640 GMAT today.. need to get to a 700+

[barrelbowl]

Hey all,

I stumbled upon this website this past weekend, a little too late to take advantage of what seems to be a community of helpful and knowledgeable participants.

I am planning on applying to a few masters in finance programs for 2012, most of which require the GMAT (a few also take the GRE). I have been self-studying for about 2 months, and juggled studying with a liner algebra/ computer science course I was taking as a pre-enrollment requirement.

I graded with a 3.5 from a top 5 public university and majored in economics.

For preparation for the GMAT I used the Official Guide, the mGMAT books, and the official quant review. I only studied the math materials, and glimpsed over the verbal in like 2 days. It has always been a strong suit.

Today I took my first GMAT test (with the intent of it being my one and only) and scored a 640 (q 35/ v41) - 50th, and 93rd percentile. On the math section I got frantic, and felt like I was rushed for time. I had to make a few quick guesses on the DS questions, and ended the section on question 31 of 37. The verbal was not too bad, but a little tougher than I thought it would be.

I think the biggest mistake I made was not taking a CAT exam earlier than this past weekend, as I realized my timing for the math section was very much off. I also struggle putting together concepts on the DS questions, especially on the word translation problems. Rate problems also screw me over. I need to get a 700+.. with a significantly higher split in math. I have about a month and a half to do this, as I need to get all my applications ready by Winter.

Please help.. if this is possible!

[Big Pop]

Hey,
GMAT expects you to manage the time with utmost priority and will penalize you the most for it.
In your case, not completing the Q section has affected your score more than anything.
Verbal in your case seems fine and you have above average score in it.
Download GMAT Prep and develop the time management skill.
Remember, DS doesn't require you to find an answer. If you can foresee that with this combination of statements you will find an answer then that is it.
Additionally, the GMAT is adaptive so more correct answers will be followed by a more difficult question which require more time than usual. IF possible solve it under 3 mins (max) else guess and move on.Complete all 37 questions no matter what.
I remember i had 10-12 minutes surplus in the Q section. Completed the verbal in the last minute thought.
All the best.

[blackrobin06]

Remember that not only taking exams but how you review your mistakes is equally important.

[barrelbowl]

Thanks! I definitely need to look into taking more practice tests and working on my speed.

I have the 6 tests that came with my Manhattan GMAT book, and the 2 from the Official Guide. Any other good question banks/ mock CAT exams I should invest in? I could definitely use a good question bank for Quant.

[pemdas]

one good way to increase math score drastically when you score 35+ and feel backed up with concepts is to build synergy on a test day. By gleaning at A-E answer choices for problem solving you can make your best guess first about what can be an answer, and then move onto applying preferably the brutal solving method. Without such a synergy you can indeed solve the problem and spend your precious time for heading into the right direction but miss the correct answer (misread the question, overlook other possibilities, etc.)

Also use your self-judgment when some difficult word problem pops up and you are stuck with 3+ minutes on it - GUESS and MOVE ON ... Those who do - they score much higher, because to run away from the threat(s) is better option than to sit on time bombs and wait one's doom

Pace each and every question you do in your practice sessions - this must be skill not less important in your test taking abilities than your knowledge of triangles and/or combination/permutation formula.