Hadn't crossed the chasm yet...(after 3rd time)

[c_on]

Hi,

As i've described my previous experience https://www.beatthegmat.com/need-retake- ... 45133.html
my last experience wasn't successful.

I've scored this time q:48 v:23 - 590 on last week
where my previous scored was (v:24 q:49 - 600 on the 14 Sep 2009)


This time I've focused mainly on the verbal part, analyzing each test thoroughly and
followed Ron Purewal advice. Examining each problem on how i got it wrong.

During my last take i've studied using the OG12, MGMT exams and a private tutor who helped me in the review of the problems mainly the SC and CR.

Here's a list of the tests I've performed this time:

Scores:
1. 14/11 - GmatPrep1 V:32 Q:50 - 690
2. 21/11 - MGMT 6a V:34 Q:46 - 660
3. 28/11 - MGMG 1b V:36 Q:48 - 690
4. 5/12 - GmatPrep2 v:28 q:50 - 660
5. 7/12 - GmatPrep1 V:37 q:50 - 690
6. 9/12 - KapTest 8 V:38 q:41 - 640
7. 13/12 - MGMT 2b V:37 q:46

Now that I've blown the change to apply this year (aiming to the Ivy league)
I'm wonder how i should proceed.

I've invested most of my free time in this exam (while working full time at hi-tech I've studied morning from 06:30-09:30 and an hour at evening).

How you think I can improve my score? Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ran.

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

I haven't taken an official test yet, but I can tell you what I'm doing to help improve my practice scores. I am using a lot of LSAT materials for the RC and CR. The LSAT material is more difficult so it similates 700 level questions. You will find people here that will disagree with the use of lsat materials but I think its better to use lsat materials since they were developed by professional test makers, than to trust a prep companies version of the logic of the GMAT. I have found that Kaplan's verbal is full of typos, and PR's verbal is too easy. The verbal books I have used are

MGMAT SC
PowerScore Logical Reasoning Bible


Hope this helps.

[kiddles]

Hi Ran,

I'm in a similar situation. Please see my experience posted here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/700s-in-prac ... 49775.html

I'm trying to setup my strategy for my next test so I can get back to the regime again in the new year. Verbals are definitely my weak spot, so I'm going to be focusing on those. From what I've read on the forum, the following books seem highly recommended:

1. Powerscore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible - Apparently awesome from CR and RC questions.
2. MGMAT SC Guide - I've used this over the past few months and it's made my SC accuracy rate improve from about 50% to 80%.
3. Powerscore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible - just as the previous post says, LSAT verbal questions are much harder than the GMAT's, so I'm definitely going to try this one out.

I've also ordered the Economist to read at least 30 minutes per day - where I'll summarize each paragraph and try to link them all together to help with comprehension. I definitely struggle with summarizing RC questions in a consise and accurate manor.

I think I got stupid nervous... I'm gonna take 2 months or so to write the next one.

Cheers.

[lunarpower]

Hi,

As i've described my previous experience https://www.beatthegmat.com/need-retake- ... 45133.html
my last experience wasn't successful.

I've scored this time q:48 v:23 - 590 on last week
where my previous scored was (v:24 q:49 - 600 on the 14 Sep 2009)


This time I've focused mainly on the verbal part, analyzing each test thoroughly and
followed Ron Purewal advice. Examining each problem on how i got it wrong.

During my last take i've studied using the OG12, MGMT exams and a private tutor who helped me in the review of the problems mainly the SC and CR.

Here's a list of the tests I've performed this time:

Scores:
1. 14/11 - GmatPrep1 V:32 Q:50 - 690
2. 21/11 - MGMT 6a V:34 Q:46 - 660
3. 28/11 - MGMG 1b V:36 Q:48 - 690
4. 5/12 - GmatPrep2 v:28 q:50 - 660
5. 7/12 - GmatPrep1 V:37 q:50 - 690
6. 9/12 - KapTest 8 V:38 q:41 - 640
7. 13/12 - MGMT 2b V:37 q:46

Now that I've blown the change to apply this year (aiming to the Ivy league)
I'm wonder how i should proceed.

I've invested most of my free time in this exam (while working full time at hi-tech I've studied morning from 06:30-09:30 and an hour at evening).

How you think I can improve my score? Suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ran.

hmm.

well, quant is obviously not an issue, so you should probably stop doing quant. in particular, you should probably stop taking so many practice tests, so that you can concentrate more exclusively on verbal.
it is extremely unlikely that your quant score will fall - even if you don't look at a single quant problem for a couple of weeks - although you may want to take ONE PRACTICE TEST EVERY 1-2 WEEKS at this point, just to keep those circuits from getting too dusty.

one suggestion:

an excellent way to see whether you really understand a particular type of problem is to write mock problems of your own. in other words, try to write your own problems, based on the official ones - different enough that it's not exactly the same problem (i.e., don't just substitute names, etc.), but similar enough that it's testing the same concepts. if you can write a problem similar to the one you're testing, then that's an excellent way to prove true understanding. (warning: it is NOT easy.)

in any case, you should probably limit your studying to verbal at this point.

also, you are probably studying too much. it's not advisable to study for four hours every single day, especially if that's on top of a job that's already a large time commitment.