Kaplan 800 verbal for more practice - Need advice

[schumi_gmat]

Hi,

I took GMAT yesterday and got a devastated score of 530. Mostly i used to score about 620 - 650 in Kaplan

650 - 710 in MGMAT

and GPrep - 590 and Gprep.

Hence i think that the score is not a true respresentative of my abilities. I want to take GMAT in 3 weeks from today.

Practice material I have -

Kaplan 2007 CD
MGMAT 8 guides
OG 10, OG 11, OG VR
Powerscore bible for CR.

Would you advice me to buy Kaplan 800 for verbal?
If you think of alternative book, it will be helpful.

Please advice.

[shaden]

I dont think the Kaplan 800 will help if you got a 530. The Kaplan 800 covers 700+ level questions, and if you got a 530 you were probably missing 600 level questions which are in the OG.

I would suggest that you work on fundamentals (which I am doing too in the 650-700 level)

[PPP]

Yeah, no need to use Kaplan material. Or PowerScore for that matter. GMAT verbal has its own quirks and you have plenty of practice materials that are "official."

[logitech]

Hi,

I took GMAT yesterday and got a devastated score of 530. Mostly i used to score about 620 - 650 in Kaplan

650 - 710 in MGMAT
Please advice.

I hear this all the time and frankly it does not make any sense to me. There needs to be explanation for this.

Someone who scores between 650-710 should not score 530, unless something terribly went wrong.

What is the explanation for this paradox ?

[PPP]

Just reading the forums and talking to friends, it seems like this happens pretty frequently.

It's only a paradox if you assume that the practice tests from MGMAT or Kaplan or wherever are accurate. There was already a sign that something was amiss because the lowest test score was the GMATPrep one.

Also, I'd imagine it's more stressful to take the test at a test center than it is to sit at home and be comfortable.

[Bara]

I think its important to use the materials you have, whatever they are, wisely, and smartly - - not just use them to blow through them.

Since we don't know how you studied, or how you intend on studying, the material I'd recommend is not going to be helpful at this juncture - - what is important is HOW you use the material and approach the test... and what support you will seek to help you out (in order to get off the GMAT treadmill)...

I'd ask yourself/make the point to:

– Explore and understand correct answers as well as mistakes
– What is your breakdown in each of those tests and what are the weakest links?
– How did you feel going into the test? taking the test? Suprised by your score? Is this your first time taking a 'real' test?
– When have you felt like that (good or bad) in the past?
– What are you going to do differently these next three weeks that will change your score?

It is common for students to take the GMAT at least twice, after studying alone OR after a class... or under the guidance of tutors. Many of our clients come to us after going through other company's programs and take it once and rarely, but sometimes, twice - - (the first time they usually get close to their goal score...but realize they may have low-balled it...and want to aim higher) but after that: never again...so whatever support you get, make sure you clear about what you need...

Private tutoring tends to yield much higher results than a course, particulary in time-crunches.

Whatever you do, have a clear action plan that is smart and sensible...and make sure you're not wasting your energy/time...I advise posting here or getting online/phone/in-person support to streamline your efforts.

Best,

[Has]

Hi guys

Regarding Kaplan 800…..I scored 630 (Q35 V41) - I usually score a lot better in quant but on day went wrong. Anyway I will be using MGMAT to get my quant on track.

However, the verbal questions are too easy in OG and I still remember all the answers, is it thus worth purchasing Kaplan 800 for verbal questions or is there another way to do challenging verbal. Primarily to keep me in shape – on the test I got 41 – 92% for verbal because I practiced verbal a lot ....when slightly tired….

Of course I would like a 700+ score

Thanks