GMAT Strategy

I took the GMAT yesterday again. and got a lousy Q42 and V33. I feel misled by my MGMAT CAT verbal scores. Clearly, my GMATPrep and real GMAT Verbal scores show that I am lacking in something. There seems to be a clear disparity between GMAT verbal and Manhattan GMAT Verbal.

I felt really, really good coming out of the Verbal section. I thought I pretty much nailed it until I saw the score. I am dismayed, distraught. Please tell me what I need to do, tutoring? Classes, OG / Supp questions? I will do anything it takes. Just tell me.

I have gone through Arisotle SCs. I don't think SCs are my problem. I may occasionally miss 1-2, but I am pretty good at spotting the errors now.
I have gone through powerscore CRs, it helped a bit but maybe I need to do something else.
I never really practiced RCs because I believed this is where I was strongest in verbal. But perhaps the 700+ type RC passages really trick me.

But seriously, how can I get the same Verbal score from my base line in 7/1 of last year (when I didn't know my left and right for SC questions, let alone, CR arguments vs premises, etc)

7/1 550 (Q32, V33) gmatprep 1 (baseline)
1/7 640 (Q43, V35) gmatprep 1 retest
2/4 640 (Q44, V33) mgmat 1
3/10 650 (Q40, V39) mgmat 2
4/7 680 (Q44, V38) gmatprep2
4/26 620 (Q42, V34) gmatprep2 (retest on the new gmatprep 2.0 software)
4/30 590 (Q40, V31) real GMAT (had to pee in the middle of verbal)
7/14 670 (Q42, V39 IR 3.87) mgmat 3 (ran out of time on the last 2 verbal questions)
7/21 660 (Q42, V38, IR 3.73) mgmat 4
7/24 710 (Q47, V40, IR 4.57) mgmat 5
7/28 700 (Q44, V41, IR 0) mgmat 6
8/4 680 (Q47, V36, IR 8) GMATPrep 1
8/6 610 (Q42, V33, IR ?) Real GMAT (second time)

Please help me. Thanks!

Have you analyzed your timing? Oftentimes score fluctuations are a result of timing issues.

Help! Failed Verbal again,despite decent practice CAT scores

Timing hasn't really been an issue. Sometimes I need to sleep through the last 2 questions, but my pacing is fine. I just feel like MGMAT CATS gave me a false sense of security on Verbal. I've read numerous posts that MGMAT verbal is easier than the actual GMAT or GMATPrep.

I have already gone through all the GMATPrep paid add-on questions as well as the GMATPrep CATs to the degree that I know the answers by heart.

I need a new method or material of studying. Any Suggestions?

- Your score will improve very quickly if you can move your quant score upwards, more so than in Verbal.

AbhiJ wrote:- Your score will improve very quickly if you can move your quant score upwards, more so than in Verbal.

Yes, I know my quant is still lacking, and I have a plan to improve that. But for Verbal, I am seriously at a loss. Not sure what is the best method to proceed. Anyways, a V33 is just unacceptable.

Even if I got a Q51 and a V33 my max score would still only be 690.

Hi Galak,

A few more things you need to consider:

1. Did the base-line test you took earlier, include the AWA and IR sections? If not, then your performance on Verbal can be skewed i.e. higher than your real ability.

2. You scored a V36 in your last GMATPrep and scored V33 now. I don't see that as a huge slip - considering that you might have seen some repeats on the prep test. I would analyze that test to see where I went wrong.

3. The fact is you have a poorer Quant percentile than Verbal percentile. I would recommend you work equally on both the areas (as suggested by someone else).

4. You mention "Even if I got a Q51 and a V33 my max score would still only be 690". What is your aim? I reckon even a 690 with a good profile gives you a decent shot.

Arun