Bombed the GMAT a third time..640 to 610

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Bombed the GMAT a third time..640 to 610

by redmark » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:40 pm
Can anyone suggest a good way to study verbal? I've pretty much exhausted GMAT Prep and all the OG guides. I've had extensive tutoring and still can't crack this test.

I took the test last month on an hour of sleep and got a 640 (Q47 V31). Today I got a 610 (47Q/28V) and Iactually slept the night before this time around. The verbal section was VERY different from what I've seen in the official prep material.SC and CR seemed much different.

I don't know what to do...I've been scoring 720-740 on MGMAT and mba.com tests but the real test just seemed so different.

Any suggestions? I'm so screwed ... I want to apply this year

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by sharadharjai » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:01 pm
You may try Veritas material. I haven't tried much, but just ordered CR books and took some tests.
I found the material quite helpful.

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by smackmartine » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:19 pm
Study from GMATPrep SC and CR docs. Questions are more tougher than any other prep materials' questions. While doing the SC/CR , you will come to know about nasty subtleties which non of the prep companies cover. Learn from something genuine. Study smart, not hard!. You can find these docs on gmatclub forum.

All the best!
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by prodizy » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:52 pm
I think there's not much preparation you need in terms of content. you need to build the exam temperement. may be you are adjusting to the exam envieonment. may be changing the center might work. may be you are not starting the exam well. not managing the time well. also see which area in verbal your performance in verbal is not consistent.

If you can't figure out anything from the above then one easy thing is to divide the verbal topics to very small granularity and MASTER each of them one by one. it is important to be both confident and consistent. i think the more you are comfortable with content the less the exam is going to throw you off. there is also the possibility of you not understanding your level and wasting time on difficult questions and not even answering the questions you are supposed to answer correctly.

HTH,
Prodizy

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by prodizy » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:53 pm
I think there's not much preparation you need in terms of content. you need to build the exam temperement. may be you are adjusting to the exam envieonment. may be changing the center might work. may be you are not starting the exam well. not managing the time well. also see which area in verbal your performance in verbal is not consistent.

If you can't figure out anything from the above then one easy thing is to divide the verbal topics to very small granularity and MASTER each of them one by one. it is important to be both confident and consistent. i think the more you are comfortable with content the less the exam is going to throw you off. there is also the possibility of you not understanding your level and wasting time on difficult questions and not even answering the questions you are supposed to answer correctly.

HTH,
Prodizy

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by redmark » Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:32 pm
The sad thing is that I think I posted on here three times. All titles included something about "Bombing" the GMAT.

I actually went over that CR document from GMAT Club and I got most of that right. I also went through some 1000 SC and OG Verbal Review SC and CR. For RC I used mainly LSAT. I was feeling pretty confident before the test. Now that I've studied everything under the sun, what to do now? podizy, when you took the test, did you think it was similar to GMATPrep and the OG guides? I don't.

I really don't want to have to give up going to school just because I can't get a decent verbal score. I feel terrible about it

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by prodizy » Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:37 am
Hey,

I am sorry to say that I haven't yet taken the GMAT so I can't tell you how the real test experience is. But I can tell you a second hand experience: One my friends scored a 750 in GMAT prep1 on the first day of his preparation. And after studying hard for three months - he scored a 710 on the real test. He says giving the test is completely different. You have to master it - there is no other option.

Why don't your try e-GMAT? they got good reviews for improving the verbal scores of their students. I am just starting with my free trail. Will let you know the feedback.

HTH,
Prodizy

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by redmark » Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:16 pm
yea please let me know. I was looking at that or gmat pill.