How to improve my gmat score

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How to improve my gmat score

by orjihu » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:11 am
Hello,
Im new to this forum so please pardon me if this is a basic question.
I have been practicing gmat for more than 3 months now and scoring 450 on average. I spend 3-4 hours a day and cannot seem to get over this score. I need atleast 670 to apply to my desired school.
I donot understand what Im doing wrong. I soemtimes get a pattern of question right and then the same pattern wrong.
I have been through veritas prep class as well.
Can someone please guide me through this. I have 2 months to improve my score.
Any help will be highly appriciated.
Thank you

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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:15 am
I suggest a systematic (even methodical) approach, in which you take the time to master each topic/concept (e.g., percents, ratios, assumption questions in critical reasoning, comparison questions in sentence correction, etc).

So, for each topic/concept, you should:
1) Learn the underlying concepts (rules, attributes, notation, etc.)
2) Learn GMAT-specific strategies related to that topic
3) Practice dozens of questions all related to that one topic.
4) Don't stop working on that topic until you have mastered it
Then, and only then, move on to the next topic.

To help you focus on one topic at a time, you can use BTG's tagging feature. For example, here are all of the questions tagged as statistics questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... statistics
See the left side of that linked page for more tag options.

While completing questions from the Official Guide (OG), you should you use an Error Log (aka Improvement Chart). You can find a free downloadable Improvement Chart here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-error-log. This will help you identify and strengthen your weak areas.

You should also spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the Experts on this site. They model the steps one should take when tackling math problems.

In addition to learning the core concepts and GMAT-specific strategies, be sure to work on your endurance and test-taking skills (e.g., time management) by taking several practice tests. If you're interested, we have a free GMAT time management video at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gener ... es?id=1244

Cheers,
Brent
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by [email protected] » Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:23 am
Hi orjihu,

I'd like to know a bit more about your studies so far and your goals/plans:

1) What materials have you used so far during your studies?
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
3) What is your exact Test Date?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

Thankfully, the GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. With what you've described though, you would need to improve over 200 points in 2 months to hit your score goals. That might be too big of a challenge considering the time limitations, so you might end up having to adjust your plans a bit.

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by Jim@StratusPrep » Wed Nov 18, 2015 1:47 pm
Are you set on your exam date in 2 months? I know that you may WANT to apply to school soon, but you may just not be ready. Do you find yourself making the same mistakes? Have you categorized your questions? You need to have a plan of attack. Simply doing problem after problem is not going to be helpful.
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by MartyMurray » Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:48 pm
What exactly do you mean when you say that you have "been practicing"?

Are you doing questions on a timed basic? Are you taking multiple practice tests? Are you doing questions on an untimed basis, seeking to learn by carefully doing each?

What have you been doing to increase your score?

Often just by making key changes to what they are doing to prepare for the GMAT, people can dramatically increase the test scores that they generate.
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