GMAT Strategy

Hi,

I took GMAT thrice and each time ended up with low score in verbal. Though, I never got below 30 in either GMATPrep or MGMAT(usually hovering around 35), sored around 20 in actual tests. My earlier attempts were futile as I lacked a good preperation but this time even after a good preperation I ended up with low score.

I am not a native speaker and I started learning english from 5th Std in school. So, basically English is not my first language. I have appeared for CAT in the past and scored around 90%lie in english(Many Indian applicants must be aware of this test) but I don't know, why failed so miserably in GMAT verbal.

My strengths are RC and CR but I am not so good in SC. I went through Manhattan SC, OG and few freely available resources on net. Learned basic concepts, which GMAT tests. But, when it came to SC questions in actual tests, I was too much confused about the right answer and after initial 5-6 questions I got worried about the test. So, I believe it is not just about the rules but something else also. Need to have so good command that I should be able to answer the questions effortlessly within 1 3/4 mins!

I need expert advice and tips over here-
1. What materials I should refer now, considering my such low scores?
2. What impact it makes if I answer initial 2-3 questions incorrectly?
3. I have exhausted all the tests of MGMAT,GMATPrep and VeritasPrep. So, which tests I should take up now for full length tests.

Thanks-

Seems like you have exhausted most of the material.

1. Yes, SC is not only about rules but understanding their application. You may want to go through the Manhattan SC again else you will find SC Grail 3rd edition quite helpful.
3. AFAIK, initial questions matter but not very much. You can always bounce back if you do well in subsequent questions
4. I think by the time you are ready to retake the tests, you would probably not remember the questions. I'd still put my 2 cents on MGMAT and GMATPREP tests. Can't say about VeritasPrep because didn't use it. Another strategy you can use is use one free practice test of different companies. I think Kaplan, Mastergmat and others provide one free practice test each. You may want to try them.

Good suggestions by Unclesam2013. I had personally used SC Grail and found it to be better for SC. Anyway, the good news for you is that you say that you consider "CR and RC as your strengthens" but what beats me is that inspite of what how did you land up with a 20 on Verbal ?

Right..even i am not able to figure it out. My accuracy for RC\CR is around 80%.

I had around 5-6 SC questions initially. Though I answered those, i was doubtful of my answeres and stressed out. So, I guess, I might have marked many more questions incorrect in a row under stress.

Throughout quant, I was calm and relaxed.Scored 49. But, after finishing my verbal, I was stressed out. I believe, if you are doing well then it happens effortlessly, without any stress. And, this did not happen in Verbal. So, I am trying to figure it out, what I should do more apart from learning from the usual materials.

BeattheVerbal wrote:Hi,
I need expert advice and tips over here-
1. What materials I should refer now, considering my such low scores?
2. What impact it makes if I answer initial 2-3 questions incorrectly?
3. I have exhausted all the tests of MGMAT,GMATPrep and VeritasPrep. So, which tests I should take up now for full length tests.

Thanks-

My $0.02 here:

1. I think the problem is not so much in terms of "material". It is is recognizing your problem and fixing that. Let me give you an analogy - you have pain in your left foot, causing you not to run fast. If you go to a doctor and tell him "I need to run faster" what do you think the doctor can do The same is with GMAT "experts". Unless you can tell them your problem (either symptomatic or diagnostic) I don't think anyone can prescribe any solution. Having said that, let me give you a few suggestions. Write down your top 3 problems in SC, CR, RC and general GMAT test taking. Make sure this is based on your analysis. Here are some good resources to analyze your questions:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/a ... roblem.cfm
https://www.crackverbal.com/nailed-it-mi ... crewed-it/

2. I hope this question is just for academic purpose - in which case the answer is: it will adversely affect you. But this shouldn't matter to you - you need to answer the questions correctly. That should be your only goal.

3. Tests are mere assessment tools and they are not great. Scroll to the 5th post on this page where I have put my views: https://www.crackverbal.com/forum/thread ... -tests/289 My larger concern would be to focus on the areas that you need to improve on. Getting a 20 on Verbal means there is a more basic problem.

HTH,

Arun

Replying to a few points from your last post:

BeattheVerbal wrote:Right..even i am not able to figure it out. My accuracy for RC\CR is around 80%.

The problem with using accuracy as a metric is that it ignores the "weight" of the questions. Essentially you are using arithmetic mean when you should be using weighted average. 80% accuracy is phenomenal if they were questions in the 40-45 raw score range. 80% accuracy is expected if they were in the 15-20 raw score range. Get the point?

BeattheVerbal wrote: I had around 5-6 SC questions initially. Though I answered those, i was doubtful of my answeres and stressed out. So, I guess, I might have marked many more questions incorrect in a row under stress.

Considering you will get roughly 16-17 SC questions it is not surprising you got around 5-6 in the first 10-12 questions (though a bit lop-sided). So what I understand is you ended up screwing your test due to stress. If that is the reason then there is really no need to worry about your preparedness level. Because no matter how prepared you are, if you get a panic attack then your scores are bound to go down.

Arun

Thanks Arun for ur reply..

I do feel, I was stressed in the begining of the test..looking at SC,just couldn't make out what should be the correct ans. Stress was more for the reason, it was my 3rd attempt..+ in practice tests..I was in the range of 35 but never scored so pathetic!! SC has always been my weak area! Understanding CR and RC is more of a logic and concentration but SC is altogether different game.

I am not sure whether it was a good idea to go ahead with the test. My second question was basically to understand, how much does it really matter ,lets say if i ans incorrectly initial 4-5 qstns(which all were SC in my case)?

Now, its been 2 weeks, and am still wondering..what I should prepare now and how I can keep my nerves under check if I appear again!!