PLEASE HELP GUYS, IM IN BIG TROUBLE

Expert replies

7773377: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:38 pm

by 7773377 » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:19 pm

Hey everyone!

I will tell my sad story, and really want you to give me any sort of advice. I'm finance major student graduated from Pace University , New York in may 2009. I am 20 years old(graduated early), and started studying for gmat since last april of 09. I've taken Manhattan Gmat Course twice, taken 6 cats and 2 gmatprep cats. My scores were all close to low 600s and high 500s...Today I've taken a real test, and got a sad score of 510 (Q44, V17) I was very disappointed, since I though that I would get 600 at least. My problem was timing on verbal section, and RC..no matter how many times i've read the passage(both short and long) i couldn't comprehend it AT ALL. I'm not a native english speaker, I came from Russia about 7 years ago...but I believe my english is not crucially bad. After 2nd passage, i've realized that there is no point for me of wasting time on those, so next 2 long passages i guessed all of the answer choices(basically skipped them) so I could've had time for CR and SC which i though i was better, but realized at the end that I wasn't..in result BAD 510...really pissed off. I wanted to score around 620-630 and my school choices were Rutgers and Warwick (in England). What is your advice about my situation? THANKS A LOT!

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:19 pm

DanaJ: Site Admin; Posts: 2567; Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 amFollowed by: 550 members; Thanked: 712 times; GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:49 am

The best RC review I've seen is in the Kaplan Verbal Workbook. However, there are other books out there that can help. I personally found the PowerScore CR Bible useful for both CR and RC. You might also consider the RC bible from the same company, but I haven't personally reviewed that one.

Oh and a word of advice: if you get all the questions wrong from one particular question type (say all from RC), then your score will fall dramatically as compared to a situation when you had 2-3 mistakes from each section.

gmattering: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:43 am

by gmattering » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:09 am

DanaJ wrote:The best RC review I've seen is in the Kaplan Verbal Workbook. However, there are other books out there that can help. I personally found the PowerScore CR Bible useful for both CR and RC. You might also consider the RC bible from the same company, but I haven't personally reviewed that one.

Oh and a word of advice: if you get all the questions wrong from one particular question type (say all from RC), then your score will fall dramatically as compared to a situation when you had 2-3 mistakes from each section.

Hi dana, your GMAT score is godlike. =)
can you share specifically how did you tackle verbal (i am dead worried about this?)
i have a view which maybe you can comment on - i feel SC is somehow easier to focus on since you just need to get the verbs and structure right unlike CR and RC which can really make your head swim and eat up precious time.
So is it a good strategy to quickly zip through a SC Question when it pops up during the test (i mean answering it real quick with a reasonable degree of accuracy and effort to free up time to tackle the time consuming CR/RC) ?
of course, needless to say this should be the approach to take in regards to all questions but i'm just "strategizing" and visualizing how to play the verbal game - appreciate your feedback - tks

DanaJ: Site Admin; Posts: 2567; Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 amFollowed by: 550 members; Thanked: 712 times; GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:27 am

From the beginning of my prep I had no trouble with RC, so I focused on SC and particularly CR. For CR, I used the CR Bible, while for SC I relied on a combination of books. However, after reviewing other books, I'd say the MGMAT SC guide is the most reliable when tackling this type of question.

Yes, it is a good idea to go faster on SCs. You have to answer each verbal question in around 1 min and 45 seconds, but my advice is to go for maybe 1 min or 1 min and 10 seconds for SC and use the time you save with CR and RC, not unlike the strategy you suggested. However, don't go over SC too fast. If you have say 10 missed questions that are all in SC, your verbal score will be lower as compared to a situation in which you missed a few from each section.

gmattering: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:43 am

by gmattering » Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:31 am

DanaJ wrote:From the beginning of my prep I had no trouble with RC, so I focused on SC and particularly CR. For CR, I used the CR Bible, while for SC I relied on a combination of books. However, after reviewing other books, I'd say the MGMAT SC guide is the most reliable when tackling this type of question.

Yes, it is a good idea to go faster on SCs. You have to answer each verbal question in around 1 min and 45 seconds, but my advice is to go for maybe 1 min or 1 min and 10 seconds for SC and use the time you save with CR and RC, not unlike the strategy you suggested. However, don't go over SC too fast. If you have say 10 missed questions that are all in SC, your verbal score will be lower as compared to a situation in which you missed a few from each section.

I am reviewing MGMAT SC 2003 (the free copy) - hope it suffices. i bought MGMAT quant books and at this point of time, i think i have quite a bit to cover so i dont think i am getting new material in unless it's real good.

i am not as worried with SC as CR/RC - so i think i will focus hard on SC and treat this as quick wins to leave me more time to deal with CR/RC

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review