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GMAT 660 (Q49 V31) - Feedback requested

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GMAT 660 (Q49 V31) - Feedback requested

by rd4rdm » Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:08 pm
Hi all,

This is my first post on this site. I have been reading the forums for some helpful tips regarding GMAT preparation for a while now. I gave my first GMAT attempt yesterday and got 660 (Q49 V31), way below my target score of 700.

Here is a brief description of how I prepared:-
Study Mat'l - MGMAT Books 1-8, OG 12 Ed.
B4 the actual GMAT test I had reviewed almost all questions twice in OG Math, SC & CR sections.

My Preparatory Test Scores are given below (in the order given). Each test was done in the simulated conditions - timed and with essays.

MGMAT Test 1 - 670
MGMAT Test 2 - 660
GMAT Prep Test 1 - 710 (Q48 V39)
GMAT Prep Test 2 - 690 (Q49 V35) - This was my 2nd test in a row (after GMAT Test 1) and I was losing focus, especially in verbal.

Both of GMAT Prep tests were done 4-5 days before the actual GMAT. Then I took 3 days break to just go over concepts (no tests).

Based on these tests, I thought that I would be able to get close to my target score. But on the actual day, my verbal performance was the biggest disappointment (lowest of all the tests).

So, in conclusion, I need to work on verbal and RC is my weakest point of all. Since I have finished all the material that I have what additional material should I get? I am planning on buying Powerscore GMAT CR Bible. What additional work can I do on my RC and SC? Please guide me on how to approach my 2nd attempt.

FYI....I am targeting Part-Time (week end) MBA programs at Booth, Kellogg or Duke in 2013. I am currently working full time with over 7 years experience.

Thanks for your inputs in advance,

RD
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by VivianKerr » Sun Jan 01, 2012 12:01 pm
Hi RD,

You're on track. And the leap from 660 to 700 has to do with some intensive focus on weaker content areas, more effective pacing management, and a more exacting strategy for each Q-type. You can definitely do it!

I'd suggest Powerscore CR definitely, and also MGMAT SC for books. For RC, there is no "quick fix" book. You'll need to work on strategy. Here is what I suggest to become an RC rockstar:

1. Start with the Topic. The topic should be obvious within the first 1-2 sentences of the passage. Look for the noun that appears to be the focus of the sentence. Is the topic a historical figure, a scientific phenomenon, a business plan, a social theory, etc?

2. Consider the Scope. The scope is a little more specific than the topic. What about the topic interests the author? Think of the topic as the top of an umbrella. The scope shows the parabola of the umbrella and describes what would and would not fit under it. For example if our topic is "radiocarbons" maybe our scope is "theories about how carbon dating works."

3. Chart the author's opinion and look for changes. Look for the adjectives he/she uses to describe the topic, and the main topics of the individual paragraphs. What does he/she like or dislike? Look for descriptive phrases, and write down a "happy face" or "sad face" symbols to track the opinions and how they change or develop. Does the author introduce other people's opinions? Track them as well.

4. Write down the function of each paragraph. Write down the function of each paragraph as an infinitive verb as you read. Don't move on to the next paragraph without one written down! Consider how each paragraph functions as a part of the larger argument. These notes are essential to answer Function questions later on!

5. Identify the keywords in Detail questions. Refer back to your passage map and the specific paragraph that contained the detail. Try to use your notes on that paragraph as a prediction FIRST, and only delve back into the passage if the answer choices are too narrow. Try to use the information in your passage notes as a prediction first. It is often enough to help you eliminate the four incorrect choices. Only if absolutely necessary should you re-read the specific lines of the passage.

6. Always identify the Purpose. Main Idea questions ask about the main points of the passage and require you to understand the purpose of the passage as a whole, so make sure to write it down as an infinitive verb before you finish your first read. Almost every passage will have a Main Idea question.

7. Remember that Inferences are based on Implications. As you read each paragraph, take notes not only on what is directly stated by the author, but also on anything he implies by his use of certain words or phrases. Look for any descriptive adjectives that will reveal the author's opinion, and trust your own impressions. Think of a passage like a body of water. There is always much more going on beneath the surface.

8. Harder passages have complex tones. Put yourself in the author's shoes. In your passage notes, you should focus on the author's point of view throughout the passage. How does he feel about each of the topics he discusses? In harder passages, the author will have mixed feelings. He may feel overall positively towards the topic, but have certain specific reservations.

9. For Application questions, read above and below the line numbers. You'll need more context to answer these challenging questions. Don't expect the quoted line numbers to give you enough information to solve. Tricky answer choices will mimic the subject of the specific line number provided, but won't accurately reflect the full situation. Once you understand the full situation as stated in the passage, write down the process involved. It may help to use arrows or other symbols. Your ultimate goal will be to consider what is it "like" so make sure you understand the original situation well.

10. For Vocab-in-Context questions, go back to the passage. A commonly-used word often takes on a secondary definition within GMAT passages. Do not assume that the common meaning is the correct answer; there may be several meanings you do not know. Go back to the passage and see how the word is being used in context.

Keep your studies focused on QUALITY versus QUANTITY. 40 points is not so far to go, and you'll find some amazing stories in the "I Just Beat the GMAT" section to get inspired!

Good luck!
-Vivian
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 rd4rdm » Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:53 pm
Vivian,

Thanks a lot for your detailed response. I have been trying some of the tips that you have mentioned regarding RC. I usually practice Reading Comp with timing and try to do long passages within 8 minutes (with 4 questions) and short passages withing 6 minutes. Following is the approach that I currently use :-

1) Read 1st passage with most attention and try to understand the scope of the passage i.e. what the author is trying to say in the passage.
2) Read following passages ASAP. Pay attention to first 2 sentences to understand what the paragraph is doing to the passage as a whole (eg. a new theory being introduced, or an example being given etc.). Rush through rest of the passage unless I see attention words (eg. contrast words, changing directions, contradicting something etc)
3) Read last paragraph with a little more attention.
4) Once the reading part is over, take a few seconds to connect all the notes on my passage map (eg. P1 - there is a prob, P2 - some reasons given, P3 - Some theory behind the prob, P4 - Solution suggested)

Once I read the passage this way, I am able to answer general main idea questions with relative comfort. Usually I am able to reduce the answer choices to the last 2, and sometimes I pick the wrong one.

My biggest issue has been inference questions. I almost always get them wrong. Since I skip all the detailed information and focus on the general ideas for each paragraph, some times I have to go back 2-3 times to the passage to check the validity of the answer choices. Do you have any suggestion on how should I target these.

Should I keep practicing the same way I am doing, or should I first try to do some passages without time constraint (just focus on the process). I can always repeat all the passages given in OG (that I have already covered) and work on the process without time constrain. Do you suggest any alternate strategies or further steps to build on my current process ?

Finally, I am running out of test material on RC, so how do I apply this process to a Non-GMAT articles (e.g some magazine or paper). I can practice making passage maps and identifying general idea for the passage, but what about the detailed questions.

Thanks again,

RD
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