GMAT Strategy for a retake

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Brief Intro: Hi, I recently took the gmat on the 4th July and scored a heart breaking 580(Q46,V24). As can be seen, my verbal score is very disappointing.I plan to retake the exam by august end or september start. My target college is INSEAD Singapore and I am aiming a score around 740. I need some help with the strategy and suggestions on how can I achieve my target.

My short Comings: Started taking the mock tests one week before the exam and hence could not improve much on pacing as well as my strategy.

My english scores also started dropping weeks before the exam and I did not know how to change that.

I am not a native speaker of english and hence need additional effort. Would be glad if I could here few effective strategies to reach my target score (Q-50,V-40+)CR, RC both are my weak areas as I see and in quant I am weak at Number theory along with P N C and Probability primarily.

[Kasia@EconomistGMAT]

What about your timing? It is extremely important on the GMAT. As to mock tests, you should start practising at least two weeks before the real exam and take at least one test per two days. It is important to train. Otherwise you:
- will not be able to stay focused for such a long time
- will simply feel tired and lose time because of that
- due to the lack of time will guess answers to questions that you probably are able to solve

[AbhiJ]

What about your timing? It is extremely important on the GMAT. As to mock tests, you should start practising at least two weeks before the real exam and take at least one test per two days. It is important to train. Otherwise you:
- will not be able to stay focused for such a long time
- will simply feel tired and lose time because of that
- due to the lack of time will guess answers to questions that you probably are able to solve

In an ideal world, how many tests would you recommend.

[sam2304]

What about your timing? It is extremely important on the GMAT. As to mock tests, you should start practising at least two weeks before the real exam and take at least one test per two days. It is important to train. Otherwise you:
- will not be able to stay focused for such a long time
- will simply feel tired and lose time because of that
- due to the lack of time will guess answers to questions that you probably are able to solve

I wanted to ask the same question posted by AbhiJ.

How many tests should one take in the last two or three weeks ?
How frequent should the tests be ?
I never believed it is a good idea to take a test each day prior to our G Day. For how many days before the G Day should we avoid the tests ?

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Kasia,


My timing was kinda bad on the tests. However, I did manage on the GMAT but did end up guessing few questions in the end. Also, I found the questions pretty tough in math as compared to the practice tests. But, I scored reasonably low in English. I really need some advice on how to take my performance in english to 40+.

[Jim@StratusPrep]

English is all about learning structure. Study the grammatical rules in depth and you will be in good shape. This give clarity to sentences and will improve your ability to read and comprehend passages as well. As far as the number of exams you should take, my opinion is a bit different. As long as you take 2 full length exams (essays and IR included) within the last 2 weeks you should be good. Ideally, for the last month or so you are taking one each week at the same time as your real exam. Also, maybe do a few more intermittently. 4-6 is really all you need in total if you have put the studying in elsewhere. And remember, reviewing your work is the most important part of studying.

[Kasia@EconomistGMAT]

I would recommend to do NOTHING GMAT-related on the last day before the exam.
As to mock tests, it all depends how you are feeling with regard to your timing and energy levels. I would recommend to do one full simulation test per two days. This way you will build the necessary stamina.
As to the improvement of your score, there are many factors involved. You shouldn't be too much stressed. You should carefully monitor your timing and try not to waste precious time on questions that you feel you have low chances of solving correctly.
The key to improve the verbal skills is to try to find out why the correct answer is the way it is. Unfortunately it takes a lot of time. However, the more such ready formulas you will remember the faster you will work and the more successful you will be.