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by ozlemmetje » Tue Jan 14, 2014 4:13 am
Hello,

I have taken 3 practice tests so far.I scored 390 and 420 on official gmat practise tool and recently I have taken another practise test on Princeton review and scored 550. However I need around 650 and have only 2,5 months left. I am also working in a fulltime job. I really am so worried that I won't make it and I don't know where to start. The less days I have left the more anxious and helpless I feel. Pls give me some advise on how to analyze my scores and on how to study for the Quant. section.

Thanks in advance! Wish you all geth the scores you need :)
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by DominateTheGMAT » Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:36 am
Hi ozlemmetje,

First, congratulations on a nice progressive increase of your practice test scores. You're definitely heading in the right direction! Second, 2.5 months is still a lot of time (to give you an idea, our comprehensive GMAT prep course is designed around an 8-week syllabus) even if you're only able to work your studying in around your full-time job.

What makes you think you primarily need to focus on the quant section? What's been the breakdown of your scores on your practice tests?

Depending on whether or not you're considering taking a prep course or working with a tutor, my advice would be to focus on what I call the "highest-yield" question types. For example, a disproportionate number of GMAT geometry questions deal with triangles, and specifically right triangles. So focusing your efforts there will yield more results than, say, learning obscure 3D shapes. Likewise within the world of Data Sufficiency, certain types of questions (e.g. integers, variables, yes/no questions) are tested more than others and if you focus on mastering those, it'll be worth more points to you. On the verbal side, my students are often able to make bigger gains in Sentence Correction than the other two question types. And again, certain points of English grammar (e.g. s-v agreement, pronouns, modifiers, idioms) are tested more than others in S.C. questions.

Coincidently, I just published a guest article on Accepted.com's blog that discusses key things to consider when retaking the GMAT to ensure that you see the improvement you're looking for. It may give you some ideas and help you to feel less helpless. You can read it here:

https://blog.accepted.com/2014/01/06/gma ... eeor-four/

In the meantime, don't hesitate to let me know how else I can help.

Best,
Brett
Brett Ethridge
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Online GMAT Preparation for a Higher Score!
www.dominatethegmat.com
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by [email protected] » Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:35 pm
Hi ozlemmetje,

You certainly have enough time to properly prepare for the GMAT and your CAT scores have shown that you're capable of making the necessary changes to your approach and improve. It sounds like you're in need of a plan, so that you can "map out" the next 2.5 months. If you can answer a few questions, then I'd be happy to offer some advice:

1) What resources are you currently using to study (books, websites, courses, etc.)?
2) How many hours can you devote to studying each week?
3) Is the 2.5 month deadline because of an application deadline?
4) What schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
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by ozlemmetje » Sun Jan 19, 2014 12:02 pm
Hello Rich.

I am definetely in need of a plan.

1) Right now I have the OG 13, Manhattan Review Sentence Correction and the Foundations of Gmat Verbal, The Princeton Review 1037 Practice Questions for the GMAT 2nd Edition, Official Gmat Quantitative

2) Since I work in a full time job I can devote 1-2 hrs during weekdays and in the weekend 10-12 hrs in total.

3)Yes. However I also consider the possibility of re-taking the exam so I have another 1 month to add actually then I have the deadline for the application.

4) I plan to apply to Bosphorous University Istanbul mba programme and also Koc University and I need a score of around 600-650

[email protected] wrote:Hi ozlemmetje,

You certainly have enough time to properly prepare for the GMAT and your CAT scores have shown that you're capable of making the necessary changes to your approach and improve. It sounds like you're in need of a plan, so that you can "map out" the next 2.5 months. If you can answer a few questions, then I'd be happy to offer some advice:

1) What resources are you currently using to study (books, websites, courses, etc.)?
2) How many hours can you devote to studying each week?
3) Is the 2.5 month deadline because of an application deadline?
4) What schools are you planning to apply to?

I really hope that you can help :)

Thanks in advance..

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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by [email protected] » Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:56 pm
Hi ozlemmetje,

You're actually remarkably close to your goal right now. With your remaining time, it's important to be consistent, study in small "chunks" and measure your progress by taking a practice CAT every 1-2 weeks.

The next thing to evaluate in more detail are your practice CAT results. Can you list the score breakdown for each exam (Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)? That info will give me a better sense of your current strengths and weaknesses (and how you might tailor your study plan).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
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by ozlemmetje » Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:26 pm
Hi!
Unfortunately I did not note my first 2 exams but my last one was verbal:27 quant:39. Actually I think I may need a study plan which covers all the subjects..What do you think?
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by [email protected] » Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:40 pm
Hi ozlemmetje,

Many Test Takers find the structure of a Course to be helpful in planning out several months of study. Based on your improvement thus far and your goal score, you might not need one though. I'd suggest that you do a bit more self study, then take another practice CAT. If your scores continue to improve, then the methodology that you've put together might be enough to help you hit your goal. If your score stays "flat", then there's still plenty of time to enroll in a Course and learn some new tactics.

If you have any additional questions, then feel free to contact me directly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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