GMAT first attempt 580 ( Q 46 V 24 ): How do I prepare now?

[arrastra]

I took the GMAT last month and scored a disappointing 580 ( Q 46 V 24 AWA 4 IR 5)

Please suggest how should I kick start my preparations again and work towards a target score of 700.
Also, please suggest the right time ( wrt the admissions in 2014) to take the GMAT again I am planning to take it in March 2014.

My dream colleges are : HEC Paris ; NUS Singapore

Thanks

[Elizabeth@EconomistGMAT]

Hi there,

You should determine what types of questions and academic topics on which to focus. A good way to do this is to take a sim exam and then closely examine your score assessment to see what types of questions on which you need the most help. Then you can focus your studies on these types of questions/topics.

Economist GMAT Tutor offers a free sim test with the trial, so if you aren't already studying with a GMAT prep service, you can always check this out.

Regards,

Elizabeth

[[email protected]]

Hi arrastra,

With your Official Score breakdown, it's pretty clear that you're going to have to put in some extra time to improve your performance in the Verbal section. If you could answer a few questions, then I'd be happy to advise:

1) Do you have any specific difficulty with the Verbal section? Pacing? Slow reading? Etc.
2) What resources did you use to study? How long did you study before you took the GMAT?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[arrastra]

Hi Rich,
Thanks for ur reply.
I was a little busy with my work so was not able to reply .Now,I am back and all set to prepare.

Answering your questions:
1) Do you have any specific difficulty with the Verbal section? Pacing? Slow reading? Etc.

No , I do not have any specific difficulty such as pacing or timings.But I do think I did not practice Verbal well and was mainly focused on Quant section.Also, I did not work much on the fundamentals of SC.
2) What resources did you use to study? How long did you study before you took the GMAT?

I used OG 13 and Manhattan strategy guide for verbal.

Thanks!

[[email protected]]

Hi arrastra,

You've mentioned that you did not practice Verbal much and that you didn't work on SC fundamentals (meaning "grammar"), so your GMAT score should not come as much of a surprise. You are strong in the Quant section and weak in the Verbal. You're going to need to create a study schedule that you can follow for the next 1-2 months that focuses heavily on Verbal practice. It should include a practice CAT every week or so. You should study for two weeks and then take a full-length practice CAT. The results/scores on that Test will give you an idea of what you need to focus on. To hit your score goal, you might need to add some resources to the ones that you currently have.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[iongmat]

Also you did not post your scores on GMATPrep. That would further indicate whether your GMAT score was just a result of a bad day, or would you need to put in significantly more effort in verbal.