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

Redeem

CAT scores from 720 down to 580, What to do?!?!?

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

CAT scores from 720 down to 580, What to do?!?!?

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:32 am
Hi,

I've been studying for a month, and my actual exam is in a month.

Here are my practice test scores ( these are mostly on a weekly basis):

GMAT prep 1 - 540 (this was sort of my diagnostic test, don't remember the breakdown)
GMAT prep 2 - 720 (Q21, V37)
GMAT prep 1 retake - 720 (Q18, V38)
Kaplan - 660 (Q42, V41)
MGMAT1 - 650 (Q43, V36)
MGMAT2 - 670 (Q42, V39)
MGMAT3 - 580 (Q33, V37)
MGMAT4 - 590 (Q34, V37)

I know that I've been wasting time on some Q questions on the last two test, but I feel like it's impossible to finish MGMAT's quant sections (I do not has as much of a problem with finishing on all other tests, I finished Quant sections on GMAT prep retake and Kaplan with time to spare).

I've been studying with MGMAT books (Number properties, Geometry, SC, and now starting on VIC) and OG 12.
What should I do? I'm quite distraught over my latest practice tests!! BLARG!
Should I just forget about MGMAT practice tests and just continue to study as usual and take PowerPrep practice tests?

p.s. sorry, i originally posted this in GMAT "Lounge" and someone suggested that I repost here.
Top
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1578
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am
Thanked: 128 times
Followed by:34 members
GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:40 am
Your GMAT prep scores have to be wrong. There is no way you got those splits and scored in the 700s.

With your Manhattan scores. What's probably happening is that you are forgetting how to do some of the quant material. If you do not constantly review all topics, you will forget how to do certain things. You should allocate two days a week, just to review all quant areas. You should see your scores stabalize if you do this.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:42 am
I think for GMAT prep, I wrote down the number of questions I got correct.

And every week I do quant and verbal (usually every other day, I try to do a quick 20 question timed section of 20 OG problem solving questions (the from question 100 onward) to try to get my time down.
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1578
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am
Thanked: 128 times
Followed by:34 members
GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:48 am
cafholic wrote:I think for GMAT prep, I wrote down the number of questions I got correct.

And every week I do quant and verbal (usually every other day, I try to do a quick 20 question timed section of 20 OG problem solving questions (the from question 100 onward) to try to get my time down.
This isn't the right way to approach it. When you just do a random 20 questions, you do not control which topics you get. You need to be intentional about the topics you cover. For example, when you review, make sure you review all Number Properties topics, all geometry topics, all algebra topics, etc. If you just do 20 questions, and let's say you get a consecutive integer problem for number properties, that won't help you if the question you see on the test deals with divisibility.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:35 am
so that's it? review all the MGMAT materials?

I should note that I have made hundreds of index cards based on MGMAT topics and questions that I've incorrectly answered, and I review those constantly. I thought I was keeping everything fresh.

Should I keep taking the MGMAT practice tests (I've read from other posts that their Quant sections are more computationally intensive, which I totally agree with)? or start retaking the GMAT prep tests (and PowerPrep tests)?

Thanks in advance for your insights
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pm
Thanked: 74 times
Followed by:4 members

by uwhusky » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:42 am
If your quant score is below 48-51 in MGMAT, then you still have holes in your understanding of quant. I am not sure where you got the 720 score, but base on the information given, I don't think you are near 700.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:46 am
not close to 700? o well that's disappointing

The 700+ scores are based on the GMAT prep tests (the Q and V splits I didn't write down correctly, but the scores I definitely wrote down correctly because I was pretty excited).

Quant is not my strong suit, even though I was a math minor in college! I've been putting a lot of time and effort into the PS and DS, but I feel like I've hit a plateau, and the latest test scores are making me feel really defeated.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pm
Thanked: 74 times
Followed by:4 members

by uwhusky » Tue Jun 01, 2010 7:51 am
Sorry man, not trying to discourage you. Assuming you score 43 on quant, you will have to score at least 42 in verbal to get to 700.

Perhaps try reading the article about the changing diet plan to keep things fresh. I had the same problems after weeks of studying, so I made some changes to keep my attitude strong.
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1578
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am
Thanked: 128 times
Followed by:34 members
GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:04 am
cafholic wrote:not close to 700? o well that's disappointing

The 700+ scores are based on the GMAT prep tests (the Q and V splits I didn't write down correctly, but the scores I definitely wrote down correctly because I was pretty excited).

Quant is not my strong suit, even though I was a math minor in college! I've been putting a lot of time and effort into the PS and DS, but I feel like I've hit a plateau, and the latest test scores are making me feel really defeated.

