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GMAT Newbie: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:39 pm; Location: London, UK

Please HELP!! Not getting anywhere!!

by GMAT Newbie » Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:35 pm

I moved this post from another area to this correct area. Thanks

I just finished my 3rd Manhatan GMAT prep simulation and I scored 590. The last two times over the last week I got 610 and 600, respectively. Although these scores are an improvement from when I took my first exam a month ago (510) I feel like I am not improving anymore.

My exam is on Aug 17th. I am having trouble with the timing and also, it seems like I cannot answer the questions on the simulation as well as I can if I am going through the OFG. I have been doing the questions from the OFG times aswell.

What am I doing wrong? How can I improve? I am aiming for a 690.

Thanks in advance.

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:35 pm

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by beatthegmat » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:54 pm

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mayonnai5e: Legendary Member; Posts: 1018; Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:19 pm; Thanked: 86 times; Followed by:6 members

by mayonnai5e » Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:17 am

We need some more background info. What was your old study plan? Where are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? What was the Q/V breakdown of your scores? What was taking the most time in your practice CATs? What materials are you using?

Providing answers to these questions will help other members understand what you are currently doing and what you can do in the future to break that plateau.

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GMAT Newbie: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:39 pm; Location: London, UK

by GMAT Newbie » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:14 am

I took the GMAT prep about a month ago and got 570. Since then I have been doing Manhattan tests on which I am getting avg 600. I have done only the first GMATprep because I am saving the second one for just before the actual test.

Since I am not working now, I dedicated every day/(6 - 8 hours) (Mon - Fri) to studying, with the occasional saturday. My plan was to go through all the theory then do as many questions as possible. Since I ended up having to order some books during my study period, I didn't actually get a consistent 2 weeks of just doing examples. (I am really doing that now!!) I thought that doing practice exams at weekly intervals would help but it didn't, because I showed no improvement. I feel burnt out sometimes and I just can't seem to get things into my head.

Regarding weaknesses/strengths it is difficult to tell because it seems like I can answer particular types of questions in all areas and the I have problems with other types(mainly the 600-700 type). Generally the main areas of weakness are DS and CR. But I end up making stupid mistakes in other areas. I am attributing this to my lack of consistent practice.

GMATprep
1) 510 - 34Q/26V
2) 570 - 39Q/29V (2nd attempt after practicing with few questions repeated)

Manhattan
1) 610 - 44Q/31V
2) 600 - 43Q/31V
3) 590 - 42Q/30V

The DS, RC, CR are taking the most time in the CAT's. I'm an engineer and I have this habit of trying to solve the problems and that is really slowing me down. I am doing the OG questions with a timer and forcing myself to guess after the timer goes off. Hopefully this will help.

I used Manhattans guide books for CR, RC, SC and Number Props
OFG 11th (orange, green and purple) - orange only completed so far.
OFG 10th (verbal only)
Manhattan Turbo - Math

Thanks

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GMAT/MBA Expert

beatthegmat: Site Admin; Posts: 6778; Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 1249 times; Followed by:994 members

by beatthegmat » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:51 pm

Great update and great analysis!

One comment I have is to be careful about how much you are studying--remember, it's quality NOT quantity that matters. I'm worried that you may burn out quickly if you keep up a 6-8 hour per day schedule.

If you do burn out, don't be afraid to take a quick vacation from studies. Best of luck!

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; Followed by:694 members; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:49 pm

If you have finished the hundreds of questions in OG11 but haven't seen much improvement, you aren't studying in the best way you could be studying.

Also, absolutely do not take a test every week. Every 3 weeks is more appropriate - you will not show noticeable improvement on a weekly basis and you'll just tire yourself out.

I posted this list of questions for someone else earlier today; these are the kinds of things you need to think about for every single problem you do - even if you know how to do it correctly. And, until you've answered these questions for any given problem, you're not done studying that problem.
* * *
What's the right way to approach this (and if it's a math or SC question, come up with at least two different ways to approach it)?
Which way do I feel most comfortable with?
Is there a more efficient way to do it?
Is there a more effective way to do it?
What's the wrong way to approach this?
What are the traps?
How is the question trying to trick me?
How are the answer choices trying to trick me?
How would I make an educated guess on this problem?
What from the problem could I use on other similar problems in the future?
How will I recognize those other similar problems in the future? How will I know what to do?
How would I teach this to someone else? The "real" way? The educated guess way? How to avoid traps? Etc.

Please note: I do not use the Private Messaging system! I will not see any PMs that you send to me!!

Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT

Contributor to Beat The GMAT!

Learn more about me

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GMAT Newbie: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:39 pm; Location: London, UK

by GMAT Newbie » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:46 am

Thanks everyone for your info. This is a great site!!!

I'm going to sit down and continue studying with your points in mind and then just take the test.