Retaking the GMAT - ASAP or study up to R2 deadlines?

[jsl]

Hi Stacey Blackman consulting!

I have happily sat on the sidelines for a while deliberately not posting a message on this part of the forum because I see that you are inundated with queries. I didn't want to waste your time. However, I think I do need your advice now and any help you could provide would be hugely appreciated.

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After 5 months of studying, I took the GMAT mid October and scored a 640 (Q47, V31), AWA 6. Given that my two clean GMATPrep tests were 680 and 720, I walked away disappointed. My MGMAT and Kaplan CATS straddled the 720 mark a few weeks up to the test. I think I took the advice on this forum a little too literally and relaxed a bit too much since I wasn't tired out at the end of the test.

I am native Englishman and I am more of a quant type person than verbal. In verbal, I am quite good at SC but not so great at CR and RC.

QUESTIONS
1. - I plan to meet R2 deadlines (end Dec) and thus want to retake the GMAT sometime between mid November and end Dec. Do you suggest I retake as soon or as late as possible? I guess you're going to ask whether I feel ready and the answer is "yes".... I think I just messed up verbal by relaxing too much. Having said that, I also think that I would benefit from more focused time working on CR and RC.... if I don't burn myself out.
2. - What is the best way to improve in RC in general? I read a great deal but I read for knowledge and I really do absorb things in the long run. Unfortunately, this long term memory isn't so good for the GMAT.
3. - For my retake plan, I plan to focus on difficult SC and quant questions in addition to getting the basics of RC and CR spot on. During this time, I also plan to work on my admissions essays to add some variety to my life!. Does this plan seem ok?
4. - On the actual test, I think I let go of questions too early - thus losing a point and creating a "calm" testing atmosphere for me. When I'm calm, I really do just chill! I find that spending more time on early questions is beneficial to me because it increases my adrenaline which kept me on edge. Strangely, I think I really need that to score well so I'm going to do that on the actual test. Would you strongly advise against this or do you think this may work for me?

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As I highlighted earlier, I admire the fact you guys spend your time on this forum and I would be so thankful for any help you can give.

Best Regards,
JSL

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear jsl,

Thanks for posting your question and I hope you will find my answers helpful.

1. - Do you suggest I retake as soon or as late as possible?
during the fall, test slots go quickly so you might want to see what the availability is for a test in this timeframe. Based on the availability, you might not have much of a choice. I think it is best to take the test sooner rather than later if you feel you are ready. That way you can get your applications in sooner. Better to submit prior to the deadline than on that day with tons of other folks.

2. - What is the best way to improve in RC in general?
I'm probably not the best person to ask on this as I am not a GMAT instructor, just a former admissions director. I encourage you to visit other parts of this website for GMAT tips.

3. - Does this plan seem ok?
If you feel you can focus the right amount of effort on your GMAT prep in addition to your applications, work, life, etc., then it should work out fine. But you don't want to focus on one at the expense of the other. Be sure to focus on your GMAT prep so the second attempt is meaningul.

4. - Would you strongly advise against this or do you think this may work for me?
You know yourself best, but remember that your score is a function of both how many you get right and how many you answer. So if you are taking too much time, your score will suffer even if you get all of the questions right. I would suggest pacing yourself to not spend more than 2-4 minutes on each question.

Best of luck,
Lisa