You might think that a 42 in Quant (50th %ile) is quite low while a 38 in Verbal (85th %ile) is quite high, but those
percentiles are based on a global population taking the test. The raw scores themselves are meant to correspond to a skill level. So in absolute terms, your verbal score is actually lower!
If you're aiming for a 700+ score to get into top schools, you probably want to aim for a Quant score of above 46, and a Verbal above 40. So, I think you have ground to gain in both sections.
You could just take practice tests and piece together all of the rules, but it's much more effective to study from experts. Any top company's strategy guides will provide you with explanation of the content tested, as well as expert test-taking strategies. You can read more about Manhattan Prep's here:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/store/book-packages/
You should also practice your skills with an Official Guide, tracking your work as you go. Here's your plan:
- Read a chapter in a strategy guide, then practice with OG problems that correspond to that topic. For example, read the chapter on SC subject/verb agreement, then go do a set of 8-10 problems in the OGs that relate to that subject. You can find problems by topic using GMAT Navigator:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/stor ... navigator/
Do this for each chapter in the Quant and Verbal strategy guides. Aim to do this in 8-10 weeks.
- Make sure you are tracking all of the OG questions you do, and timing yourself while you practice. Hold yourself to strict 2-min time limits per question! (I highly recommend using Navigator to track your OG problems)
- Alternate between Quant and Verbal. Don't just focus all on one or the other.
- Keep a record of any mistakes you make, so you can locate patterns in your errors:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -studying/
- Once you've covered all of the topics, practice your skills with random timed sets out of the OGs. Set the timer for 20 minutes, for example, and do questions 1-10 (skipping any you've already done).
- Take a practice test after 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks after that. Increase to a test every week for the last 2 weeks before your real exam.
- Analyze your data from the random sets and practice tests, and go back to any topics that need extra work.
Good luck!
