HELP! First try 460, need 600+ until April

[maffi]

Hi all!

My person:

23 year old German (not native speaker) who finished his bachelor degree (undergratuate) above average in Business Administration. In high school I was almost effortless above average, altough struggeling with maths in my final 5hours exam. I think I always had problems with concentrating over a long period of time.


My GMAT goal and history:

I need to score a 600+!!

Study material: OG 2016, worked it 80% through
Endless hours of youtube videos about test taking strategies, math shortcuts and SC

Test exam results:

GMAT Prep1 490 Q32 (30%) V25 (36%) on December 22nd 2016

GMAT Prep2 490 Q31 (26%) V27 (43%) on January 16th 2017

Manhattan 560 Q?? v?? on January 20th 2017

Offcial GMAT 460 Q34 (28%) V20 (23%) on January 23rd 2017

Positive: The prep tests were kind of accurate. LOL

Negative: Did the AWA and IR part altough probably not needing it...Skip?!
Already exhausted at the beginning of Quant; answering the first questions wrong and it took me too long, guessing in the middle and last 10 questions were too easy(!), but didnt get harder anymore. Had 5mins left after finishing the quant section. I already knew at this point that I fucked it up... probably explains the bad verbal result! I had the strategy to take more time on the first 10 questions and from then on doing estimated guessing... but I could not answer any of the first 4-6 questions!


My GMAT future:

2nd GMAT 15th of April 2017, 2,5 months study time, only part time since I start an intern

Obviously a lot of things went wrong with my study efficiency. I studied a lot and it didn't get any better (see 1. and 2. practice test).

Do you have any advice on how to learn different? Any better tips for other study material than books? Something that is cheaper than 100§? I don't really have the money for taking another GMAT and affording expensive study materials...I'm really desperate right now haha!

Appreciate help in any form!

Thank you guys!!

[DavidG@VeritasPrep]

Hi all!

My person:

23 year old German (not native speaker) who finished his bachelor degree (undergratuate) above average in Business Administration. In high school I was almost effortless above average, altough struggeling with maths in my final 5hours exam. I think I always had problems with concentrating over a long period of time.


My GMAT goal and history:

I need to score a 600+!!

Study material: OG 2016, worked it 80% through
Endless hours of youtube videos about test taking strategies, math shortcuts and SC

Test exam results:

GMAT Prep1 490 Q32 (30%) V25 (36%) on December 22nd 2016

GMAT Prep2 490 Q31 (26%) V27 (43%) on January 16th 2017

Manhattan 560 Q?? v?? on January 20th 2017

Offcial GMAT 460 Q34 (28%) V20 (23%) on January 23rd 2017

Positive: The prep tests were kind of accurate. LOL

Negative: Did the AWA and IR part altough probably not needing it...Skip?!
Already exhausted at the beginning of Quant; answering the first questions wrong and it took me too long, guessing in the middle and last 10 questions were too easy(!), but didnt get harder anymore. Had 5mins left after finishing the quant section. I already knew at this point that I fucked it up... probably explains the bad verbal result! I had the strategy to take more time on the first 10 questions and from then on doing estimated guessing... but I could not answer any of the first 4-6 questions!


My GMAT future:

2nd GMAT 15th of April 2017, 2,5 months study time, only part time since I start an intern

Obviously a lot of things went wrong with my study efficiency. I studied a lot and it didn't get any better (see 1. and 2. practice test).

Do you have any advice on how to learn different? Any better tips for other study material than books? Something that is cheaper than 100§? I don't really have the money for taking another GMAT and affording expensive study materials...I'm really desperate right now haha!

Appreciate help in any form!

Thank you guys!!

You'll want to start by getting a good conceptual foundation. Feel free to check out our pre-recorded lessons on our app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gmat-vi ... 60224?mt=8

(If you prefer books, you can probably get a used set for under $100.)

For each lesson you do, prepare a one-page summary sheet that you'll review a few times per week. For additional drilling, here's our question bank: https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat/gmat-question-bank/

You'll also want to incorporate about one practice test per week. Thoroughly dissect each test you take. Make sure to list out 3-4 concrete strategic adjustments you can make before you sit for the next one. Wash/rinse/repeat until you're seeing your target score.

[[email protected]]

Hi maffi,

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) Have you used any other study materials besides the OG and some miscellaneous videos?

Goals:
3) Is your score goal 600 or something higher?
4) How do you know that you "need" a 600+?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

[maffi]

Hey Rich,

thanks for your reply!

Studies:
1) First 3 weeks: 2 hours/day and 6 days/week
Last 3 weeks: 6 hours/day and 6 days/week
2) I read in forums in case of topic specific questions

Goals:
3,4,6) For the LMU in Munich I need at least 600 points to get admitted for the interviews. A higher score is not necessary, but probably makes a better impression.

5) The application deadline is on the 15th of May.

Thanks a lot,

maffi

[[email protected]]

Hi maffi,

Raising a 450 to a 600 will take some serious work - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Based on what you've described about your studies so far, there are some immediate adjustments that you have to consider:

1) Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort yet. From your post, it's not clear how long you studied, but working through random practice questions and watching a few a disorganized series of videos isn't an effective way to prepare for this Exam.

2) It appears that you tried to spend almost no money on the preparation process. Considering the importance of the GMAT Score to your application(s), possible scholarships and possibly your career (some companies actually ask for your GMAT score during the hiring process) - you have to look at this whole process as an investment in your future (and not as a series of expenses to be avoided). This is meant to say that your 'big picture' plans could be completely derailed if you try to approach all of this with an emphasis on doing it cheaply.

You could potentially improve a great deal in 2.5 months, but you likely need the consistent, guided routine of a GMAT Course (either Guided Self- Study or instructor-led) to hit your score goal in that time. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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