Hi Enginpassa1,
If you are practicing problems in the Official Guide, did you make up some sort of plan about what you wanted to study? And, if you are missing things and scoring lower on your practice test or tests, did you go over every question from the one that you took before? How many practice tests have you taken in the last couple of months?
You really need to make sure that you know and understand all of the math concepts that are tested on the GMAT. Take a good look at the GMAT resources on this website where someone posted a list of what is tested on the GMAT. I know that you don't have a detailed list of what subjects are covered in the Official Guide questions because there isn't one for the 11th edition yet. Maybe, I can help you by making up a list for you, but you will have to let me know?
Reading Comprehension is pretty hard for me, too. But, the key to being able to do that kind of thing, you have to look for and find the technique that will work for you. Maybe, you could go to the library to see if they have copies of GMAT test prep books. Or, you can go to the GMAT resources part of this website and look for any posts or blogs written about Reading Comprehension. You have to have your own strategy for that and use it every time you do an RC passage. Focusing is the key with RC the most, too.
Studying, practicing, and "trying to get it" when it comes to the GMAT, can be a very frustrating experience for most people. I think that there are a lot of examples on this forum about some people who have done very well on the GMAT and, there are lots of people who haven't done very well on the test, too. The thing that you have in your favor is that you haven't taken the test yet, you are still studying for it. I think that I have to reaffirm the statement that I made to you before about making a plan about what you are going to study and, that you know why you are going to study it, every day that you study. Then, you need to make sure that you are learning something from everything that you do. That especially means that you need to focus the most on the things that you can't do right, or that you don't how know to something well, or that you missed things on your practice tests.
Let me know if you want me to make you a list of the subjects covered in the Official Guides? I will send you that information on a step by step basis.
You will only feel comfortable with how you are doing with your prep work for the GMAT, if you have been practicing efficiently and effectively. That means that you have to know the math concepts cold. You have to have a set study plan and schedule. You have to do practice problems and questions in a systematic way, paying attention to both your strengths and weaknesses. You need to know how to work under timed conditions. And, most of all, you need to develop a certain sense of confidence in yourself so that you can proceed in this endeavor as the GMAT aspirant that I know that you want to be. That will come to you if you have made a plan, did the things that you said that you were going to do, and that you turned your weaknesses into strengths. Studying for the GMAT is a long drawn out process that does require a lot of focusing and stamina to do well on the prep work that will lead you to the test.
By the way, you are going through the same things that I have before myself. I am not an expert, I am someone who cares and I do like to help other people, too. I would think about working for a score on the GMAT that you think is realistic in terms of what you know and what you don't know. Be as realistic as you can about that for sure. I couldn't develop a target score because I only want the score that will get me into the MBA program that I am aiming for. That is all I am doing is trying my very best to get what I need. I know what score that I have to get. I am looking for nothing more and nothing less than that.
Greg
