The secret for those stuck at 650! GMAT - 700 V40 & Q46

[Kaizermarks]

I am a frequent reader on Beat The GMAT but I have rarely posted on this site. I decided to write this post for everyone who is struggling with the GMAT. I recently took the GMAT and scored a 700.

Before scoring for the second time at 700, I took the test in August after completing an expensive course and scored a 580. For the schools that I wanted to apply for, this would not suffice. So I took a month off and then started studying again. I focused on the MGMAT materials as well as the 12th ed OG and the two supplemental books. I took test after test and my highest score was a 670. A month before taking the test I decided I needed a tutor. The tutor shored up my weaknesses and helped me approach the test as more of a dance rather than an adversary.
I encourage everybody who was in my situation, if you can afford it, to get a tutor. I know they are very expensive. But when you look back at life do you want to say to yourself, "If only I had spent some extra money I could be pursuing my dreams"?

The only thing that was unusual during the test was the amount of time I had on the clock by the end of each section. I ended the math section with 15 minutes left and the verbal with 18 minutes still on the clock. My guess is this extra time helped my score.

The secret - "Hire a Tutor"

Good luck to everybody, now on to the essays!

Kaizer

[beatthegmat]

Thanks very much for sharing that advice, and congrats on your GMAT score!

[vivecan2005]

Why do you feel that hiring a teacher will help you bring score to 700. If you know your weakness then you can work on your weakness by yourself.

[Kaizermarks]

I disagree!

I knew my weak areas in regards to the GMAT. To take that weakness, evaluate it, and in turn raise your score is a different story. It is always good to bring different perspectives to the issue. I knew my weakness but I was unable to fix it from my perspective. That is why I hired a tutor. Knowing you have a weakness is not enough; you also need to understand how to fix it.

[rohan_vus]

I totally agree . Knowing weakness is just one aspect here . If you dont have means to circumvent that , its of no use just to be aware of one's weakness . Some have find tutoring as a mean of tackle the issue , some may find more study , some may find more concentration to be the key . Its subjective indeed and what works for one may ,though, be a good pointer but assuming that to work for everybody is unwarranted .

Congrats on your score by the way

[harsh.champ]

I totally agree that if you have those extra bucks,you should hire a tutor but even if you can't afford to hire one,you can surely make a study group and help each other out.Surely,i agree with you that even if a person identifies his/her weakness,it is important to get different perspectives.Moreover,a good study group can help you be motivated.

[money9111]

here's a quote that I try to live by - no clue who said it so don't ask - "if you always do what you've always done... you'll always get what you've always gotten!"

so comparing that to this topic... if you always study your weakness they way you always have.. the end result will be the same...

now of course this is not always the case... but for some people... it pays to switch it up.. especially from a professional who may be able to explain things in a different manner to get you over that hurdle.

i say if you have the means... go for it! just make sure you update us on your experience and new score!