GMAT Strategy

I took Kaplan and GMATPrep tests awhile ago and I realized that I needed to improve my Verbal. Following were my GMAT practice test scores:
Kaplan CD Practice Test 128-Feb Q26 V29 520
Kaplan CD Practice Test 2 7-Mar Q33 V23 530
GMATprep Test 1 14-Mar Q44 V23 560
Princeton Reivew CAT 1 22-Mar Q44 V30 610

I started using MGMAT SC and PowerScore CR books for my preparation. I understood the strategies from the books. I have been taking MGMAT CAT and so far I have scored

Manhattan GMAT CAT 1 14-Nov Q44 V31 610
Manhattan GMAT CAT 2 21-Nov Q45 V31 620

I realized that I did not use the strategies for SC, CR, and RC during the test. I am not sure why, maybe because of the time pressure. During the verbal section, I just wanted the Verbal section to be over. It was hard to concentrate during the Verbal section. I felt like I lost the energy during the verbal section and I was just trying to read and answer the questions.

Have you guys felt like that during the verbal section?

I wish that verbal were the second section on the GMAT.

I will take GMAT on Dec 15. My goal is to score 700+.

Any comments?

mbamaverick wrote:I took Kaplan and GMATPrep tests awhile ago and I realized that I needed to improve my Verbal. Following were my GMAT practice test scores:
Kaplan CD Practice Test 128-Feb Q26 V29 520
Kaplan CD Practice Test 2 7-Mar Q33 V23 530
GMATprep Test 1 14-Mar Q44 V23 560
Princeton Reivew CAT 1 22-Mar Q44 V30 610

I started using MGMAT SC and PowerScore CR books for my preparation. I understood the strategies from the books. I have been taking MGMAT CAT and so far I have scored

Manhattan GMAT CAT 1 14-Nov Q44 V31 610
Manhattan GMAT CAT 2 21-Nov Q45 V31 620

I realized that I did not use the strategies for SC, CR, and RC during the test. I am not sure why, maybe because of the time pressure. During the verbal section, I just wanted the Verbal section to be over. It was hard to concentrate during the Verbal section. I felt like I lost the energy during the verbal section and I was just trying to read and answer the questions.

Have you guys felt like that during the verbal section?

I wish that verbal were the second section on the GMAT.

I will take GMAT on Dec 15. My goal is to score 700+.

Any comments?

hmm...I think you should stop taking practice tests, and start doing verbal OG problems. I doubt you're going to get 700+ with a verbal score in low 30s (I think MGMAT verbal scores are fairly accurate of your current ability). You KNOW the strategies, now go practice them, so when you play (take a practice test), the strategies will be your natural way of dealing with the problems.

When under pressure, we all resort to our habits. If you take the time now to build a habit of solving verbal problems using the strategies you've learned, then when you're stressed (i.e. tired and under a time limit), you'll still fall back on those strategies.

As for losing energy, I'd take half a caffeine pill during the break between quant and verbal. Could be just the pick me up you need to regain that focus.