480 to 700 Tips & Strategy

[Reds_09]

Hello, I am new to this forum and would really appreciate for some help regarding the study tips I need to adopt starting today. I have a background in Economics and have had some quantitative skills. Also, I took the TOEFL iBT scoring 102 last October. I am currently working at a Big Four firm in Jakarta. I am planning to apply to an MBA program this fall for 2015 entry. My preferred uni are Tsinghua, CEIBS, UT at Austin, Waseda and Melbourne University.

My scheduled GMAT exam is on April 29, 2014. I have been studying since early February, an estimate around 3 hours each day and have finished the GMAT Review 13th edition by GMAC by end of this month. I took the free GMAT prep 1st exam and scored 480 (Q34 V22) and IR 3. I did not pace myself fast enough during my revision and instead focused on accuracy. I have 3 more books that I a would like to cover, i.e. GMAT Verbal Review, Quant Review and the KAPLAN 800.

Since, I am only 2 months away from the actual exam, please advise me further on tips to get a better score. My goal is 650-700. Is it possible to achieve this range of scores when only studying from the remaining 3 books?

Thanks!

[[email protected]]

Hi Reds_09,

Since your goal is to pick up about 200 points in 2 months time, you might consider adding some resources to the ones that you're currently using. Some Test Takers can do quite well with book study, but most require some type of consistent, professional guidance (through a Course, Tutor, etc.) to hit their goals.

Is the practice CAT score that you listed your only practice CAT?

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

[Reds_09]

Hi Rich,

Many thanks for your advice. Yes, it is. I think I will add more resources for my revision. Do you have any recommendation which additional books I should get?

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Hi Reds_09,

If you're looking for a structured approach to preparing for the GMAT, 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

[[email protected]]

Hi Reds_09,

The one book that I recommend that everyone pick up is the GMAC 13th Official Guide. Other than that, I'm not a big fan of bookwork. The GMAT is administered on the computer, so you have to be comfortable taking an entire test in that format. Too much bookwork fails to properly simulate the physical and psychological strains of reading off a screen, taking notes and working back-and-forth. Of all the various Prep options, I suggest that you choose one that's primarily computer-based.

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

[Reds_09]

Hi Brent and Rich,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have signed up for BTG 60-Day Study Guide.

Yes, I feel a different pressure when working on the questions off a screen. Okay noted, I will start studying from the computer-based sources. Thanks for your advice!

[David@VeritasPrep]

Since you are looking for computer based resources...

A great computer based FREE resource for you to work with is the Veritas Prep Question Bank and the Veritas Prep Practice test.

For access to the FREE Veritas Prep question bank https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat-question-bank/

For access to the FREE Veritas Prep practice test https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat/free-gm ... tice-test/

[iongmat]

Perhaps OG-13 is not really a great "source of learning". For example, in OG-13, in Critical reasoning, the questions in Assumptions, conclusion etc. appear in random order. That creates bit of an initial discomfort, since students start with one topic (say Conclusion) and so ideally want to practice on only conclusion questions. Likewise for other topics.

I would also suggest a structured course (either online or classroom, whichever you are comfortable with), especially given the time that you have is limited and the jump in score that you are looking for is quite significant.

[Reds_09]

Dear Sirs,

Thank you for all tips earlier. I have completed my first GMAT attempt and scored 640 (Q47 V31 IR3 AWA4.5). I didn't do well on the verbal and IR part. I am thinking of going for a 2nd attempt. In the past, I managed to use the OG13, OG Verbal & Quant 2nd Edition, Kaplan 800, BeattheGMAT 60-Day Guide, and did most of the free CATs including GMATprep CATs. My practice scores fluctuate from 620-740. But, I think my major concern is my weak Verbal.

So, I am aiming for a 700+ score through self-study. Do you think I could reach my target score with the full-set Manhattan books? I am thinking of studying for another 1.5-2 months to prepare for my second attempt. Any advice?

Thanks!

[[email protected]]

Hi Reds_09,

A 640/Q47 is a solid performance (it's just shy of the 80th percentile overall). Depending on what schools you're planning to apply to, this score might be competitive enough on its own. That having been said, you've correctly deduced that your Verbal performance on Test Day is the "weaker" of the two performances (by extension, that category is where you'll find the bulk of your missing points).

Your CAT scores show a pretty big "swing" relative to your Official GMAT score. When you scored 700+ on a CAT, what were you doing differently? Were you taking those CATs under test-like/realistic conditions? If you didn't take the entire CAT and/or didn't do so under test-like conditions, then those scores are not accurate.

As it came up earlier in this string of posts, it's worth repeating: you're working heavily from books/print materials and I still believe that's causing you a problem. You could absolutely score above a 700 IF you fix your Verbal problems, but It might be that you've hit a "ceiling" doing things "your way"; to raise your overall score, you'll likely have to change your approach and get away from books.

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

[Reds_09]

Hello Rich,

Thank you for your reply.

I am thinking of applying to several schools in Asia which have Average GMAT scores of 640-670.

When I scored 700+ on two CATs, I think I got lucky, so the 700+ scores are probably inflated. I also think that the OG verbal practice questions are much easier than those on the GMATPrep or on other CATs. Even after reviewing flashcards, I rarely could breakthrough and maintain a verbal score of 40+.

Aside from another deep look into book reviews, what do you suggest I do to increase my verbal score? Does reviewing the concepts more thorough and doing more CATs help? What additional materials should I get? Any suggestion on verbal books to raise my score?

Thank you.