I've been studying for 18 moths and cannot get above 550!

varung79 wrote:Hi Antocobb1

Looks like you need support from expert GMAT trainers.

Either register for a full length GMAT course with any test preparation company or hire a private tutor for any a specific area of improvement. By the way, How did you manage your time both in practice tests and in the real test? Which section did you perform well? What is your score breakup?

Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Hang in there, Antocobb1

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

To improve your quantitative score, I believe that you should compartmentalize your learning and take the time to master each topic (e.g., percents, ratios, exponents, statistics, etc.). This means that, for each topic, 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.

As far as "not answering quant questions" sooner is concerned, I suggest that you 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

Finally, you might consider signing up for Beat The GMAT's free 60-Day Study Guide (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide).
Each day, you'll receive an email with a series of learning activities that guide you, step-by-step, from Day 1 to test day. This will ensure that you will cover everything that the GMAT tests.

Here's an outline of all 60 emails: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide-outline

Cheers,
Brent

[email protected] wrote:Hi Antocobb1,

Many Test Takers find the GMAT to be challenging, partly because the GMAT doesn't quite "work" the same way as other tests that you've taken in the past (such as those in high school or college). Even with its quirks, it is standardized and predictable, so you can train to crush it.

When you scored 520, what were your Scaled Scores for the Quant and Verbal sections?

You say that you want to score above 600, but do you have a specific score goal in mind? When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

[email protected] wrote:Hi Antocobb1,

Neither of your Scaled Scores is appreciably stronger than the other (even though the percentiles differ significantly), so you have ample opportunity to pick up points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections.

To take a 520 to a 640+, you're going to have to make sure that you know the content AND the various tactics to make answering questions easy and efficient. With these numbers, I don't think that 1 month is enough time for you to achieve this goal. Do you have the flexibility to push your Test Date back?

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