Just completed my retake yesterday. I scored 51V (99%) and 42Q (59%) for a 740 (97%). The score was a completely unexpected combination.
In May I took the GMAT for the first time and scored Q42 (59%), V44 (97%) for a 700 (90%). The high verbal score wasn't completely shocking, as I had recently taken the GRE as well, before I decided that I wanted to pursue an MBA. On the GRE (new format) I received a 169 (99%). I was a bit unhappy with the balance of the 700 and decided to take again before the new format was instituted, studying math intensely for the next two months, and not even cracking the verbal material (honestly I had only studied for the verbal for a few hours before my first attempt as well). And well, there we have it. All my efforts on becoming better at math were for naught and I bumped my overall score by 40 points just from answering a few more verbal questions correctly.
No, I don't really have any study tips for the verbal portion. I read from a variety of sources (classic novels, NYT, Economist, etc.) for at least an hour a day, as I have done since I was a teenager, but I'm not a walking thesaurus, and would never win a spelling bee. On the SC, I just read them, and some responses sound right and others don't. Sorry I can't be more help.
So then, what are the committees going to say about my low quant score? What can I do to raise my quant abilities before my Fall '13 matriculation? I don't have a strong math background in my university transcripts, but am willing to put in some time to allay the committees' possible concerns.
In May I took the GMAT for the first time and scored Q42 (59%), V44 (97%) for a 700 (90%). The high verbal score wasn't completely shocking, as I had recently taken the GRE as well, before I decided that I wanted to pursue an MBA. On the GRE (new format) I received a 169 (99%). I was a bit unhappy with the balance of the 700 and decided to take again before the new format was instituted, studying math intensely for the next two months, and not even cracking the verbal material (honestly I had only studied for the verbal for a few hours before my first attempt as well). And well, there we have it. All my efforts on becoming better at math were for naught and I bumped my overall score by 40 points just from answering a few more verbal questions correctly.
No, I don't really have any study tips for the verbal portion. I read from a variety of sources (classic novels, NYT, Economist, etc.) for at least an hour a day, as I have done since I was a teenager, but I'm not a walking thesaurus, and would never win a spelling bee. On the SC, I just read them, and some responses sound right and others don't. Sorry I can't be more help.
So then, what are the committees going to say about my low quant score? What can I do to raise my quant abilities before my Fall '13 matriculation? I don't have a strong math background in my university transcripts, but am willing to put in some time to allay the committees' possible concerns.
