540 on 2 GMAT practice tests. HELP!

[skrr]

I have been studying for about 3 months, not very rigorously but I thought I was prepared. I tried 2 of the full length GMAT tests and got 540 both times. I definitely don't want to attempt the actual GMAT with that score and lack of confidence. Please help! What can I do to better this??

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Hi skrr,

Earlier in 2016, you stated that your score goal was 700+ and that you were planning to take the GMAT sometime during the middle of 2017. Are both of those goals still accurate?

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

[skrr]

Hi Rich,

Yes I am still on track to write the GMAT in 2017 and still want a score of 700. The 700 just seems like a steep climb form 540.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
I studied from October - December 2016 and tried the GMAT tests in the GMAT prep test software and got 540 both times.

2) What materials have you used?
I bought the GMAT books from the GMAC website itself and did the questions in all the 3 books. I also used Jamboree books from a friend who previously wrote the GMAT for more practice questions.

3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
IR - 6 of 12 correct
Quant - 20 of 37 correct
Verbal - 24 of 41 correct

Goals:
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
I am looking to apply for a 2018 start.

5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
I am looking to apply to the Ivy league schools.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

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Hi skrr,

When I asked about the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for those two CATs, I was not interested in the number of correct answers in each section. The Scaled Scores are numbers between 1 and 51 (and will come with a percentile, which I also am not interested in). Those Scaled Scores help to define your strengths and weaknesses in each section and can help to define what you would likely need to work on to hit your goal score. If you can let me know what those Scaled Scores were, then that would make it easier to recommend the proper study plan for you.

Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. Since you used a book-heavy plan for the last coupe of months, it's quite likely that this has happened to you as well. As such, you would likely end up benefiting a great deal if you invested in some non-book resources - specifically a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led).

1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can study each week?

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