First Practice CAT: 570 (Q27 V41) Help?

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First Practice CAT: 570 (Q27 V41) Help?

by Desmond » Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:44 pm
So, my brain is apparently a little lopsided. This morning, I worked through the GMATPrep Practice Test 2. I obviously need help with quant and I'm looking for recommendations from the pros. I'd like to raise my quant score into the low to mid 40s. A little background:

Quant: I haven't done math without a calculator in many years. I spent the last two months relearning--I'd forgotten how to do long division--the basics. During this time, I worked through Jeff Sackman's GMAT Math Bible, which was quite helpful. After that, I worked through all of the quant problems in the green OG Quant Review book and the orange OG11 book. I typically did timed sets of 10 problems and usually only three sets per weeknight (I don't have much time for studying after work during the week, though I put in time on the weekends too). I definitely had time management issues during my practice test this morning--I began rushing on question 26 and I blindly filled in answers to the last 8 questions. Generally, it takes me too much time to figure out what to do. And, when that's not the issue, I'm overlooking shortcuts or falling into "traps" that I should see.

Verbal: The verbal questions on my practice test this morning were the very first of the GMAT variety that I'd ever worked through; though, I'm familiar with these types of questions--I took the LSAT ~7 years ago. I'm really not worried about the verbal section. I'm an attorney and I'm forced to think in these terms on a daily basis. With a little better time management, I'm confident that I could raise my score into the high 40s.

I would appreciate any quant recommendations--GMAT math books/guides, specific strategies, study plans, etc.

Many thanks,
Desmond
Last edited by Desmond on Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:48 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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by 4meonly » Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:52 pm
Let me 1st ask you a question: First Practice CAT means that you took real GMAT exam for the first time? If it is so, then 570 (Q27 V41) - is not a bad score, really.
V41 is a dream for a big percentage of test takers! If you are an attorney and already passed through LSAT defenetly you can beat CR and RC questions with high hit rate! Try to improve verbal to 45 points - this is worth doing!

Quant needs improvement. Obviously, you need to work with basics. Use this forum, solve all questions for math. I can suggest you to buy Manhattan Math books - they cover all basics in Math necessary for GMAT. I think there is no need to panic with Q27 - math is easier in improvement than verbal. Just practise and practise. Math is very algorithmetical - soon you'll know all types and approaches. I have a bilogy education and even i can say that math is really easier to study than verbal.

Do not loose your passion - struggle!

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by Desmond » Sat Feb 14, 2009 4:42 pm
4meonly wrote:Let me 1st ask you a question: First Practice CAT means that you took real GMAT exam for the first time? If it is so, then 570 (Q27 V41) - is not a bad score, really.
V41 is a dream for a big percentage of test takers! If you are an attorney and already passed through LSAT defenetly you can beat CR and RC questions with high hit rate! Try to improve verbal to 45 points - this is worth doing!

Quant needs improvement. Obviously, you need to work with basics. Use this forum, solve all questions for math. I can suggest you to buy Manhattan Math books - they cover all basics in Math necessary for GMAT. I think there is no need to panic with Q27 - math is easier in improvement than verbal. Just practise and practise. Math is very algorithmetical - soon you'll know all types and approaches. I have a bilogy education and even i can say that math is really easier to study than verbal.

Do not loose your passion - struggle!
4meonly - Thanks for your response. To answer your question: yes, the GMATPrep test I took this morning was my first ever GMAT test experience. I wasn't devastated considering that was my first test, but I was surprised at just how much quant improvement I'm going to need to reach my goal. I'll look into the Manhattan math books.

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by 4meonly » Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:03 am
You are welcome. Again, 41 in verbal is awesome score! this is 91% below! Work with math and you will defenetly score more than 700!