GMAT Strategy

Hi,

I took MGMAT free exam today and score 640 (Q43, V35). I am targetting a 700+ score and I need to achieve that in next two weeks. Is it a realistic goal?

Following is my scores history on various exams:

Initial diagnostic: 280 (4 months ago)

After 4 months of prep,
(mainly from OG 11, 12, Kaplan 800 and IMS (local institute) classes):

1st Exam: Kaplan CD # 1 ------------> 540 (Q35, V25) (wk # 1)
2nd Exam: Kaplan CD # 2 -----------> 540 (Q33, V27) (wk # 2)
3rd Exam: IMS (Local institute exam):530 (Q35, V25) (wk # 2)
4th Exam: GMATPrep: ----------------> 600 (Q47, V26) (wk # 3)
5th Exam: MGMAT: -------------------> 640 (Q43, V35) (Today) (wk # 4)

Any suggestions for what I need to do in the next two weeks to achieve my goal of 700+ score?

Also, I have couple of Kaplan tests (CD # 3 and CD # 4). Would you suggest me to take these tests or MGMATs? I was thinking of buying MGMAT tests, but I only have 2 weeks to go not sure how many more I will be able to take within these two weeks. Is it worthwhile buying these tests now?

Stacey,

Is it possible to purchase 1 or 2 MGMAT tests instead of buying a set of 6 tests?

As someone who has taken 7 Kaplan CATs and all 6 MGMATs, I'd recommend the MGMATs.

MGMAT math questions are harder than official GMAT Prep but I feel more realistic and better written than Kaplan. Don't know if you can buy them individually though.

What are your weak areas based on the MGMAT test and GMATPrep?

I would think 60 points in two weeks would be difficult to obtain (possible if you didn't study at all). You will need more time to analyze your weaknesses and really dig into your problem areas.

Overall, Quant I feel is my strength and Verbal especially SC is the weak area.

My weak areas in Quant:
1) Inequalities
2) Permutations and Combinations
3) Mixtures, Allegations
4) Statistics

I also felt initially that word-based problems were a weakness, but I have practised a lot on them and I don't seem to have that much of a trouble with these now. I have time trouble, while doing Quant, I end up having to guess last 5-6 questions.

In verbal, my weak area is SC. I am particularly strong in CR (70% hit rate), average in RC (50% hit rate) and very weak in SC (less than 50% hit rate).

I have been studying 2-3 hours per day on week days and 4-5 hours on week ends. I plan to take 1 week leave before the exam.

Suggestions/help please....................................

two suggestions:

- Get your hands on MGMAT SC guide and read over a couple of times

- You don't want to be in a position of guessing the last 5 or 6 questions in quant. Get in the habit of recognizing 2 or 3 questions that you will skip as you go through to save up time for the rest of the test. Spreading out wrong answers/random guesses is very important. The worst thing you can do for your quant score is to get a few questions wrong in a row

Good luck

Hey Sreak,

Looks like I'm in a similar boat - except I have a little more time to take my GMAT. In my case though I started prep about 3 weeks back and have been stuck at 640 like a fixed price tag..!

So I have started doing a few things, which I hope you'll find helpful too...

1. Focus on OG questions - redo everything, understand solution approach, mark out tough questions which one can revisit later.

2. Breathe, slow down, think... in my case, I tend to rush and this is a problem! I actually finish Quant and Verbal at least 15 minutes ahead of time - which is a real disaster in itself.

Most questions are more about logic than any math or verbal skills as such. Of course a high school level proficiency is expected but once you've got that going, the rest is about spotting the right approach.

I guess practice is key. Thats my mantra! All the best to you with your GMAT
moonshine