Non-native : How to improve from 620 (Q45/V30) to 720+

[eJanuary]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post ever on BTG. After reading many posts, I have decided to create one of my own. I really need your advice here.

My background
- Female, 27, Thai nationality
- Bachelor of Business Administration (International program) from local university (GPA 3.8)
- IELTS (expired) : 7.5
- GMAT score (taken in August 2013) : 620 (Q45/ V30/ IR6/ AW5.0)
- 4 years of work experience in MNC - FMCG (promoted twice from staff level => supervisor level => assistant manager level)

My GMAT experience
I studied for 4 months before taking the actual test in August 2013. The materials I used were,
- OG12 and OG13
- MGMAT Quant and Verbal strategy guide set
- GMAT prep
- Kaplan mock tests

I took full-length practice tests for about 6 times and scored 600 - 630 in all of them. If I remember correctly, I took them once or twice a week in the last month of my preparation. Didn't see any improvement. My scores were very constant at 600 level.

When I took the actual test, I was really falling behind in the Verbal section. I didn't have time to read at least 2 RC passages, so I guessed around 7-8 questions. I did not skip any questions.

I am planning to retake the GMAT again. I started to study Quant in February, then work got busy, and I just stopped studying. I haven't studied a thing for 3 weeks now. To make matters worse, I will be travelling (work and holiday) for 3 weeks in April. So I think I should wait until I get back to start my study sessions again.

My plan is to start in end April or May to June, and take the test in July or beginning of August. I hope to break the 700 barrier this time. I plan to apply in Round 1 as I believe that the sooner I apply, the higher chance I will be awarded some scholarship money.

My questions
- How should I study to retake the GMAT this time? Given that I am still not comfortable with both Quant (45) and Verbal (30), I think I need to focus on both sections but not exactly sure how much time/concentration I should spend on each one.

- RC is my weakness. I spend forever reading the passage and still don't get what the author is trying to say sometimes. How should I improve my reading skills in 2 months to ace the test?

- With my profile and GMAT score of 720 (hopefully), do you think I will have a good chance of getting scholarship offers? If yes, what schools should I be applying to maximize my chance? I am not that serious about rankings as long as the schools are in the top 30 (both US and International).

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Regards,
Jan

[[email protected]]

Hi Jan,

First off, a 620 is good score (it's above the 70th percentile overall), so if the rest of your profile is strong, then you could get an invite to a Top30 School. I can't offer much perspective on your chances at getting a scholarship though (there are a number of variables, including the School that you would be applying to). You should spend some time thinking about what you want to do with an MBA. By defining your 'wants', you should be better able to define the type of MBA (and the School) that is most appropriate.

Given the schedule that you've described, your overall plan makes sense. From your prior studies (and prior CAT results), it appears that you took a 'book-heavy' approach and hit a consistent level in the low 600s. To score 720+, you're likely going to need to invest in a Course of some type (Guided Self-Study or Instructor Led). You'll need to learn (and practice) some new tactics, while getting out of whatever 'bad habits' you've gotten into during your prior studies.

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

[manyaabroadtpr]

Hi Jan,

We would advice you to follow the below steps to start preparing for your GMAT exam.

1. Start with a mock test. This will help you identify your strong and weak areas
2. If you plan to do self study, get your hands on the best preparatory material available in the market. You can speak to your seniors, get feedback on forums like pagalguy to seek out the best in the market
3. Joining a coaching institute is recommended because it gives a structure to your preparation. Remember cracking GMAT is not just about working hard but working smart as well
4. Make a study time table for yourself that suits you best. You can start with spending 2 hours every day and as you move closer to your test date, start increasing your study hours
5. Keep taking mock tests in real test taking situations. However, more important than taking a mock test is to analyse your performance in the same. If you spend 2 hours on a mock test, spend 6 hours in analysing the same. Figure out ways by which you can continuously keep improving your score
6. Make sure you stay consistent with your schedule. This is extremely important

To score well in verbal you have to be quite equipped to understand the vocabulary in the GMAT CR and RC passages. However the RC passages require that you are able to understand the words used in the context of the passage.Hence it would be best if you start reading articles, science journals , business tabloids and read them online and figure out for yourself if you can understand the language and the main idea present in the passage. This would be a better way to tackle vocabulary on the GMAT.

Follow the above advice and you will see your scores going up. Do write back in case you need any further assistance.

[BestGMATEliza]

Hey Jan,

congrats on the great start! I think you are on your way to achieving your GMAT goals! Two other important steps to breaking the 700 barrier are practicing with the most difficult questions and building your mental endurance. Whatever course or books you choose, will likely have some difficult questions, but you should also pick up books that cater specifically to 700+ scorers like Kaplan 800 and MGMAT advanced quant. Because the test is computer adaptive, you will see a lot more difficult questions than the average test taker the closer you get to a 700+.

To build your mental endurance, you should spend the last few weeks before the test taking full length practice tests (including IR and AWA). This will help prepare you for test day by building your mental stamina so you don't get mentally fatigued during the test, which could hurt your score quite a bit.

Hope this helps and good luck!!

[Rich@EconomistGMAT]

Hi eJanuary,

For someone who's not a native speaker, you're really off to a great start. One tactic we've found to be helpful in tackling RC questions is supplementing your prep with outside reading. Attack some of your favorite opinion pieces with the same mindset you'd address your RC questions. Ask yourself if you understand what argument the writer is making and the theories behind that argument. With so many RC questions on the GMAT asking you to determine the author's opinion, this is a great way to supplement your prep.

We recently elaborated on this on our blog, which you can check out here: https://bit.ly/1Cboze0

Keep going and best of luck!
Rich