I would appreciate some advice.
My story:
GMAT first attempt: Aug 17th 2012: 600 (Quant 45 Verbal 28), AWA 4.5, IR 7.
Prep: MGMAT RC, CR & SC.
Kaplan RC, CR, SC - only some, liked MGMAT so stuck with it.
OG : RC, CR & SC.
OG : PS, DS - first and last 30 questions each.
I knew Quant would be my stronger area, hence completely concentrated on Verbal.
GMAT Prep Test (one week before exam) - this was my fault, hadn't taken it before, didn't know where I stood, Big Lesson learnt. Had a 540.
Next complete week, stayed at home, completed OG : RC, CR & SC. Tried to do it in time restricted manner but was not able to reach the less than 2 mins time mark per question. So very well knew that the test would not be a 700 scorer but wanted to give best attempt in situation at hand.
Also gave MGMAT CATs during that week, scores improved to 580.
Test day: AWA and IR went smooth, thought IR was quite easy.
Had good confidence going into Quant, managed quite well but had to guess last 4-5 problems.
Took a breather, thought - now it is the time, last section of the test, should close it well. Started fine on Verbal but soon realized that, in order to ensure that I answer correctly, I was going quite slow. Didn't go decent, had to guess 15+ questions.
Knew score won't be great but didn't wanted to see 5 in hundredth place and just got accordingly, a 600.
Post exam:
Thought I can definitely improve Quant to reach 50-51. Quant has always been my liking subject and decided to make it the strongest one.
One major flaw I identified in my attempt was that I did not had a pre-defined strategy memorized in my mind for each question type. I knew and understood everything individually but probably had not drew a permanent picture in my mind relating strategy against question type.
Prep 2:
Ordered MGMAT Quant - 5 books + Advanced Strategy guide.
Have completed the 5 books including all problems in them in timed manner by now.
Now, the problems:
Gave MGMAT CAT- only Quant test twice, one last week and second this week. The dreadful thing -- score not improving.
My observations: If I approach, in a way to solve all correctly, I am left short of time. If I go quick enough to keep pace with time per question, I have to guess quite a few questions, which I can solve with no time pressure and with calm mind.
For verbal, I thought I needed fresh strategy, hence have got PowerScore Bible CR and SC. Have started reading CR.
I have read in quite a lot posts over here to practice OG and GMATPrep thoroughly.
My immediate plan now is to solve OG and GMATPrep in a time restricted manner for Quant and simultaneously build up strategy for solving Verbal.
I plan to join Fall 2013, hence had scheduled for Sept 25th for second attempt.
Please advice what should I focus on now and how should I go about things. Any suggestion on test date and should I postpone it, how far could I stretch the date given that I should have sufficient time for essays and application process, i guess for Round 2.
Thank you for reading.
Advice welcomed!!
My story:
GMAT first attempt: Aug 17th 2012: 600 (Quant 45 Verbal 28), AWA 4.5, IR 7.
Prep: MGMAT RC, CR & SC.
Kaplan RC, CR, SC - only some, liked MGMAT so stuck with it.
OG : RC, CR & SC.
OG : PS, DS - first and last 30 questions each.
I knew Quant would be my stronger area, hence completely concentrated on Verbal.
GMAT Prep Test (one week before exam) - this was my fault, hadn't taken it before, didn't know where I stood, Big Lesson learnt. Had a 540.
Next complete week, stayed at home, completed OG : RC, CR & SC. Tried to do it in time restricted manner but was not able to reach the less than 2 mins time mark per question. So very well knew that the test would not be a 700 scorer but wanted to give best attempt in situation at hand.
Also gave MGMAT CATs during that week, scores improved to 580.
Test day: AWA and IR went smooth, thought IR was quite easy.
Had good confidence going into Quant, managed quite well but had to guess last 4-5 problems.
Took a breather, thought - now it is the time, last section of the test, should close it well. Started fine on Verbal but soon realized that, in order to ensure that I answer correctly, I was going quite slow. Didn't go decent, had to guess 15+ questions.
Knew score won't be great but didn't wanted to see 5 in hundredth place and just got accordingly, a 600.
Post exam:
Thought I can definitely improve Quant to reach 50-51. Quant has always been my liking subject and decided to make it the strongest one.
One major flaw I identified in my attempt was that I did not had a pre-defined strategy memorized in my mind for each question type. I knew and understood everything individually but probably had not drew a permanent picture in my mind relating strategy against question type.
Prep 2:
Ordered MGMAT Quant - 5 books + Advanced Strategy guide.
Have completed the 5 books including all problems in them in timed manner by now.
Now, the problems:
Gave MGMAT CAT- only Quant test twice, one last week and second this week. The dreadful thing -- score not improving.
My observations: If I approach, in a way to solve all correctly, I am left short of time. If I go quick enough to keep pace with time per question, I have to guess quite a few questions, which I can solve with no time pressure and with calm mind.
For verbal, I thought I needed fresh strategy, hence have got PowerScore Bible CR and SC. Have started reading CR.
I have read in quite a lot posts over here to practice OG and GMATPrep thoroughly.
My immediate plan now is to solve OG and GMATPrep in a time restricted manner for Quant and simultaneously build up strategy for solving Verbal.
I plan to join Fall 2013, hence had scheduled for Sept 25th for second attempt.
Please advice what should I focus on now and how should I go about things. Any suggestion on test date and should I postpone it, how far could I stretch the date given that I should have sufficient time for essays and application process, i guess for Round 2.
Thank you for reading.
Advice welcomed!!
