Taking only MGMAT Verbal Section for Verbal Practice?

Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension
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Hey all,

I wanted to know if this is a good strategy for studying for the verbal section on the GMAT: completing only the verbal section on the MGMAT CAT tests every other day (and reviewing incorrect answers)

I completed all of the OG12 problems with almost no major hang ups (and I bought the official verbal guide but people say its useless for harder questions so I dont even know if i'm going to even use it).

I took the GMAT twice and I cant seem to get my score above the 37 range on the verbal section.

Are the OG12 questions just that easy or is the GMAT that much harder since OG12 came out?

I have the Critical Reasoning bible and it helped explain the question types a bit better, and I also went through the MGMAT SC book.

I was thinking about just taking the verbal section of the CAT every other day (my test is in about 2 weeks) and reviewing my errors. Any opinions? Is this smart?

I know its the harder (700+) questions that are holding me back (based on the CAT test evaluation report from MGMAT), most questions below 700 level (according to MGMAT) I am getting right.

Thanks!
Source: — Verbal Reasoning |

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by Tani » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:24 am
Those who write the GMAT work hard to keep the difficulty level consistent from year to year so I doubt if there has been a jump in verbal difficulty since OG12.

I would recommend working with the verbal. If your score is in the mid-30s there are still questions short of the hardest ones that you are not handling correctly. If you were only missing 700+ questions your score would be over 700.

Even the hardest questions build on the principles underlying the easier questions, so improving your grasp of those principles is the best way to move forward. Be very careful you do not end up taking the GMAT too often. I would not even attempt a third try unless I were sure that I could significantly improve my score.

Taking multiple CATs is good unless you take so many that you burn out. When reviewing your results be sure to analyze the questions you got right as well as the ones you got wrong. Often people get a questions right through luck, or guessing. You want to be sure you understand what you are doing right as well as what you are doing wrong. Keep an error log and look to identify mistakes you make consistently so that you can correct them.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff

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by VivianKerr » Mon Mar 14, 2011 7:02 am
Tani is right - if you keep taking CATs one after another your score will not fundamentally improve on its own. I suggest you actively seek out harder Verbal questions. An error log is a great tool, but I'd continue to answer questions as well. The only difference between 700+ SC questions and easier ones is that the 700+ questions test slightly less-common errors/idioms and/or combine more than one error in the same question. But essentially it's the same errors over and over.

Beyond the SC MGMAT and CR Bible, you might want to spend some time on RC. What is your strategy/note-taking for the passages? Have you taken the Powerpreps and reviewed them yet? When you take them again, do you find yourself getting the same questions wrong?

You may also want to read in the "I Beat the GMAT" section of the boards how others have moved their Verbal from 700 to 750+. There are a lot of motivating stories there!

Good luck!
Vivian Kerr
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