Need to retake GMAT within the next 3 weeks of b s deadline.

[ijustwannalearn]

Today I took the GMAT and I scored a 460. I need to score at least a 500 just to have a conversation with the b school admissions personnel...lol... Prior to having taken the exam, I studied on avg about 5 hrs a day everyday.

My first school of choice's deadline is Sept. 15 for the spr.2009 and second choice is Oct. 1 for spr.2009. My scaled scores are 31Q/22V... Please someone advice me on how to prepare for the GMAT within the next couple of weeks and what materials do I need. I can't afford any of those $1,000 classes, however, I can afford some inexpensive books and guides that they sell on Amazon.

As you can see, I need help on both math and verbal, more so verbal. I would love to score a 700 and above, however, I am being reasonable with myself and what I am capable of doing within a matter of a few weeks. Moreover, I am not applying to Harvard or Kellogg. If I could get at least a 550-600, then that would be awesome.

Previously I only studied math and very little verbal if any because I felt that I had lacked the knowledge of basic arithmetic, which made me feel a bit stupid.

Can someone please give me some input on what resources to use that would really increase my verbal score within a matter of a couple of weeks of 8-10hr days studying? Of course I need to increase my Quant as well, I just feel that that is a matter of me getting some practice in so that the concepts stick in my head.

[KapTeacherEli]

Hi Ijustwannalearn,

Have you taken any practice test scores? Knowing those, to compare them to your actual GMAT score, is vital for making recommendations.

Nonetheless, let me say that in my experience, students who study 8-10 hours every day tend to do quite poorly. 6 hours a day, even over your limited study time, will be plenty. Meanwhile, the GMAT requires you to be awake, aware, and stress-free. A 50-hour work week does NOT contribute. I recommend turning some of those hours into trips to the gym or naps, which will have a more positive impact on your score than will the last 2 hours of math.

[ijustwannalearn]

Hello KapTeacherEli,

I agree, those 8-10hr days were burning me out. I studied for 3 weeks and I wasn't able to retain all of the information. I only studied for the quant section, however, I did very little and I had limited resources as well.

I used Kaplan's GMAT Prep book and I can say that it was somewhat helpful, however, when I registered for the GMAT and I had received their prep resources a week prior to taking the GMAT and it filled in all of the holes that Kaplan was not filling in for me.

The Kaplan book that I had used somehow assumed that I already knew basic arithmetic, however, that wasn't the case. If you don't use any of that stuff everyday you're not going to remember what you've learned over the past years.

GMAT Prep basically took me all the way back to basic arithmetic, which was what I needed, unfortunately I received it a week prior to the exam.

I contacted the admissions personnel at the b schools and they said that I have until Nov. 1 to report my scores. That gives me a little under 2 months to prep and sit for the GMAT again on October 28th. I plan on limiting my studying to 4 hours a day and possibly more on the weekends.

I purchased the Official Guide to add to my arsenal of resources which comes in the mail tomorrow... I'm so pumped and ready to actually take my time and learn this stuff.

Oh and by the way, the day prior to the exam I had taken a practice test and scored the exact same score, a lousy 460...

[KapTeacherEli]

Which Kaplan book did you use? We do have a math-only study guide, in addition to out general prep book, which will have more of the basics you need.

Also, why the focus on Quant? Sure, it may be your weak point, but one of the best things about starting from a 460 is that there are an endless number of opportunities to raise your score! Splitting your focus between math and verbal is also a great way to fight stress and exhaustion; when you're burned out on triangle, move on to grammar instead!