640 what next

[ershovici]

Hi everyone.
I really need some help.
6 months ago I took the GMAT and my score was 560, of course I need to improove it, to at least 690 -720.

Last week, after 1 month of practice, I obtained 640 at the GMAT Prep software. It was something about M48 and V32.
I used Kaplan 800 and OG11. From the OG I got about 80-85 percent right.

I know that my main problem is RC and SC since I am not native english speaker.

I use Manhattan for SC and truing to make as many as possible RC problems.

So, what book I should use to improove my weakneses. And even more important what strategy do you suggest me.

[beatthegmat]

For CR and RC, check out the PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible. It's probably the best regarded CR/RC book in this community, you can download a free chapter to see for yourself.

With regard to your next steps, I recommend that you take some time to put together a solid study strategy that will emphasize practicing your weak areas. You already have a sense of the broad topics you are weak, but I think you could drill down further. What types of RC questions give you the most problems? (examples: author attitude)

Check out the GMAT Resource Links Page for guidance on designing your study strategy.

Two more tips: As you retake, I've always been a proponent of weekly practice tests. I think it takes a lot of time to get used to the CAT format, so weekly tests from now until your test may be one strategy to consider.

Additionally, think about putting together your own set of GMAT flashcards. Write down the topic/concept that causes you problems on flashcards, and review these flashcards multiple times a day. I did this for my own prep and it helped a lot. You can see an example of my flashcards here: my GMAT flash cards

Hope that this helps, good luck!

[ershovici]

beatthegmat Thanks for the answer, but there is one more question:
Whether I should learn the strategy and then try to solve real problems, or it will be better to do it simultaniously?

[beatthegmat]

Learning the strategy shouldn't take too much time--maybe a few days of reading and research. I would recommend doing the strategy piece first, then moving on to your prep.

The reason why is (1) it will structure your studies more effectively, and (2) if you jump into practice problems too soon, you may be squandering the experience. This second point is really important--there are only a limited set of decent practice problems out there, so it's important you know what you need to get out of them before you use them all up!

Good luck!