right answers percentage out of total questions) in verbal divided by sections (SC, CR, RC)?
65-70%

What books do you use for these sections except for the OG?
I did Blue Verbal book, Aristotle RC-99, SC Grail but all of them were before i adopted process oriented approach. Right now i am learning the types of answers for each category on CR

Is English your native?
No

Great to find out that your story was similar. where did you find that process oriented approach should be followed (may be i can refer to it whenever i have doubts). To me this approach means having a fixed strategy and set of possible correct answers for each type of ques. on each category. For e.g. i know that on "primary purpose" ques on RC, correct answer will describe "why the passage was written" (possible ans = to describe how status of women rose and fell in 19th century) & on "main point" ques on RC, correct answer will describe "what does passage talks about" (possible ans = rise and fall status of women in 19th century). Is that all or there is something more to correctly understand the facets of this approach.

Also as to followed this approach did you find your score showed continuous improvement (say 34 -> 36- > 40 -> 44) ?

Just to add, unfortunately i have been living with verbal 32-33 score since more than 1 year. just dont know where my hard work is going, may be this new approach will help

vikram4689 wrote:What is your hit rate (right answers percentage out of total questions) in verbal divided by sections (SC, CR, RC)?
65-70%

What books do you use for these sections except for the OG?
I did Blue Verbal book, Aristotle RC-99, SC Grail but all of them were before i adopted process oriented approach. Right now i am learning the types of answers for each category on CR

Are you absolutely sure that your score by sections is leveled? You HAVE TO know your hit rate separately in RC, SC and CR. Otherwise you will never know what to focus on.

Regarding the books - I think everyone here agrees that MGMAT SC is the best-in-class. Also I loved MGMAT because they comprise their problem sets from OG problems, which is the only good approach.

vikram4689 wrote: Great to find out that your story was similar. where did you find that process oriented approach should be followed (may be i can refer to it whenever i have doubts). To me this approach means having a fixed strategy and set of possible correct answers for each type of ques. on each category. For e.g. i know that on "primary purpose" ques on RC, correct answer will describe "why the passage was written" (possible ans = to describe how status of women rose and fell in 19th century) & on "main point" ques on RC, correct answer will describe "what does passage talks about" (possible ans = rise and fall status of women in 19th century). Is that all or there is something more to correctly understand the facets of this approach.

Also as to followed this approach did you find your score showed continuous improvement (say 34 -> 36- > 40 -> 44) ?

Just to add, unfortunately i have been living with verbal 32-33 score since more than 1 year. just dont know where my hard work is going, may be this new approach will help

Frankly, I just cannot think about any other approach. Either you know the strategy for each question (which is what you describe) or you play blind. For a long time I did so, basing just on my common sense and without any particular approach. I must tell you that after reading the Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT and MGMAT SC my scores increased gradually. After I have learned the correct approach, I just started solving the problems consciously, not just guessing. By the way, for me being non-native, the SC books gave me a lot of interesting and useful information - another stimulus to study

I just wanted to thank you fieldwolf ,for all help.

I might postpone my gmat and build up a better base, beacuse that mock exam result was horrible and i have less than 6 weeks left. The bad result was a bit expected but i should have gone through some basics and more knowledge about the structure of gmat questions before the first mock exam.

Again, thank you fieldwolf.

Wow, this is going to be a legendary thread. Congrats!