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Banging head against a brick wall

by [email protected] » Thu Aug 07, 2014 8:45 am
Hi,

I have done a few mocks with my scores moving between 590-620 (I am aiming for 700!!!)

I consistently get 80-85% percentile in Verbal but Quant is my major issue in spite of the fact that I spend 90% of my study time focusing on it. I just can't seem to get above 50% and it is really bringing my overall score down.

In terms of strategy, I've read the Manhattan books and have used Kaplan's quiz bank quite extensively. I feel like I've hit a brick wall every time I take a CAT (although while doing it I often feel as if I'm doing ok!)

Has anyone here been in the same position and can share survival tips? My exam is in less than 2 weeks but I'll move it if I need to...

Thanks!

EDIT
Having analysed the results it seems most of the quant questions I get wrong are algebra (in today's mock, 13 wrong and 5 right) and also in the 600-700 range. Clearly algebra is a massive issue and I need to focus on it - what is the best strategy?



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by [email protected] » Thu Aug 07, 2014 11:26 am
Hi schanrai,

Can you list out each of your practice CAT scores (with the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Raising your score by 100 points in 2 weeks is a difficult task, so you might be best served by pushing your Test Date back a bit. Whatever issues you're having with the Quant section can be improved, but you'll need time to learn some new tactics and practice enough so that those tactics become a natural extension of your thought-process.

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by David@GMATPrepNow » Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:56 pm
Hi schanrai,

Been there, didn't like the feeling (and it made my forehead flat).

You've set a huge goal for yourself, which is laudable... but tough to pull off. If your schedule will allow it, you might consider putting off writing the GMAT until you feel more confident. Successful test writing requires confidence - massive confidence.

The Manhattan material is good. But keep in mind that everyone processes information differently. What I mean is that you may not best be suited to learning from reading a book. It's self-serving of me to say so, but because I believe in the value of learning through video (where you have both visual and audio stimuli, and can control the pace of your own learning), you may want to consider starting over with a video resource and a guide to walk you through everything you need to know to seriously beat the GMAT:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide

This FREE resource sends you a daily email for 60 days, which leads you through everything you need to know (if you are able to devote two hours per day to learning). The guide works with the 5th edition of the Manhattan book (which you have to buy), OR through GMAT Prep Now's complete online video course:

https://www.gmatprepnow.com/prices

Keep going, don't give up.
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by [email protected] » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:17 am
[email protected] wrote:Hi schanrai,

Can you list out each of your practice CAT scores (with the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Raising your score by 100 points in 2 weeks is a difficult task, so you might be best served by pushing your Test Date back a bit. Whatever issues you're having with the Quant section can be improved, but you'll need time to learn some new tactics and practice enough so that those tactics become a natural extension of your thought-process.

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

Hi Rich, thanks for your response.

My practice CATs are as follows (unfortunately I can't seem to find the scores in terms of numbers for the Kaplan tests):

Kaplan CAT 1- 510 (35% percentile)
Quant 27%
Verbal 48%

Kaplan CAT 2- 590 (59% percentile)
Quant 42%
Verbal 83%

Kaplan CAT 3- 600 (62% percentile)
Quant 55%
Verbal 74%

Manhattan 1 - 620 (68% percentile)
Quant 44 % (38)
Verbal 80 % (36)

Manhattan 2 - 610 65% percentile)
Quant 38% (36)
Verbal 82 % (37)


I should also mention that I just left my job so can literally spend the whole day on GMAT if need be. I was planning to spend the next 4 days focusing entirely on algebra, take a CAT and then decide by Tuesday whether I need to delay the exam (the exam is on the 20th)

What resources do you suggest to hone in on, and master, algebra and geometry? Those seem to be my big weak areas.

Many thanks again
Shakira
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by [email protected] » Fri Aug 08, 2014 4:21 am
David@GMATPrepNow wrote:Hi schanrai,

Been there, didn't like the feeling (and it made my forehead flat).

You've set a huge goal for yourself, which is laudable... but tough to pull off. If your schedule will allow it, you might consider putting off writing the GMAT until you feel more confident. Successful test writing requires confidence - massive confidence.

The Manhattan material is good. But keep in mind that everyone processes information differently. What I mean is that you may not best be suited to learning from reading a book. It's self-serving of me to say so, but because I believe in the value of learning through video (where you have both visual and audio stimuli, and can control the pace of your own learning), you may want to consider starting over with a video resource and a guide to walk you through everything you need to know to seriously beat the GMAT:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide

This FREE resource sends you a daily email for 60 days, which leads you through everything you need to know (if you are able to devote two hours per day to learning). The guide works with the 5th edition of the Manhattan book (which you have to buy), OR through GMAT Prep Now's complete online video course:

https://www.gmatprepnow.com/prices

Keep going, don't give up.
Thanks David. I can afford to spend much more than 2 hours on gmat per day - as I just left my job - which is why I'm still hoping I can take the exam on the 20th as scheduled. Let's see how the next few days go, though.

I'll have a look, thanks for sharing those resources! It helps that the guide works with Manhattan as that is what I've been using.

I may check out the algebra videos!

Thanks,
Shakira
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by [email protected] » Fri Aug 08, 2014 5:44 pm
Hi Shakira,

Algebra is the biggest "math" category on the GMAT, but it's not clear what your issue really is...

1) Do you know the rules/mechanics? How well do you know the formulas? Can you do the "steps" for each question?
2) Do you know the patterns? Can you spot multiples, factors, classic quadratics, etc. when they appear?
3) Are you comfortable with overall Quant tactics? Most questions in the Quant section can be solved in some other way besides "straight-forward math"

It's logical to start with #1. For free math help and practice, you can visit Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). It's a big site with lots of material to work with.

