GMAT Strategy

I just took the GMAT today and scored a 680. Given that my goal is to score between 700-730, I am disappointed, but not surprised, with my performance. I plan on retaking the test a month from now and I'm in the process of formulating a plan for studying. I'm looking for guidance from this forum on developing a good study strategy.

Here's a little background on how I prepared. The past 18 weeks, I've dedicated ~10-15/hours a week studying in addition to taking the MGMAT course. I've done all Official Guide problems as well as all of the MGMAT problems on and offline, with the exception of some of the challenge problems online and some RC problems. I've redone every problem I've missed and every problem that took me more than 2 minutes to complete. I've gone thru all of the MGMAT guides and skimmed thru them a second time. Here's how I scored on my practice exams:

640 - 43/34 [mgmat #1] early-Jan (I had no idea how to take the test)
640 - 43/34 [mgmat #2] late-Jan
640 - 43/34 [mgmat #3] mid-Feb
640 - 44/34 [mgmat #4] late-Feb
640 - 44/33 [mgmat #5] early-Mar
660 - 45/35 [mgmat #6] mid-Mar
710 - ?/? [gmat prep #1] late Mar
670 - 47/35 [gmat prep #2] early Apr
630 - 44/32 [gmat prep #1reset - (I was exhausted that day... shouldn't have taken a test) early Apr
680 - 43/40 [OFFICIAL #1] Apr 18th

First, I plan on going back to MGMAT quat guides and ensuring that I really understand the material. I also plan on redoing a couple of MGMAT practice exams as well as resetting the gmat prep exams. Beyond, that I'm looking for more advice ...

- How do you suggest that I improve my quant score?
- I'm already feeling really burned out, but due to work/vacation plans, I have to take the test a month from now. How can I prevent total burnout the next four weeks?
- Should I use the old retired written exams as prep aids (circa mid 90s?)
- What other study techniques/material do you recommend?

Thanks everyone,

~John

Hey John, how did your scores breakdown (math vs verbal subscore). It seems like you've been through a lot of materials. No wonder you're feeling a little burned out. My suggestion is that over the next 4 weeks, you focus on your greatest weaknesses. I think that generally, the quickest way to improve is to boost sentence correction performance. If you can get to the point at which you're not missing more than 1 or maybe 2 SC questions on the test, and at which you can do most of the SC questions in a minute, you'll be in great shape. Have a look at the GMATFix Verbal Flashcards. You should be able to tell from the free sample on their website (www.gmatfix.com) whether the flashcards can help improve your score. Even if you don't use them, the sample will help give you a hint of where you can improve.

Don't give up! Take a couple of days off and get back on that horse

Hey mbanana,

Based on your post, I wonder whether you divided your study into specific sections like the MGMAT tests allow you to do.

Have a look at www.tinyurl.com/gmatpost for ideas on organizing your study.

TedCornell wrote:Hey mbanana,

Based on your post, I wonder whether you divided your study into specific sections like the MGMAT tests allow you to do.

Have a look at www.tinyurl.com/gmatpost for ideas on organizing your study.

Pls stop promoting your gmatfix in this forum.Folks need help to ace GMAT not through your almighty gmatfix you are implictly advertising here all the time.
Folks should beware of this guy.