Progress (or lack of) after 2 Months

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Progress (or lack of) after 2 Months

by Cinji18 » Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:04 pm
I just want to let you know how my progress is after two months, and perhaps get some input.

After two months, I am not sure if I made much progress, and I don't think I gained more confidence; in fact, with the actual test date approaching, I am even less confident than before. I spend on average five hours of studying a day, so I'm not slacking off. I have all three official GMAT books, MGMAT SC, PowerScore CR, Kaplan Verbal Workbook, and read through MGMAT RC and CR books. I attend as many free events as I can, and so far, have taken three practice tests:

In chronological order:
1) Kaplan Free Online: 560 (not sure if this counts since it wasn't adaptive)
2) GMAT Prep: 460
3) Manhattan GMAT: 600

I'm looking to get at least 650. Any score higher than that will be icing.

After taking the last test, there are a few things I realized about myself:

1) For the math section, I understand at least 90% of the concepts, with weaknesses in divisibility and overlapping set aka venn diagrams. I plan to work on those. During practice, I can do most of these problems in the two-minute limit without much trouble, but during tests, I either overlook or misread or something else, and answer the question wrong or takes me longer than usual. It's like everything goes down the drain once the countdown starts. I often react with "I knew that" or "What was I thinking". Any suggestions? The only thing I can come up with is relax, but I have never been able to do that for any test.

2) For the verbal section, my strength is on SC. As for the weakness, the practice test results are telling me it is RC, but I think that is a result of my weakness in CR. I spend a lot of time on CR, and still get a low accuracy on them. By the time I reach a RC question, because I'm behind on time, I tend to rush through the those questions. I still do the active reading, taking notes and stuff, but I overlook a lot of info when I skim. I came to the conclusion that if I were to take the test tomorrow and if I were running out of time, I would randomly guess on CR questions, allowing more time for SC and RC questions. I am currently working through the PowerScore CR book so I don't have to do that.

Is that progress? I don't know. Do I feel more confident about GMAT? No, that's for sure.

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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:51 am
Hang in there!
The GMAT is a standardized test, and therefore you can learn what is on it.

It seems that you have read a lot of books in the past two months, but how many practice problems have you done? When are you taking the actual test?

Make sure you are reading every day. The entire test involves reading- even the math section. If you get better at reading the entire test will be easier.

Also, it sounds like your rushing a lot. You need to go fast on the GMAT, but if you rush you're going to make silly mistakes. Every once in awhile just take a breath and cool down

If your test date is coming up soon I would focus on just taking practice tests. As soon as you respond I'll try to give you more advice.

Keep on going!
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by Cinji18 » Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:04 am
Thanks for responding, Dan.

Besides the three practice tests, I've done many problems on Grockit.com, and have spent many hours reviewing all the answers. Most of the problems I've done are from books except for the OG. I worked on the problems in the diagnostic section of the OG 12, but nothing else in the OG yet. I figure I'll work on them as the test date approaches so that those kinds of problems are fresh on my mind come test date.

I have not yet schedule my test date, but I'm thinking sometime in May or June. Maybe July.

Right now, I can tell that I'm really weak in CR, so I'm working with the PowerScore CR Bible to improve there. Afterwards, do the problems in the OG and practice tests here and there.

Cin

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by Dan@VinciaPrep » Wed Apr 28, 2010 9:43 am
Cinji18 wrote:Thanks for responding, Dan.

Besides the three practice tests, I've done many problems on Grockit.com, and have spent many hours reviewing all the answers. Most of the problems I've done are from books except for the OG. I worked on the problems in the diagnostic section of the OG 12, but nothing else in the OG yet. I figure I'll work on them as the test date approaches so that those kinds of problems are fresh on my mind come test date.

I have not yet schedule my test date, but I'm thinking sometime in May or June. Maybe July.

Right now, I can tell that I'm really weak in CR, so I'm working with the PowerScore CR Bible to improve there. Afterwards, do the problems in the OG and practice tests here and there.

Cin
Keep doing problems. From what I've seen, many of the people that do well on the GMAT have done over 3000 problems in total and have reviewed them all afterward at least once.

I would suggust that you schedule your appointment now- by doing so you'll be forced to get serious about the GMAT and therefore you'll study better. I would go for taking the test in June and if necessary postponing the test later (or taking it a second time).
If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button ;)

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
GMAT tutor paris
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