GMAT Strategy

Yeah, I know. You know what my score dropped 50 points from my last practice test from 690 to 640
I struggled with quant. I spent lot of time in initial questions and ended up struggling to complete on time..

I had two weeks of break in between my last two practice tests and was not able to study much in between... so been a little rusty .. I will be taking another test on this Sunday..

osirus0830 wrote:Prep is going ok. The last 50 points is definitely the hardest to get. I hope to raise my score 50 points from my last practice test, but in two weeks, I don't know if that is enough time. Sentence Correction and data suffiency are my arch nemesis...lol

Your score is probably dropping because of a lack of consistency in how you approach and solve certain problems. What I have found helpful on practice test is to always approach the problems the same way. When I deviate or when I rush, is when I end up making stupid mistakes. With the timing thing, I have nothing for that. For me it depends on the test. If its a Kaplan Cat I will finish early. If its Manhattan GMAT, I will be pressed for time and always feel like I'm missing too many, so I don't know.

I am taking MGMATs and GMATPreps only and I am always hard pressed for time on MGMATs. What worked for me before on MGMATs was to rush a little bit during earlier set of questions even at the cost of missing a few questions.

Did GMAT Prep 2 today, scored 660 (Q49, V31). Disappointed with verbal score.. I scored 690 couple of weeks back, but my last couple of scores have dropped 640 (Q42, V36) on Jan 14th and today's 660...... Have been scoring in 640-690 range consistently...but when will I get reach 7xx...??? Feeling a bit frustrated at the moment !!

Hi osirus0830,

How are you scoring on your practice tests..?

sreak1089 wrote:Hi osirus0830,

How are you scoring on your practice tests..?

My last three scores were

MGMAT 700
MGMAT 720
GMAT Prep 700

I don't know what to do to make that final push to 750

What are your Q & V breakdowns?

I analyzed V on GMATPrep2. SC: 13/17, RC: 6/13 & CR 7/11

SC 10/14
RC 10/14
CR 12/13

Critical Reasoning is by far my strongest verbal category. The Sentence Correction is a struggle, and Reading Comp is hit or miss depending on how they word the answer choices.

Quant was 24/37

Verbal 40 Quant 46

Even for me, Critical Reasoning is a stronger area. I used to struggle on SC. But, I have worked a lot on it. Reviewed Manhattan GMAT SC guide and English Grammar by Wren & Martin. RC is where I struggle.

What are you doing on RC? Are you doing LSAT RCs for practice?

sreak1089 wrote:Even for me, Critical Reasoning is a stronger area. I used to struggle on SC. But, I have worked a lot on it. Reviewed Manhattan GMAT SC guide and English Grammar by Wren & Martin. RC is where I struggle.

What are you doing on RC? Are you doing LSAT RCs for practice?

Yup. I do an LSAT RC and logical reasoning passage every other day. It really helps imo.

OK cool. I will do 2-3 LSAT RC passages per day from tomorrow..

Did GMATPrep1 and got 720 (Q49, V40). Score is definitely inflated coz, first there were few repeats, second, I took this test in two parts, Quant yesterday, verbal today coz, I couldn't afford to take full test, bcz of work etc. Main intention was to practice GMATPrep questions as much as possible and identify questions which I am not able to do correctly and review them. Neverthless, happy to see a 7 in the hundred's place even if inflated

I am faced with a dilemma. I have taken GMATPrep1 (680, 720) & GMATPrep2 (620, 660) twice so far. I am generally thinking that taking GMATPrep more often is good. So, I am planning to take 3 more CATs on 23rd (GMATPrep1), 24th (GMATPrep2) and 26th (GMATPrep1). However, some part of me also suggests that may be I should take a fresh CAT (I mean which is not repeated) before the final exam.

Unfortunately, I have exhausted all the 6 MGMAT CATs, during my first attempt and I took 4 additional MGMAT CATs (which are reset), so even if I take MGMATs, there will be a few repeats..

Any suggestions please? Experts, please advise.......

I think you're playing it wrong. You can get an 800 on the next 3 CATs you take and it won't matter. All that matters is how you do on test day. I'm only taking one more CAT and its mainly just to get timing down. You are better off using the four hours you would spend taking a CAT drilling weakneses, in my opinion. Find as many reading comp passages with questions and do them all. Go through as many SC 1000 questions as possible. Go through as many math questions that you struggle with as possible. That is how I'm spending my remaining time. Good luck.