You can get to a Quant 45 ish just by pure hard work. I know people that just went hard with quant everyday and got a Q45 even though they said they have never been good at math. I think you need to attempt to dedicate just 3 hours a day to math consistently. If you can do that, you will see improvement. You will have to find the time to make sure you get verbal in also though.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:08 am
I guess I'm just confused about what else I can do. When you say "you need to attempt to dedicate just 3 hours a day to math consistently" do I: review MGMAT content and just keep doing OG practice questions over and over? I have already done all OG 12 questions (I've done PS sections twice now). Any other suggestions?
Top
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 1578
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 8:02 am
Thanked: 128 times
Followed by:34 members
GMAT Score:760

by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:09 am
cafholic wrote:I guess I'm just confused about what else I can do. When you say "you need to attempt to dedicate just 3 hours a day to math consistently" do I: review MGMAT content and just keep doing OG practice questions over and over? I have already done all OG 12 questions (I've done PS sections twice now). Any other suggestions?
What I did that really helped me with quant was to go through and do two problems each math review day from every chapter of every MGMAT guide. This is more targeted practice. It ensures that you won't forget anything.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/the-retake-o ... 51414.html

Brandon Dorsey
GMAT Instructor
Veritas Prep

Buy any Veritas Prep book(s) and receive access to 5 Practice Cats for free! Learn More.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:20 pm
Thanked: 74 times
Followed by:4 members

by uwhusky » Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:13 am
I burned through the MGMAT tests for quant questions, meaning just taking the quant portion of the test. Studied the ones I got wrong and if I am confused on a certain topic, I go back to the book and read from the beginning until I understand it.

If you are still struggling with quant, check out https://www.gmathacks.com/. Alternating between MGMAT and this guide has helped me to understand the materials better.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:32 pm
Location: Bangalore,India
Thanked: 67 times
Followed by:2 members

by sumanr84 » Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:51 am
cafholic,

I feel you can totally achieve 700 in GMAT with a proper plan in place. I guess you just need to relax and give a topic wise shot to maths. If you are really bored of doing MGMAT then I would suggest you to do little homework of breaking down the entire math topic into sub-sections. Try googling at forums and solve them and learn concepts out of it.

o17 QUANT topics: Number Properties, Fractions-Decimals-Percents, Ratios-Proportions, Exponents-Roots, Statistics-Data Interpretation, Sets, Combinatorics-Probability, Linear Equations, Non-Linear Equations, Inequalities-Absolute Values, Rate-Work, Functions-Sequences, Lines-Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, 3-d Geometry and Coordinate Geometry.
o14 VERBAL topics: Verb tense, Pronouns, Idioms, Modifiers, Parallel Structures, Subject-Verb Agreement, RC-Science, RC-Social Science, RC-Economics, CR-Weaken, CR-Strengthen, CR-Evaluate, CR-Inference, and CR-Resolve-Explain

https://www.beatthegmat.com/from-610-to- ... 32578.html

The Big, Overarching Principle: Content First, Then Speed
https://www.beatthegmat.com/770-50-q-46- ... 40093.html

Lastly, I would recommend you to take un-timed MGMAT tests to see your upper range, and start Timed-test 5-min late to see your bottom range.
I am on a break !!
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: DC

by cafholic » Tue Jun 01, 2010 9:59 am
thanks sumanr84

I know that I panicked the last two practice tests, and for the most part I know what went wrong (I need to learn to recognized the topics being tested more quickly, instead of rereading the same question and not absorbing it, and wasting time). I was hoping for some more positive responses from the experts, but I guess the truth ain't pretty.... I'll just have to study harder.

I like the untimed strategy, I haven't thought of that before.

Does reading the beatthegmat forums count as "studying"?
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 758
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:32 pm
Location: Bangalore,India
Thanked: 67 times
Followed by:2 members

by sumanr84 » Tue Jun 01, 2010 11:05 am
I was using forum differently until I realized that I am wasting a lot of time in here with my method. Earlier, I was doing problems and waiting for others to reply and learning from their posts. Subsequently, what I found that I learned many wrong concepts i.e. prob specific rules instead of General rules( probably from immature test-takers here !!). Nevertheless to say, I had tough time getting them right at later stage, in particular, during tests ( since I by-hearted wrong concepts).

Now, I walk through the forum for posted questions but don't hold my breathe for other member reply, I don't rely on member's reply. I wait for an expert and then try to collect take-aways from their posts. This way I have learned a lot, improved a lot and saved my time here. Experts also justify whether the Qs is right or wrong, so that helps :)
I must admit, however, that I use above strategy only for Verbal. For Maths, I rely on member replies too, as different heads can bring in new information, quite easily. So, I learn from each head. Also, coz you can justify maths logics.

Suggestion:
Walk through profiles of all experts here and do all Verbal questions they answered. Try to get concepts out of only those questions. For Verbals, I would recommend to stick to this strategy. I guess, you have already consumed OG. Try Manhattan forums, you will find lots of good questions and more importantly concepts given by experts( Ron, Stacey etc) really worth.
I am on a break !!
Top
Post new topic Post Reply