From 440-670..I need strategy tips! HELP!

[Mike Gonzalez]

Hi,

I wrote the GMAT on saturday, Dec.14th, 2013, and scored a dismal 440. I studied hard for about 2 months, and I was scoring in the mid 500's on practice tests (both paper and computer). I realized that when I wrote the actual GMAT, I was rather unprepared; this was certainly due to poor strategy when studying. I wrote various CATs and paper tests under timed conditions similar to the actual GMAT, and still found myself always rushing on questions that I didn't understand after the first read, and at the end. Can someone please offer some advice on a sound study strategy so that I can hopefully score near the 670 mark???? I have scheduled my next GMAT appointment for February 8th, 2014. Any advice offered would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
MG

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

To boost your score from 440 to 670, I suggest a systematic (even methodical) approach, in which you take the time to master each topic/concept (e.g., percents, ratios, assumption questions in critical reasoning, comparison questions in sentence correction, etc).

So, for each topic/concept, you should:
1) Learn the underlying concepts (rules, attributes, notation, etc.)
2) Learn GMAT-specific strategies related to that topic
3) Practice dozens of questions all related to that one topic.
4) Don't stop working on that topic until you have mastered it

Then, and only then, move on to the next topic.

To help you focus on one topic at a time, you can use BTG's tagging feature. For example, here are all of the questions tagged as statistics questions: https://www.beatthegmat.com/forums/tags/ ... statistics
See the left side of that linked page for more tag options.

While completing questions from the Official Guide (OG), you should you use an Error Log (aka Improvement Chart). You can find a free downloadable Improvement Chart here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-error-log. This will help you identify and strengthen your weak areas.

You should also spend a lot of time reviewing the responses from the Experts on this site. They model the steps one should take when tackling math problems.

In addition to learning the core concepts and GMAT-specific strategies, be sure to work on your endurance and test-taking skills (e.g., time management) by taking several practice tests. If you're interested, we have a free GMAT time management video at https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gener ... es?id=1244

Finally, you might consider signing up for Beat The GMAT's free 60-Day Study Guide (https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide).
Each day, you'll receive an email with a series of learning activities that guide you, step-by-step, from Day 1 to test day. This will ensure that you will cover everything that the GMAT tests.

Here's an outline of all 60 emails: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-guide-outline

Cheers,
Brent