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Low quant success stories?

Find out how Beat The GMAT members tackled GMAT test prep with positive results. Get tips on GMAT test prep materials, online courses, study tips, and more.
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by kelleygrad05 » Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:26 pm
Not sure if I'm missing something, but it seems like no matter how I search, I really struggle to find success stories where low quant, decent to high verbal were parlayed into a top +700 score. Without sounding derogatory, most of the success stories seem to come from international students that are absolute aces at math/quant but english is a second language and need hurdle the verbal portion. This doesn't match my background at all, and I have more than a few friends that can relate. If anyone is or is aware of success stories of native english speaking test takers that struggled with quant and were able to achieve above 700 with a straight forward study plan, I'd greatly appreciate hearing about it. Thanks!
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by Bschool2013 » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:24 am
There's at least one out there:

https://porquemba.blocked/2011/09/i ... iving.html

The blogger gained admission to Kellogg with a 710 66%Q and 97%V

Obviously she had a lot else going on for her, but it just shows you that a weaker quant score on the GMAT isn't a death-blow.
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by Bschool2013 » Thu Dec 13, 2012 8:29 am
Oops - I thought you were talking about a "success story" as in getting admitted with a lower quant score.

If you want to improve, I highly recommend this book: https://www.totalgmatmath.com/

Create a schedule and go through it cover-to-cover. No shorcuts, no gimmicks. I think a lot of people fall into the trap of trying to solve every possible problem they might encounter, but if they don't master the basics, they won't ever see the really trick problems.

So my advice is: Master the basics. Build a strong foundation that will get you to the tricky problems come test day.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:39 am
You're right - most of the success stories on this site feature international students with great quant scores and lower verbal scores. This is definitely not indicative of most North American students. Having said that, the road to a 700+ score is the same for everyone. The only difference is where we focus our energies.

As Bschool2013 suggests, you need to master the basics, make sure you cover everything that's tested.

You might consider signing up for BTG'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.

Cheers,
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by Jim@StratusPrep » Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:41 am
I have helped many people do this. The common thread in the success stories is that people work their tail off to get the concepts down. Quant can be challenging for many, but the secret is to keep at it. Remember that most of this stuff took years to teach in school...
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by jiggedy » Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:14 pm
I'm an American, and I posted a story on the front page describing my path. I did the official guide and watched the GMATPrepNow stuff. They helped quite a bit. I'm not math genius, but I'm also not a complete idiot.

Anyway, the bright side is that it seems that the scoring algorithm for the GMAT rewards people like you/us. Essentially, you're better off missing a math question than a verbal question all else equal. That may not provide much solace, but it means you've got a shot. Just put the time in. There's no getting around it.
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by gatortomba » Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:35 pm
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:You're right - most of the success stories on this site feature international students with great quant scores and lower verbal scores. This is definitely not indicative of most North American students. Having said that, the road to a 700+ score is the same for everyone. The only difference is where we focus our energies.

As Bschool2013 suggests, you need to master the basics, make sure you cover everything that's tested.

You might consider signing up for BTG'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.

Cheers,
Brent
Is there an "avg" GMAT profile for English speaking Americans vs Internationals?
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Dec 14, 2012 4:56 pm
gatortomba wrote: Is there an "avg" GMAT profile for English speaking Americans vs Internationals?
The test-makers often release a variety of stats regarding test-takers around the world: https://www.gmac.com/~/media/Files/gmac/ ... o-2012.pdf

It has several interesting stats broken down by a wide range of criteria.

Cheers,
Brent

I've also attached it here.
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by kelleygrad05 » Wed Dec 19, 2012 3:34 pm
Really appreciate all the input and feedback, albeit I'm still struggling to find a meager few stories demonstrating improving quant dramatically in what seems to be an ocean of success stories of international students dramatically improving their verbal scores. Any and all additional information will be greatly appreciated!
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by saadiagha » Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:42 pm
I can relate to you. I am decent to good at verbal, but my quant is pretty below average.
however after visiting this website, and reading some of the stories, I really think its not a big deal to crack the GMAT. There are a few stories where people with horrible math skills aced the GMAT. They are pretty old so youll have to find them, but they are there!

My advice, and I am not some test beater but in fact just started studying and finding it quite difficult to wrap my head around number properties advanced, dont give up! I feel that one day, in a few months, after revising concepts again and again, working on questions again and again, something will click! And when THAT happens, youll suddenly realize math is a self taught skill. From that point onwards itll come down to improving it.
Dont give up, cause I am in this exactly like you, and not wanting to give up! Itll take a few months, I know it, but I am prepared to give it that.
Ive been using MGMAT for number properties, and I can say its sublime. I dont know about total gmat math, but a lot of people have mentioned it, and after watching some of his videos on gmathacks.com I think he seems to be the sort of teacher whod do a good job.
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by shellyr88 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:23 am
I think the key is to realize that everyone goes into the GMAT having weaknesses, thats how you know where to focus your efforts and how to make a successful study plan.

Verbal definitely came more naturally to me, as it sounds like it does to you. Quant, on the other hand, was a struggle for me from day 1. In fact, of the 4 practice tests I did before my test, I only finished the Quant section in 2 of them. I worked so hard on quant every day doing strictly timed sets, reviewing every question (whether right or wrong), finding alternate ways to do problems and by the end, I can honestly say I felt more comfortable with Quant than Verbal (Ended up getting Q49/V39, 720).

Hope that helps to motivate you a little bit!
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