Need urgent advice: Shall I take the real test now?

[nadontheway]

Hi all,

I have a few questions. Thanks in advance for your hints.

1. Target Score: 650+ Shall I take the test in a few days or wait? I would like to apply for Fall 09. Deadlines for Round I are scheduled beginning October 08.

pls see above my practice tests score:

1st attempt GMAT (Feb 08) 470 (Q32, V23) -never done a full practice test and not aware of the excellent MGMAT books. But I took Kaplan courses (seem not to be helpful)

Then, after reading the books:
Free MGMAT Cat: 520 (Q31, V31)
MGMAT 1: 640 (Q40, V37) (but stopped the timing when hit hard questions in Verbal)
MGMAT 2: 570 (Q38, V30)
MGMAT 3: 530 (Q33, V31)
MGMAT 4: 600 (Q43, V30)
MGMAT 5: 560 (Q39, V29)
MGMAT 6: 510 (Q35, V25)

Gmat prep 2: 640 (Q44, V34) (but see about 4-5 repeats in CR)
Gmat prer 1: 610 (Q44, V30)
Gmatprep 1 repeat: 690 (Q43, V40) (too many repeats in Verbal)

Powerprep: 610 (Q40, V34)

It seems that MGMAT boosts my score in Quant. But I am still stuggling with Verbal. I always run out of time and I have to guess the last 5 questions in Quant and Verbal. I am trying to improve my timing strategy and "let go" some questions.

Do I need to wait to score higher than 650 to expect 650+?

2. How to improve my verbal?
(This question has been asked a hundred times.)

I have exhausted the main books (OG, MGMAT) and cats.
Shall I take a private tutor to boost my verbal? Unfortunately, MGMAT is not in Paris. What about veritas tutors?

Many questions. Hope to get your insights. I have not prepared my apps and did not take the gmat. But still want to apply for Round 1. Is it realistic with respects to my target score?

Very much appreciated!

[VP_Jim]

Without ever scoring a 650 on a practice test, I think it's very unlikely that you'll get a 650 on the real thing. Most students tend to do roughly the same as they scored on their last couple practice tests.

If you're serious about scoring that highly, you should probably put the test off and keep on studying.

And, we (Veritas) have private tutoring and weekend seminars in Paris. You can obviously start tutoring whenever you want, but the next weekend class starts October 11. Here's the link:

https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat/Paris

Good luck!

[nadontheway]

Thanks VP_Jim!

I had my answer. I should wait until I score above my target score.
I will decide soon if I need a tutor.

I have another question: How do I determine my weaknesses?

For that, I used the MGMAT online cat reports. But, I can't decide I am weak in a specific are only if I got repeated wrong answers in the same type of question. How will I answer this type of question in a lower level range? As you know, the accuracy to answer is correlated to the difficulty level. For instance, I can receive 80% accuracy on geometry-lines and angles but only because the pool sent me 300-500 level over only 3 questions of this type. Hence, I decide it is not a weakness and move on. But if I received a 700-800 level for the same type, i could have struggled.

thanks for your insights