Retaking the GMAT. Raise your score 50 points in one month?

This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 5:26 pm
Hi, I recently took the GMAT and failed to reach my minimum goal of 610. I want to take the GMAT again in 30 days so that I can apply for this years class, however I will now be writing the new GMAT now and I clearly need to work on the original areas as well as integrated reasoning. I am more concerned about my score out of 800 so I think I could just do the bear minimum for integrated reasoning, however what that is I have no idea.

What strategies would you take to raise your score 50 points in 30 days while also learning the new integrated reasoning section?

About me and my studying so far:

I wrote the GMAT last Thursday and Failed to break the 600's. I took several practice tests the week before and scored between 590 and 680 depending on the day. On test day I found my major problems to be timing and the ability to implement the strategies I studied fast enough. My biggest trouble spots are Reading Comprehension (The first passage on the GMAT too me so long with out realizing and I had to rush through the remaining 30 questions, primarily the reading comp to regain time) and timing in the Quant section (I tend to get caught up over analyzing and over calculating too many times, however I always finish onetime, as I just guess when this happens if I spend more than 2 min on a question).

To study I used KAPLAN premier and then to brush up on my weak points in math I used the Manhattan Gmat Books. So far I have invested about 6 weeks studying 5-4 hours a day during the week and 7-8 on the weekend.

If anyone has any help or advice from there own experience it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon May 28, 2012 7:38 am
Your practice tests between 590 and 680 suggest that you already possess the skills and content knowledge necessary to reach your target score of 610.

It sounds like you just need to work on your time management.

I suggest taking more practice tests. You might also wish to watch this video on time management: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/02/ ... n-test-day

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 5:26 pm

by Cliff33 » Thu May 31, 2012 10:28 am
Thanks Brent,


Your response was very helpful and encouraging.

I have another question though. Since I also have to learn integrated reasoning over the next 4 weeks as well I was wondering if there is a way you would recommend I study for it to just get the bear minimum in the shortest period of time?

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu May 31, 2012 10:33 am
Cliff33 wrote:Thanks Brent,


Your response was very helpful and encouraging.

I have another question though. Since I also have to learn integrated reasoning over the next 4 weeks as well I was wondering if there is a way you would recommend I study for it to just get the bear minimum in the shortest period of time?
The IR section doesn't test any skills beyond the skills you need to know for the Verbal and Quant sections. The main difference is the question format.

So, given your timeframe, I'd probably just work on the 50 practice questions your get with the OG13.
There's also an IR section on the new GMATPrep software, so you can try more questions there.
That should pretty much get you up to speeed.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 5:26 pm

by Cliff33 » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:31 pm
Thanks again for the help, I rewrote the GMAT last week and obtained a 650 which I was rather pleased with. Funnily enough I still felt as though I could have done better, however I think I will stick with that score for now.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
Followed by:1268 members
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:17 am
Cliff33 wrote:Thanks again for the help, I rewrote the GMAT last week and obtained a 650 which I was rather pleased with. Funnily enough I still felt as though I could have done better, however I think I will stick with that score for now.
Great work!
650 is better than 79% of all GMAT scores, and GMAT test-takers are a smart group of people - very nice!!

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image