Owned by the GMAT - 600 (Q33 V40)

[ran-diesel]

Well my target score was 700, and I ended up with a meager 600. As soon as the score popped up I knew I would be re-taking.

Ive been a silent reader on this forum for a little while now and have to say its been a great resource. Any advice on resources to use and how to improve my weaknesses would be much appreciated.

My approach was somewhat unstructured as I decided to take the GMAT about 2 months ago. In addition, Im a CPA and have been working brutal hours on top of prep. Usually around 2 hours per weeknight and 10 total hours per weekend.

I initially started with Kaplan premier and added the Kaplan math workbook and OG11 after doing more research and realizing my weaknesses. I went through the entire Kaplan Premier, Kaplan Math workbook, and approx 75% of all the OG11 q's. I focused on both PS and DS first then did a brief review of SC, CR, and RC.

Another reason Im pretty discouraged is that my practice tests were all much better than the real test. Only took 3 total, but here are the scores.
KAP GMAT CAT1: 550
KAP GMAT CAT2: 560
GMAT Prep: 660

Im thinking I wont even open Kaplan Premier this time around and might focus my time on OG10 and move back on to OG11.

Strengths: CR and RC
Weaknesses: SC, PS, and DS

[beatthegmat]

Hi ran-diesel:

Sorry to hear that you didn't reach your target score. Some good books to check out for the weaknesses you cited: Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook and MGMAT Sentence Correction Guide.

In your re-take study strategy, be sure to really emphasize studying and analyzing your errors. I highly recommend using a Practice Log to assist you. Also, if you haven't already, read through the Beat The GMAT Blog to see an example of how this error analysis methodology could work.

Good luck!

[ran-diesel]

thanks for the advice Eric... much appreciated. What source do you suggest I use for problems this time around. I want to avoid repeating too many OG11 questions in the case that I subconsciously remember the answer... want to really challenge myself this time around. I just got OG11 and the SETS. What are your thoughts?

[beatthegmat]

The books I mentioned should supply sufficient practice problems.

I hope you are not referring to ScoreTop Sets in your previous e-mail. Members are not allowed to discuss these questions in this community.

Some of the sets questions feature live GMAT questions, and GMAC is cracking down hard on people using these resources...they are even threatening to ban some people from ever taking the GMAT!

[rajarshir]

Hey, Your verbal score isn't all that bad. You need to work on your Math. Use OG 11. It really helped. If you want to start with your basics, then the Princeton review is very good.

[ran-diesel]

thanks for the advice everyone... I think Ive got a great way to go about the retake. Im going through the Kaplan Math Wkbook. As I go through a certain topic (ratios, number props, etc) I am using the OG10 question type grid to do all the medium and hard questions. I'll let you know how this approach works out.

I had no clue about those other problems... I deleted them from my cpu... its a shame that people make such material so widely available, possibly jeopardizing their own and others dreams of an MBA.

-Diesel

[beatthegmat]

Smart move, ran-diesel.

Just know that you are safe in this community. Unlike many over the other GMAT forums, this community prides itself in honestly and ethically preparing for the GMAT.

Best of luck!