THE BACKGROUND:
I have taken the GMAT 6 times. Below is a history:
1st attempt - 620 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Sept 2002
2nd attempt - 600 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Oct 2002
3rd attempt - 580 (Q - 80%, V- 64%) - Nov 2002
4th attempt - 600 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Dec 2003
5th attempt - 460 (dont recall breakup) - Oct 2005
6th attempt - 600 (dont recall breakup) -Dec 2006
7th attempt - Aug or Sept 2008
I think my two best attempts were my first attempt and my 6th attempt, where I truly felt prepared. Although in my first attempt, I was anxious like anything. At the end of Math, I was super excited that Math went well and I was like - I know I will crack verbal. Doing verbal, at some point, my brain got tired and I was shocked to see a 620. Anyways, I did nothing new in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th attempts. I was only more aware of my problems with Verbal - slow reading, etc. I have made progress on that front. My 6th attempt - I was more relaxed but had only 2.5 weeks of full-time prep.
Now I have been prepping since Jan 2008 on and off (more off than on), but I do feel better about Math (I have been consistently scoring a 45 raw score on Math. I am assuming that is good and it is more than 80%). Verbal has been 30, 33, 34 types. I have been doing better on RC and not so well on CR and SC. Not doing well on SC is surprising, as that was always a strong point for me in my earlier attempts. CR has been a sore point and I don't understand what to do about that.
Finally, I clearly have a problem with pacing. I am unable to pace effectively and strategically. And if I am stuck on a question that I don't think I am getting right, I have a problem moving on.
I am happy to do the work. But I need to know what the right work to do is. Can you PLEASE guide me? There has been a lot of patience and work that has gone in here and I don't want to give up. Can you help?
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I posted the above thread on another forum and got response from Stacey K. I have come to a stage where I am stuck. I am in the dark and I don't know what direction should I work in / walk in.
My Target score is a 710 or 720+. I have reached a stage where I am stuck.
MY QUESTION:
I tried finding some tutor to work with. I met this guy online who asks me to come down to Dallas for one week for a "Residential course" where over one week he will coach me 1:1 anywhere between 10 to 16 hours a day and get me up to my desired score level. He said that hourly coaching will not help me and he is convinced that something like this (the residential course) will help me out. The cost is $2000+. I am skeptical about this, but if it is really going to help I am open to it. I looked for him online. There are multiple people with his name but no reference to him as such. Anyways, I thought I'd ask you folks for your suggestions. I am open to doing the work. But I am stuck. I need some help. Need the right help. Suggestions? thoughts? I want to try and take the exam before Aug 20. Please suggest folks. Many thanks!
I have taken the GMAT 6 times. Below is a history:
1st attempt - 620 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Sept 2002
2nd attempt - 600 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Oct 2002
3rd attempt - 580 (Q - 80%, V- 64%) - Nov 2002
4th attempt - 600 (Q - 80%, V- 67%) - Dec 2003
5th attempt - 460 (dont recall breakup) - Oct 2005
6th attempt - 600 (dont recall breakup) -Dec 2006
7th attempt - Aug or Sept 2008
I think my two best attempts were my first attempt and my 6th attempt, where I truly felt prepared. Although in my first attempt, I was anxious like anything. At the end of Math, I was super excited that Math went well and I was like - I know I will crack verbal. Doing verbal, at some point, my brain got tired and I was shocked to see a 620. Anyways, I did nothing new in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th attempts. I was only more aware of my problems with Verbal - slow reading, etc. I have made progress on that front. My 6th attempt - I was more relaxed but had only 2.5 weeks of full-time prep.
Now I have been prepping since Jan 2008 on and off (more off than on), but I do feel better about Math (I have been consistently scoring a 45 raw score on Math. I am assuming that is good and it is more than 80%). Verbal has been 30, 33, 34 types. I have been doing better on RC and not so well on CR and SC. Not doing well on SC is surprising, as that was always a strong point for me in my earlier attempts. CR has been a sore point and I don't understand what to do about that.
Finally, I clearly have a problem with pacing. I am unable to pace effectively and strategically. And if I am stuck on a question that I don't think I am getting right, I have a problem moving on.
I am happy to do the work. But I need to know what the right work to do is. Can you PLEASE guide me? There has been a lot of patience and work that has gone in here and I don't want to give up. Can you help?
-----------------
I posted the above thread on another forum and got response from Stacey K. I have come to a stage where I am stuck. I am in the dark and I don't know what direction should I work in / walk in.
My Target score is a 710 or 720+. I have reached a stage where I am stuck.
MY QUESTION:
I tried finding some tutor to work with. I met this guy online who asks me to come down to Dallas for one week for a "Residential course" where over one week he will coach me 1:1 anywhere between 10 to 16 hours a day and get me up to my desired score level. He said that hourly coaching will not help me and he is convinced that something like this (the residential course) will help me out. The cost is $2000+. I am skeptical about this, but if it is really going to help I am open to it. I looked for him online. There are multiple people with his name but no reference to him as such. Anyways, I thought I'd ask you folks for your suggestions. I am open to doing the work. But I am stuck. I need some help. Need the right help. Suggestions? thoughts? I want to try and take the exam before Aug 20. Please suggest folks. Many thanks!
