Advice please GMAT in 2 weeks

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Advice please GMAT in 2 weeks

by dannya » Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:57 pm
Please feel free to comment on my overall strategy in preparation for d-day on 4/11. For starters, I am scheduled to take the GMAT on 4/11 and I'm aiming for 650+.

The last practice exam that I took was several days ago (3/23). The CAT was GMAT Prep 2 700 Q48/V38. This score is interesting because a week before I took the GMAT Prep 1 CAT and scored 570 Q38/V30. The recent score was an increase in both areas. I've taken both GMAT Prep CATS twice now and I realize that there is a chance of seeing similar questions. I spotted a couple of familiar quant questions, but took the normal amount of time to solve each one. I am also stunned at my last CAT score due to the fact that I hit a string of 5 incorrect answers in quant and also got the last 6 questions in verbal wrong. I had a splitting headache towards the very end of the test and was not able to focus on the last few questions. Anyway, here are my CAT scores thus far and I'll outline my plan for the next two weeks. I had some gaps in the dates of these CATs due to personal/work related issues.

GMAT Prep 1 530 Q36/V26- 8/17/12
GMAT Prep 2 500 Q34/V25- 9/15/12
Veritas Prep free CAT 500 Q22/V33- 10/10/12
MGMAT CAT 640 Q42/V35 - 2/2/13
GMAT Prep 1 570 Q38/V30- 3/16/13
GMAT Prep 2 700 Q48/V38- 3/23/13

Aside from going over the incorrect questions on the last 2 GMAT Prep CATs, I plan to focus 70% of my time studying for the verbal section. On my last practice test, I answered correctly 11 of 13 RC, 6 of 11 CR, and 10 of 17 SC. The verbal spread was comparable to the GMAP Prep CAT that I took 2 weeks ago except I was a little weaker in RC in the prior CAT.

I have been really focused on SC and feel as if I can increase the percentage of questions answered correctly to at least 70%. I've been going through OG difficult SC questions, beat the GMAT SC flashcards, and notes that I've taken from the MGMAT SC book. In specific, I am going through questions that I've missed and researching the explanations on the Beat the GMAT and MGMAT forums.

I will also make sure to spend enough time reviewing CR and RC questions that I've missed and repeating tough questions from the OG.

In terms of quant, I do not feel very strong. That is why I would prefer to attack verbal and aim to boost my verbal score. I will continue reviewing quant material from the OG and practice tests, but I don't think I can learn enough new material in the 2 week time frame in order to really boost my quant score. I have trouble with tough geometry, probability, number properties, functions, and tougher Data Sufficiency questions. I think my accuracy in Data Sufficiency has averaged at around 55% based on recent CATs.

My plan is to repeat GMAT Prep CAT 1&2 prior to test day. I may try to squeeze in the free Kaplan CAT, but I've been reading that its best to stick with official GMAC questions during the last few weeks.

Any thoughts ?
Source: — GMAT Strategy |