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Changes in preparation in the last 4 weeks

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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Changes in preparation in the last 4 weeks

by Lavina Yadav » Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:49 am
Hello,

I have been studying for 2 months now, 4 hours/day. I am doing well in verbal (V46, V48) but am facing some issues in quant (Q36). I need some help on how to plan my study hours so that I can make the most of it. Roots and Exponents, Number properties and probability are the topics that I need some help with, esp in term of strategy, preparation and timing.

Right now I am just practicing around 30 questions/day, but I can hardly get the accuracy to anything over 55%.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thank you!
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by [email protected] » Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:38 pm
Hi Lavina Yadav,

To start, the Verbal Scaled Scores that you're listed are outstanding! If you can perform at that same level on the Official GMAT - and raise your Quant Scaled Score the necessary amount - then you could score in the mid-700s (or higher) on Test Day. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals:
3) What is your goal score?
4) What is your exact Official Test Date?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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by Lavina Yadav » Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:40 am
Thanks Rich! Appreciate your help :)

Here is some more info:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far? OG 2018 (Respective guides for Verbal and Quant too), Manhattan Guides and a question bank from PR. I am not taking any classes right now but I have subscribed to a couple of courses that offer lessons online.
2) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)? 660 V46, Q35 Aug 01

Goals:
3) What is your goal score? 780
4) What is your exact Official Test Date? Sep 22, 2017
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School? Round 2, current year
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to? HBS, Stan, Kellogg, and Cornell
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by [email protected] » Mon Aug 14, 2017 1:53 pm
Hi Lavina Yadav,

A September 22nd Test Date is a little over 5 weeks away. While you could certainly improve a great deal during that time, raising a 660 to a 780 in that timeframe is likely too difficult to be considered realistic. A 780 is above the 99th percentile - and most Test Takers will never score that high regardless of how long they study or the number of times they take the GMAT. Thankfully, NO Business School requires a score that high, so it's important to realize that the score that you "want" and the score that you "need" (to get into your first-choice School) are not the same thing.

From what you've described, your studies appear to have been 'book heavy.' Unfortunately many Test Takers who study in that way tend to get 'stuck' at a particular score level - and it's possible that that is what has happened to you. Given your needs in the Quant section, you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course that isn't so 'book heavy' with its presentation.

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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by Lavina Yadav » Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:02 pm
Thanks Rich! I can easily put in 5 - 6 hours daily. I took a break from work so that I can focus on the GMAT prep. I took another CAT today and my quant score turned out to be a bit better this time (Q40) so I am hoping it will get better by Sep 15. Re the course... do you think you can help me here?

Regards,
Lavina
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by [email protected] » Tue Aug 15, 2017 3:19 pm
Hi Lavina Yadav,

Based on everything that you've described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Quant Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in under a month - and given your available study time - I think that you would be able to as well. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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by Matt@VeritasPrep » Fri Aug 18, 2017 1:02 pm
Also, if you find that your hit rate isn't improving through sheer volume of practice questions, stop and linger a bit on some of the problems you've already tried. My rule of thumb: if I can't explain this question very, very clearly to a reasonably bright person who doesn't know math, then I don't understand it. Try practicing your explanations to another person, and you'll probably find that your retention and understanding of the material skyrocket. (I would guess all the GMAT teachers on the forum can attest to this!)
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