Retaking in a month...help!

[briancasebolt]

I took the exam this morning after about 30 days of intensive studying. I scored a 620 this morning. While solid, it was significantly lower than my practice tests.

I got a 620 and a 690 on the two practice tests on GMAT Prep. In order to further study, I purchased and took the 6 paper tests from GMAC. I scored 640, 720, 700, 700.

My scores were always consistent within the the Verbal sections (usually a score of 37-40). I relied on my Math scores which usually were in the ranges of 45-48.

This morning my Verbal score hit about on target, but my Math score crumbled. I felt as though I was not proficient in the higher and more advanced questions. I suspect the paper tests were much easier in Math.

How should I best improve my skills, where should I focus to ensure I learn the more advanced math skills/questions in the coming month?

Thank you in advance.

Brian

P.S. My target score is a 710...I thought this was very realistic with the practice scores I was getting.

[mayonnai5e]

The paper tests have several flaws: 1) they contain many, many questions from OG11, 2) they are non-adaptive, and 3) the quant is noticeably easier. These reasons may explain why your scores are so high on the paper exams especially if you have finished the OG11 book.

Have you completely finished the OG11 book? Have you thought about the Kaplan 800 book? I personally liked the Kaplan 800 book because it did not focus on the most advanced topics, but instead focused on providing hard questions on the most common topics. It focuses on high value questions that will very likely show up on the real exam.

710 is a high target with only 30 days of study, but if you are willing to put in extra time, you should be able to break 700. If you keep your V at 40 and do well on the Q portion, you'll hit your target.

I recently posted a new blog entry about the way I studied for Q in the last few days of my study. You can find the post on the last page of my blog here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/my-blog-erro ... 9-105.html

My strategy was to study the high value questions that had a very good chance of appearing on the exam and to be able to answer every single one of those questions correctly and quickly.

[briancasebolt]

M-

Thank you for your guidance thus far. I would like to explore further how you in fact did improve your score. From the scores you indicate, you definitely established a solid framework that succeeded. Can you point me in a direction of what you did to study and prepare? I am sure you have written down this "recipe" of success!

Thank you so much in advance. Now with the reality and clarity of what to expect on the exam (since I took it yesterday), I believe I will attack the test with increased confidance on December 15th!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Brian

[mayonnai5e]

If you go through the many pages of my blog linked in my signature you will find a lot of details about my study. If you have questions after that, please do not hesitate to ask.

[briancasebolt]

thank you lee, i will keep you updated. my resume, career and background, undergrad gpa make for a compelling argument for admission into a Top 10...I need to ensure my GMAT reflects this same argument.

i will keep you updated. you have afforded so many people on this site with guidance to truly improve their scores. i hope i am a raving fan of yours very soon!

---b

[mayonnai5e]

Sounds good! You sound confident and that's a very good thing. I look forward to reading your debrief in the "Just beat the GMAT" section of this forum.

[beatthegmat]

Sounds good! You sound confident and that's a very good thing. I look forward to reading your debrief in the "Just beat the GMAT" section of this forum.

Look forward to seeing your successful debrief as well.