Your idea to take that next CAT and reassess your situation is a smart idea. You should post back here once you've made a decision.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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by [email protected] » Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:16 am
[email protected] wrote:Hi Shakira,

Algebra is the biggest "math" category on the GMAT, but it's not clear what your issue really is...

1) Do you know the rules/mechanics? How well do you know the formulas? Can you do the "steps" for each question?
2) Do you know the patterns? Can you spot multiples, factors, classic quadratics, etc. when they appear?
3) Are you comfortable with overall Quant tactics? Most questions in the Quant section can be solved in some other way besides "straight-forward math"

It's logical to start with #1. For free math help and practice, you can visit Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). It's a big site with lots of material to work with.

Your idea to take that next CAT and reassess your situation is a smart idea. You should post back here once you've made a decision.

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

Hi Rich,

I understand most of the concepts (in fact I spent all of yesterday reviewing all of Kaplan's videos on algebra, number properties and arithmetic) but I struggle to answer the questions quickly enough. The thinking doesn't come to me intuitively which makes me a bit slow.

I think I need to look into learning some more quant tactics to help me!

Do you have any tips on getting verbal up from 80-85% percentile to 90-95%? I have quite a strong grasp of the English language (my undergrad degree was writing focused, I write a blog, etc.) but I need a few more points to give me that edge - especially if I'm relying on the verbal to compensate for the quant.

Thanks for your help, will post back on Tuesday when I've done another CAT and made a decision on the exam.


Shakira
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by [email protected] » Sun Aug 10, 2014 12:10 pm
Hi Shakira,

Since your Verbal performance is really strong right now, your missing points are not likely to be found in big chunks (you probably do not have a huge weak spot that can be fixed all at once). Depending on which Verbal categories you're best at, your missing points will be found in rarer SC grammar rules (including style and idioms) and mid-level CR/RC. My guess is that many of the questions that you're getting wrong are 50/50s (you narrow it down to 2 options, but pick the wrong one). There are some tactics to dealing with those situations (additional "moves" you can make to confirm that the one you're picking is the correct answer), but that's not really a "tip" - it requires some lessons and extra practice.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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by [email protected] » Tue Aug 12, 2014 10:20 am
[email protected] wrote:Hi Shakira,

Since your Verbal performance is really strong right now, your missing points are not likely to be found in big chunks (you probably do not have a huge weak spot that can be fixed all at once). Depending on which Verbal categories you're best at, your missing points will be found in rarer SC grammar rules (including style and idioms) and mid-level CR/RC. My guess is that many of the questions that you're getting wrong are 50/50s (you narrow it down to 2 options, but pick the wrong one). There are some tactics to dealing with those situations (additional "moves" you can make to confirm that the one you're picking is the correct answer), but that's not really a "tip" - it requires some lessons and extra practice.

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

I just took a mock and got 580 (56th percentile), Q32 V38 (30th and 84th percentiles respectively). I have spent the last 4 days re-learning and practicing algebra and I'm just not sure where I'm going wrong. I understand the concepts but when I do questions I only really seem to get around 60% of them right. I'm really frustrated and just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere, even though I've been spending so many hours on this.

Any thoughts / tips / advice? Feeling extremely demoralised!

Thanks
Shakira
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by [email protected] » Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:13 pm
Hi Shakira,

We need to take a look at some of the specific issues you're having.

You should post in the Problem Solving Forum; pick some of the questions that are giving you trouble and you'll get plenty of responses (you'll learn what you might be missing, what you might be doing wrong, alternative approaches to solving the problem, etc.). Be sure to write about the specific trouble you're having (where you get "stuck" in each question).

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by [email protected] » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:35 pm
[email protected] wrote:Hi Shakira,

We need to take a look at some of the specific issues you're having.

You should post in the Problem Solving Forum; pick some of the questions that are giving you trouble and you'll get plenty of responses (you'll learn what you might be missing, what you might be doing wrong, alternative approaches to solving the problem, etc.). Be sure to write about the specific trouble you're having (where you get "stuck" in each question).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Will do that now. Thanks, Rich!
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by [email protected] » Tue Aug 12, 2014 9:39 pm
Hi Shakira,

I noticed the 2 questions that you posted in the Math PS Forum, but neither of them are algebra questions. While they're certainly tough questions, if these are the types of problems that you're having trouble with, then algebra is NOT what you need to be working on.

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by [email protected] » Wed Aug 13, 2014 2:59 pm
[email protected] wrote:Hi Shakira,

I noticed the 2 questions that you posted in the Math PS Forum, but neither of them are algebra questions. While they're certainly tough questions, if these are the types of problems that you're having trouble with, then algebra is NOT what you need to be working on.

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

I hope my issue with algebra has abated. I have been doing a lot of algebra (PS & DS) questions using Kaplan's quiz bank, selecting the difficulty level as medium & hard. My scores on average are around 60% (I usually do them in sets of 10) which I don't think is particularly good - but not sure what else to do!

I find proportions, ratios, etc ok but for some reason those two questions really stumped me!
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by [email protected] » Wed Aug 20, 2014 3:19 pm
[email protected] wrote:Hi Shakira,

I noticed the 2 questions that you posted in the Math PS Forum, but neither of them are algebra questions. While they're certainly tough questions, if these are the types of problems that you're having trouble with, then algebra is NOT what you need to be working on.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Hi Rich, hope you're well.

I took the exam today and got 650. Not happy with the result, but felt it was a decent improvement on my mock of 590 last week. I ended up with Q39 V41, respectively 43rd and 94th percentiles.

I'm going to book the exam for next month, I believe we have to wait 30 days before retaking?

If you have any thoughts on strategies to push my quant up to minimum 70th percentile that would be appreciated :)

Thanks.
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