GMAT in 11 days - need URGENT HELP

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Hi Guys,

I have my GMAT in 11 days. I have been preparing for about a month now (however I only get to study on weekends due to work commitments). I have practiced using the OG, OG supplements (verbal and quant review), and some bits of Kaplan and Manhattan (for theory).

I have given 4 Mock GMATs so far :

1. 02 Nov Official Mock GMAT # 1 - 740 (Math 50, Verbal 40)

Didn't think it went too well as I couldn't finish the math section in time. However, my accuracy levels were pretty good, which made sure that my score was pretty decent. Timing wasn't a problem in verbal.

2. 10 Nov Official Mock GMAT # 2- 790 (Math 51, Verbal 49)
Sorted the math timing issue - everything went well in both sections.

I was pretty happy with my preparation at this point and thought that I only need to even out some rough edges and I ll be fine (i am targeting a ~ 750).

However, in the last one week I gave two more mock tests :

1. 13 Nov - Manhattan GMAT - 650

This mock was considerably more difficult than the official ones. Again, I couldn't finish the math section in time. While timing wasn't an issue in verbal, I got as many as 12-13 questions wrong (vs. 1 wrong in official mock # 2!! ).

2. Today - Kaplan GMAT - 680 (Math 50, Verbal 37)

Math was good - finished it in time (few silly mistakes but overall ok) .
Verbal was really tough - especially the RCs (extremely complex language, very time consuming). SC and CR were ok.

I dont understand why I am unable to score in Manhattan/Kaplan tests. This morning I practiced verbal from the OG verbal review and was getting most questions right (timed practice). However, things didn't go as well in the Kaplan test.

With 11 days left for GMAT ,

1) should I be panicking since I ve had two sub 700 scores in a row?
2) how accurate are Kaplan / Manhattan vs. Official mocks ?
3) any tips on what I can do to improve in these last 11 days?
4) any tips on improving accuracy in the verbal section?

any help/comments/guidance will be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thanks and regards,
Ruchit
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by Jim@StratusPrep » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:48 am
Are the "official mocks" you are talking about from the GMAT Prep software?
GMAT Answers provides a world class adaptive learning platform.
-- Push button course navigation to simplify planning
-- Daily assignments to fit your exam timeline
-- Organized review that is tailored based on your abiility
-- 1,000s of unique GMAT questions
-- 100s of handwritten 'digital flip books' for OG questions
-- 100% Free Trial and less than $20 per month after.
-- Free GMAT Quantitative Review

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by [email protected] » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:54 am
yes, thats correct. the GMAT Prep software.

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by [email protected] » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:41 pm
will really appreciate any help/advice Jim. Thanks.

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by Jim@StratusPrep » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:38 pm
GMAT exams are the best indicator; however, you should study cause if lower scores in the other exams. Never hurts to improve your skill set.
GMAT Answers provides a world class adaptive learning platform.
-- Push button course navigation to simplify planning
-- Daily assignments to fit your exam timeline
-- Organized review that is tailored based on your abiility
-- 1,000s of unique GMAT questions
-- 100s of handwritten 'digital flip books' for OG questions
-- 100% Free Trial and less than $20 per month after.
-- Free GMAT Quantitative Review

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by [email protected] » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:18 pm
Thanks Jim.

I have noticed that through all tests, my math score has been fairly consistent around the 50 level but Verbal score has varied considerably.

Specifically, I was doing very well in RCs in GMATprep tests (and also in OG and OG supplements) but have struggled in the Mahattan/Kaplan tests' RCs.

Any suggestions on how to be smart about improving verbal (specifically RC) accuracy, given the limited amount of time left?

Thanks a ton once again.

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by [email protected] » Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:33 am
Gave the GMAT Prep Test once again.

Results: 770 (Math 50, verbal 45)

While some questions were repeated from last time, it got partly set off by the fact that I had to step away for 5 mins during math section (wasn't feeling well), which meant that i couldn't complete the math section (left 2 questions at the end).

Even if you discount a little for the repeated questions, it is still WAY better than the Kaplan and Manhattan scores.

Do other people face the same problem or is it just me?

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by rahul.sehgal@btgchampion » Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:28 am
Hello Ruchit,

Please see here - https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... prehension.

It has good collection of free RC videos, stating some good strategies. I found their vidoes very good.

Wish you the very best for your exam. Hope, you get what you desire :).

Best Regards
Rahul Sehgal
Best Regards,
Rahul Sehgal

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by harshuw » Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:46 pm
Was your Manhattan score low because of the Quant score? Manhattan Quant and the real Quant are worlds apart (the real one is way easier than Manhattan). So if it's the just the difference in Quant that's causing those ups and downs, I wouldn't worry.

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by [email protected] » Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:00 am
Thanks guys - tough with work during the week but my RCs looking in better shape now. Thanks .

Just gave the first test in the new version of GMAT Prep.

Math - 50
Quant - 44
IR - 8 (my first one, tougher than i thought)
Total - 760

Some of the verbal questions were repeated from the older GMATPrep tests.

With 3 days left, little worried as I tend to get many questions wrong in the final 5-10 questions in Quant. I get most questions in the first 25-27 correct but fall away in the last 10. Don't know if its because questions get tougher or I tend to lose concentration. Any thoughts?