Scoring in the mid 400s, how the heck can I improve?

[Citygirl]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can develop a study schedule to help drastically improve my score?

I have taken 3 CATs and continuously score in the mid 400 range (this morning was a 460). I even brushed up on my basic math skills using the Cliffs Review for Standardized Tests. My performance on those were great and I felt more confident when I took my 3rd CAT this morning. Unfortunately, I did not finish my math section and got half wrong out of the ones I did answer (10 correct out of 19 attempted in a section of 37 questions). I finished the verbal section and only got 29 out of the 41 correct.

I was hoping that I could create a 12 week study schedule so I can take the GMAT at the end of Nov/early Dec. However, I feel like my base score is so low that I don't know if my self study will increase my score much.

Should I hire a private tutor? Take a math class at a community college?

I also want to take the MGMAT online course. However, I don't want to start that until I can get a higher base score so I make the best use out of the review course.

Has anyone improved drastically on their GMAT? Is there hope for me? I am willing to do whatever it takes to get a 680 and above. I will not register for the test until I see my base score hit at least 600.

Any thoughts?

[DanaJ]

Most test takers usually struggle with verbal and do better in quant, but you're a part of the rarer kind that experiences problems with quant.

Your timing is really, really bad. I'm not going to downplay it: this probably stems from the fact that you have problems with the very basics of GMAT quant. We take too long to solve a problem if we're unfamiliar with the format/do not know how to approach it. What you need to do is address the fundamentals: use a high school math guide or buy a good book/series for this (Kaplan Math workout or the Manhattan GMAT 5 book series). Also, you might want to enlist the help of a tutor if you're still having trouble after 2-3 weeks.

Also, don't forget to practice a bit for verbal. Getting 29 right out of 41 puts you in a pretty comfortable position for starters. Use the following:
- OG for practice
- Manhattan GMAT SC guide
- PowerScore CR Bible
- LSAT sets if you want advanced practice (I attached two here)

You can get a 680 in 12 weeks. It's all down to how you practice and how much time you're willing to invest in prep. I've heard countless cases of even greater improvements!

[Citygirl]

Thank you so much for your response Dana. I will buy the books you mentioned and hopefully I will see an improvement in the next two weeks. Again, I also plan on taking the MGMAT online prep course but don't want to start until I get a higher base score.