Go slowly to have a good score or Quick guessing

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I've been working for the GMAT now for several months and my best score so far is 420. The targeted score is around 650-690. I think I can reach this score but it is a big commitment.
I quite clear about the GMAT expectation and I know what to do but there is one question which keeps in my mind. This question is about do the whole GMAT section questions or Not to do?

So I need your clever toughs and experience to help me, to not think about it anymore and to go ahead. Before to do so, here is a quick debrief of what I did so far and why I ask this question: So far I took the GMAT test 3 times with Manhattan GMAT and I have already book the date of 15 June for the real GMAT Exam.
- First time I did 26 questions on the Math section and 28 in the verbal section my score was 380 (32 in Math and 10 in the verbal section).
- Second test: I did 34 questions the math section & 34 questions in the verbal section: my score was 400 (37 in Math and 11 in the Verbal Section)
- Third test: 37 questions in the Math section and 41 question in the verbal section. My score was 420 (22 in Math and 25 in the Verbal section).
Between my second and third test there is one week working on the Verbal section, so I happy for this score and I have calculated that to have to have my target score I should have 45 in math & 35 in verbal. I can do it.

As I will take the real exam on June 15th, I don't think I'll be ready but I wish to have a decent score (around 600). I've noticed also that I had 37 with only 34 questions in Math and 32 with 26 questions. I know now my level in math is between 30 & 40 and in verbal between 20 - 30. Thus I'm convinc to go slowly in math in order to have my current level score and speed up in verbal to be around 30. And keep working to be ready in August and have my dreamt 690. That makes sens ?

Behind my question of finish or not finish, obviously I know it is better to finish, but the real question is in case you can do properly 30 questions in Math & 34 questions in verbal with a good percentage of right answer, is it possible to have between 600 - 650?
Or is it better to do as above to guarantee a good percentage of right answer, and then make a quick guessing for the remaining 7 math and 11 verbal questions?
Thanks in advance for your answer and to share your strategy
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by vineeshp » Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:26 pm
A short pointer: The penalty is sever if you dont finish each section. Concentrate well on the first few questions and get them right. (Something well begun is half done!)
From then on, use your time judicisouly. If you see you are unable to solve it in the time frame for a question, guess and move on.

(Additionally, SC questions will never take more than 2 minutes. Try, working hard in SC.)

If you are sure you want 600 plus and are at 400s now, why are you taking the test now if you are going to take it in August again anyway? Just reschedule it now itself. What say? (Just an opinion)
Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert. :)

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by serge » Fri Jun 03, 2011 12:32 am
Vineeshp, thanks for your answer, it makes sens to post on the exam, but I'd like to do it now even if I know I'm not ready for the target score. This first Exam is a key part of my preparation, I know myself and I know I need a real experience.I only hope it won't penalise me too much !

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by chendawg » Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:59 am
serge wrote:Vineeshp, thanks for your answer, it makes sens to post on the exam, but I'd like to do it now even if I know I'm not ready for the target score. This first Exam is a key part of my preparation, I know myself and I know I need a real experience.I only hope it won't penalise me too much !
Honestly, you'd be wasting 250 bucks. Just reschedule the exam and pay the extra 50 to take it a few months later. Practice exams aren't the real thing, but realistically they are a good indicator of your score.
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