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Feeling a Smackdown Coming, Should I Postpone?

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Feeling a Smackdown Coming, Should I Postpone?

by bobofallbobs85 » Wed Jan 27, 2010 2:03 pm
I'll be taking my GMAT for the 3rd time on March 12. I need a score of 500+. My previous GMAT exam scores are:

1st: 400 w/ Q:30 and V:16
2nd: 430 w/ Q:32 and V:17, I guessed the last 8 problems in the Quant. Section due to timing.

During my time in Kaplan Prep before the 2nd GMAT attempt, my practice CAT scores were:

Official GMAT Prep Test2: 430
Kaplan Diagnostic Test: 400
1st: 580
2nd: 510
3rd: 580
4th: 540

After the 2nd attempt, I was suggested by this forum to review my high school math materials. I hired a tutor who teaches HS Algebra I & II and Geometry. After thorough evaluation, he determined that my high school math skills were sufficient.

I restarted my GMAT study again this January, and my practice scores are:

Official GMAT Prep Test1: 500
Kaplan Diagnostic Test: 500
1st: 540 (Kaplan CAT1)
2nd: 600 (Kaplan CAT3)
3rd: 570 (Kaplan CAT4)

I'm feeling that these scores are still too low!

My current strategy is:

(1) Heavy emphasis on Verbal Concepts, starting with Sentence Correction
(2) Make sure I understand and know how to apply the verbal concepts
(3) Practice timing and make sure that I follow strict timing during the practice exam
(4) Review Quantitative Concepts

Do you guys have any suggestions? Do you guys think I need to postpone my exam?
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by carllecat » Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:29 pm
What books are you using for the verbal part? I think the 500+ score can be achieved pretty easily with a 45 days study schedule. You seems to score way lower in the real test than in the practice ones, do you take the mock tests under real conditions?

I took tests with the TV on, my cellphone in the room and my kids at home and let me tel you that I felt like I wan in paradise when I took the real test!

Tell us more about your detailed study plan.
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by bobofallbobs85 » Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:43 pm
carllecat wrote:You seems to score way lower in the real test than in the practice ones, do you take the mock tests under real conditions?
Yes, I did. Before my second attempt on the real GMAT, I took 3 out of 4 mock exams in the Kaplan Testing Center with other students. I completed both essays, took the timed breaks, and completed each section as if it was on the real exam.

However, during my 2nd attempt, I drank way too much water before the verbal section and had to urinate really bad 5 minutes-in. I believe this scenario distracted me. I also had to guess on the last 8 questions for the quantitative section.

during my first attempt I didn't studied till a week before because everyone told me the test was easy. I guess this was a big mistake and cost me dearly.
carllecat wrote:Tell us more about your detailed study plan.
I'm currently using the Kaplan Workshop and Quiz Bank. However, the material expires on 1/31/09. I also started using Manhattan Sentence Correction and Number Properties this week.

During the beginning of the month, I...

(1) Reviewed all the workshops that I felt insufficient in, which are: number properties and all of verbal.
(2) Used quiz bank and practiced 40 quantitative, 15 SC, 15 CR, and 2 reading passages each day timed.

My plan starting next week is:

Week 1, 2, 3:
(a) Manhattan Sentence Correction and complete the related questions for each chapter in OG12.
(b) Manhattan Number Properties and related questions on OG12.
(c) Critical Reasoning Bible
(d) Emphasize timing for each math question. Guess on ones I can't do and go back and redo.
(e) Note incorrect ones on the excel and redo 10 each night.
(f) Review note cards
(g) Take MGMAT exam each week.

Week 4, 5, 6:
(a) Use 1000 SC from online
(b) Reading Comprehension Bible
(c) Manhattan Word Translation
(d) Additional Practices from Princeton 1012 Questions
(e) Take MGMAT and Official GMAT Practice Exams
(f) Review previous notes cards and concepts for CR, SC, etc...
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by money9111 » Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:28 am
One thing that I've realized is that someone can be sufficient at alegbra I & II and Geometry and still score low on the GMAT. The GMAT is all about how to apply it... especially in the DS section.

I just reread your comment and this caught my eye: "I also had to guess on the last 8 questions for the quantitative section." This is detrimental to your score. When you practice - do you time yourself? Definitely know when to give up and move onto the next question...

I was listening to a podcaster from MBA Podcaster on itunes and one of the quotes that I remember vividly is - "Know when to fold'em" meaning... between the time constraints, and the experimental questions, and your sanity it's imperative that you know when you know you don't know something. (i know that was confusing...) This will give you the time needed to finish the exam.
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by bobofallbobs85 » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:18 am
money9111 wrote:
I just reread your comment and this caught my eye: "I also had to guess on the last 8 questions for the quantitative section." This is detrimental to your score. When you practice - do you time yourself? Definitely know when to give up and move onto the next question...
I know! I didn't learn this until I came on this forum! Even at Kaplan they didn't really emphasis on timing. During my practice tests I would never finish the test and still get a 580 or 540!

However, on the actual exam, I was really nervous about my choices and therefore took my sweet time during the beginning of the test. I guessed I learned my lesson...

Since January, I've been making sure that I complete the entire test. I would give myself 3 minutes max on problems that I know I can solve. On questions that I do not understand, I give myself 1 to 1:30 minute max. So far I've been able to finish the test with 30 second to 1 minute left on the clock.
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by money9111 » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:47 am
do you think you should cut down that 3 minutes max to about 2:30 (at least)... i would say 2 but... 2:30 may be more reasonable. because on the exam you'll no doubt spend extra time on questions... so if you're accustomed to spending 3:00 minutes... then you may end up spending 3:15... which will add up.
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by beatthegmat » Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:46 am
Moving this great thread to the GMAT Strategy forum.
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by sars72 » Fri Jan 29, 2010 11:25 am
money9111 wrote:do you think you should cut down that 3 minutes max to about 2:30 (at least)... i would say 2 but... 2:30 may be more reasonable. because on the exam you'll no doubt spend extra time on questions... so if you're accustomed to spending 3:00 minutes... then you may end up spending 3:15... which will add up.
good point money9111. I think for practice, you would want to stick to 2:00 minutes. If you haven't got the answer in 2 minutes, use the data that you've out down and eliminate some answer choices and make an educated guess. In the actual exam you shouldn't be counting down every 2 minutes. IF you do that, you'll end up wasting a lot of time. To help you mentally ascertain that "2 minutes are up", I would suggest doing the og problems with a timer/ beeper that beeps every 2/ 2.5 minutes. Then take a CAT with the same timer/beeper and move on to the next question if the 2.5 minutes are up. After 2 or 3 such CATs, then start doing them without any time tracking tool. You should see a massive difference.
Btw, in the main exam make your self allowances, say if you are sure that you will get the answer by spending a minute more, then go ahead and take the extra minute on the problem. But, don't do this too often or you'll end up in ____.

People tend to spend more time on DS questions that on the PS. This is WRONG!! Many DS questions can be solved in a minute. Yes, there are a few DS questions that will require you to do some calculation. But more often that not, you should be able to pick off the answer choices with a bit of mental math.
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by money9111 » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:17 pm
it's also easier to eliminate answers in DS than in PS... so going off of that... it's easier to guess on the DS with the chance of getting the correct answer than on PS...
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