Need help/suggestions/advice

[anujladha]

Hello. I started a Saturday GMAT course with Kaplan on March 7 and just finished this past Saturday - May 2. I am taking the UPT (Ultimate Practice Test) this coming Saturday - May 9. Out of due diligence and serious commitment, I have been taking practice CAT's for the past 6 Fridays (once a week). I have completed the 6 required CAT exams. I am having a very difficult time deciding the answer to two questions:

1. Would it be good to take CAT 7 before this coming Saturday's UPT?

2. I have not registered for the actual exam simply because i want to see how i do in the UPT.
*** I would prefer to give my scores, but not on this online, insecure forum.

PLEASE ADVISE.

THANKS
ANUJ

[beatthegmat]

If you have taken a practice test last weekend, probably not necessary for you to take another before your ultimate practice test (UPT). With regard to registering, it's fine to wait until after you take the UPT. It's very easy to register for the GMAT since you can take it pretty much at any time.

And with regard to security--I wouldn't be too worried about that. The more you can share with us here (it's anonymous after all), the more we can help.

Good luck!

[anujladha]

So far here are the scores from the first 6 CAT's I have taken as part of my course with Kaplan. Each of the CAT's were taken once a week (every Friday) with the exception of yesterday due to the UPT.

CAT 1 550
CAT 2 520
CAT 3 550 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 4 540 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 5 620 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 6 560 (Verbal percentile 48)

I just took the Ultimate Practice Test this morning and got a 620 (Quant percentile 70%, Verbal Percentile 43%). In the past 5 exams including the UPT, the verbal has been preety constant, the highest percentile I have been able to get is 48. My weaknesses involve Critical Reasoning (e.g. Weaken/Strengthen questions, Inference, etc.) and Reading Comprehension. I have really been putting in a lot of effort in these weakenesses while trying to maintain my strengths.

No matter how much effort or practice I am doing on these weak areas, it just really does not seem to be clicking to me. I think if I can manage to strengthen/improve my verbal, it will pay off even better and I can get a better score. I am happy my score improved from the latest CAT, but I know I can do better than that. Just got to continue to be positive and persistent in trying to get as many difficult questions correct.

Any advice, please let me know. I have decided to get some hours of tutoring on these weak areas. Tomorrow (Sunday), I will be meeting with my tutor.

Now, just wondering when to take the actual exam.

[anujladha]

Oh I forgot to add my Diagnostic Score (paper & pencil) at the start of the course: 480.