I took the GMAT 3 weeks back and scored a low 580(Q46,V25). Essay = 5.0 and IR = 3.0. I am very disappointed with score since I had put in a lot of effort during my 4 month prep. In quant I had scored 45 & 49 in GMATPrep1 and GMATPrep2. Even though my math score is decent, I think I do too many calculations which are not really required. I knew I could score 49 in actual GMAT exam too, but on the day of my exam I lost 3mins in quant section (don't ask how but yes I did). This really made me panic alot.
The main problem for me is verbal. My score for verbal says it all. Im so ashamed of my verbal score. Theory wise I left no stone unturned. But I guess application of that theory is where I lacked. I got better in SC with practice during my prep but CR was a hurdle for me. I'm not the best test taker. My timing is not good, especially in CR (ave time for CR = 3mins, SC=1.5mins, RC=2mins). I have never had the time to even read the last RC passage, so the ave time listed in the previous sentence does not even include spending any time on the last RC passage. During my practice tests and GMAT too, I guessed all the answers of the last RC passage. I did put in effort to get my timing right but the itch in me to answer every question properly costs me a lot. Why I do this? One of the reasons is that I don't trust my previous question's attempted answer.
Here is the summary of the materials I used during my GMAT prep.
Books: MGMAT 4th ed for quant and Verbal. I even studied powerscore CR for verbal.
Practice Quetions: solved complete OG 12th ed, 2nd ed verbal and quant review. I had maintained a list of the questions I answered wrong so that I review the ones i got wrong. Clearly, I didn't learn anything.
Practice tests:
MGMAT1: 420 (practice test)
MGMAT2: 500 (Q31; V28)
MGMAT3: 530 (Q43; V20)
MGMAT4: 590 (Q44; V27)
MGMAT5: 660 (Q44; V36)
GMATPrep1: 550 (Q45; V21)
GMATPrep2: 650 (Q49; V27)
GMATPrep1 (retake): 680 (Q49; V33)
GMATPrep2 (retake): 690 (Q49; V34)
I know I need to improve my speed and concepts in CR and RC. These are the two sections that have brought my score down. Sometimes I think I should get help from a GMAT tutor only for CR but I do not know any reliable tutors out there through any of my sources. Appreciate any suggestions (location: Bethesda, MD). The classes are way too expensive. They don't even have any option for just verbal classes (that too will include material and practice exams. why will I again pay for the material again). So I have decided to put in more effort in the areas in which I'm weak.
Please advise me from your experience about the min time I should study before taking the GMAT again to achieve a target score of 700. What should me strategy be during this period? My timing is bad so I believe I should start taking more CATs. I have exhausted GMAT prep and 5 MGMAT CATs.
I will definitely need to track all the wrong answers and reason each answer choice. Please give me some more inputs. If someone wants to know some other strategy that I used so that he/she can give some positive input then do let me know.
The main problem for me is verbal. My score for verbal says it all. Im so ashamed of my verbal score. Theory wise I left no stone unturned. But I guess application of that theory is where I lacked. I got better in SC with practice during my prep but CR was a hurdle for me. I'm not the best test taker. My timing is not good, especially in CR (ave time for CR = 3mins, SC=1.5mins, RC=2mins). I have never had the time to even read the last RC passage, so the ave time listed in the previous sentence does not even include spending any time on the last RC passage. During my practice tests and GMAT too, I guessed all the answers of the last RC passage. I did put in effort to get my timing right but the itch in me to answer every question properly costs me a lot. Why I do this? One of the reasons is that I don't trust my previous question's attempted answer.
Here is the summary of the materials I used during my GMAT prep.
Books: MGMAT 4th ed for quant and Verbal. I even studied powerscore CR for verbal.
Practice Quetions: solved complete OG 12th ed, 2nd ed verbal and quant review. I had maintained a list of the questions I answered wrong so that I review the ones i got wrong. Clearly, I didn't learn anything.
Practice tests:
MGMAT1: 420 (practice test)
MGMAT2: 500 (Q31; V28)
MGMAT3: 530 (Q43; V20)
MGMAT4: 590 (Q44; V27)
MGMAT5: 660 (Q44; V36)
GMATPrep1: 550 (Q45; V21)
GMATPrep2: 650 (Q49; V27)
GMATPrep1 (retake): 680 (Q49; V33)
GMATPrep2 (retake): 690 (Q49; V34)
I know I need to improve my speed and concepts in CR and RC. These are the two sections that have brought my score down. Sometimes I think I should get help from a GMAT tutor only for CR but I do not know any reliable tutors out there through any of my sources. Appreciate any suggestions (location: Bethesda, MD). The classes are way too expensive. They don't even have any option for just verbal classes (that too will include material and practice exams. why will I again pay for the material again). So I have decided to put in more effort in the areas in which I'm weak.
Please advise me from your experience about the min time I should study before taking the GMAT again to achieve a target score of 700. What should me strategy be during this period? My timing is bad so I believe I should start taking more CATs. I have exhausted GMAT prep and 5 MGMAT CATs.
I will definitely need to track all the wrong answers and reason each answer choice. Please give me some more inputs. If someone wants to know some other strategy that I used so that he/she can give some positive input then do let me know.
