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Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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530 -> 480 -> 500 : Get one more shot

by farrahkhan83 » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:15 pm
I have taken the test three times:

Aug '10: 530
Dec '10: 480
Jan '11: 500

I took the Princeton Review in-class course, studied on my own for 3 months and did okay. The second time, I took the PR class again, studied MUCH more and freaked out with the timer and did horrendously. The third time, I had a mix of the two initial times and again, scored poorly.

I am scheduled to take the test April 9. I have been waitlisted into my first choice MBA program. My verbal skills are decent (scoring in the 30 - 34 range) but my quantitative needs helps. Lots of it. I can't find a pattern of what I am doing wrong. How can I improve, other than doing practice questions?
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by jk2010 » Sat Mar 05, 2011 5:50 pm
I recommend the 60 day program and GMAT practice questions. Personally, I took the Veritas course and did not score where I wanted. I did, however, improve by 60 points. My problem was that I had not mastered the basics before I started learning test-taking strategies. I will not be the only one to tell you that quantity does not equal quality when it comes to studying and preparation. Find where you are weakest - inequalities, functions, work/rate, coordinate geometry, etc - and master them. Focus on your weak points while maintaining your strengths.

The GMAT practice questions are well worth the cost. You can customize your study sessions to focus on your trouble spots, and every question has a detailed video explanation. I can't say enough about how great that tool is!

https://practice.beatthegmat.com/

Hang in there and stay positive. I promise that you are not alone!!
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by VivianKerr » Sat Mar 05, 2011 10:03 pm
Hi Farrahkhan,

I agree that there is much more to practice than just doing endless questions. Since you scored relatively the same each time, I would venture to guess that your strategies might be to blame.

Start by taking an assessment. Be honest with yourself. When you practice untimed, how high is your accuracy? Can you write down a step-by-step method to accurately describe your approach to each question type? If not, therein lies a large part of the issue. Go back over questions you've already answered from the OG and the your PR books. Do you find yourself getting the same questions wrong? Have you gotten through the Powerpreps with a fine tooth comb? What's your relationship with your scratch paper? Do you have a methodical approach to how you use it?

I suggest you review your old material and consider making an Error Log to review not just why, but HOW you are getting incorrect answers. A solid evaluation of your process will be the only way to make a strong adjustment and find the areas where you are lacking. If you panic and spend the next 3 weeks just answering more and more questions, you may very well might score the same.

Good luck on your re-take!
Vivian Kerr
GMAT Rockstar, Tutor
https://www.GMATrockstar.com
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Former Kaplan and Grockit instructor, freelance GMAT content creator, now offering affordable, effective, Skype-tutoring for the GMAT at $150/hr. Contact: [email protected]

Thank you for all the "thanks" and "follows"! :-)
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by farrahkhan83 » Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:48 am
Thank you to you both. Vivian, unfortunately I did not keep my old scratch papers, so I cannot assess my strategies from the past - though I am taking your advice and altering it for the present. I am someone who needs to write down all pieces of a problem to be able to assess them. I think that eats up much of my problem-solving time during the quantitative section. Any tips on how someone like me can save time but still be able to visual the problem without writing it all out?

I am taking old practice exams and reviewing which types of problems I am having issues with. Ratios and rates I know are a trouble spot for me!

Also, I am reviewing basics - trying to build that solid ground to be able to say that I can at least answer up to a part of a problem, if not the whole thing, by knowing basics.

Here's to day 2 of studying...I will keep you all posted.
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by farrahkhan83 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:04 pm
Happy ending to this story: I scored a 620 on my GMAT on Saturday, April 9 and got off the waitlist, accepted into my first choice school!

I think the real difference this time is that I focused on areas I knew I was weak in and worked to recognize STRATEGIES as opposed to simply SOLVING. BTG rules!
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by jk2010 » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:39 pm
Great news!! Congrats!!
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