BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Study Strategy for Re-take in 1 Month

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:36 pm

Study Strategy for Re-take in 1 Month

by fatmanx1 » Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:10 pm
I had high hopes of writing a glorious post in the "I beat the GMAT" section, but I didn't exactly beat the GMAT. After 2 months of serious studying (2-4hrs everyday), I ended up with a 680 86% (Q44 70% - V40 89%). My original goal was 700+, but towards the end I started believing that a 730 was achievable.

I thought the quant section was much tougher than anything I saw in the OG books. The actual format of many questions were not recognizable, even after completing hundreds of OG quant questions. It also didn't help that the 1st f-ing question was a stone cold doozie. I don't think I could have done any better on the verbal section and am happy with my score.

So where do I go from here? My strategy is to concentrate on the 700-800 level questions from MGMAT and focus on understanding the roots of the concepts rather than rely on question format recognition.

I plan on re-taking the GMAT on Dec 31st, my last chance before 2nd round applications are due. Any advice/help would be much appreciated.

Andrew

********
Books/Programs:
- Kaplan 800
- Kaplan PP
- OG regular and both supplemental guides
- MGMAT sentence correction
- GMAT Focus

Scores:
10/04 - 520 - V29 Q26 (Kaplan CAT1)
10/11 - 640 - (PowerPrep CAT 1)
10/19 - 610 - V35 Q38 (MGMAT free)
10/30 - 640 - V34 Q44 (MGMAT 1)
11/07 - 700 - (PowerPrep CAT 1 again)
11/07 - 670 - V36 Q45 (MGMAT 2)
11/15 - 590 - V34 Q36 (MGMAT 3)
11/15 - 660 - V37 Q43 (MGMAT 4)
11/22 - 730 - V41 Q49 (PowerPrep 2)
11/23 - 690 - V38 Q45 (MGMAT 5)
11/25 - 720 - V41 Q48 (PowerPrep CAT 2 again)
11/29 - 680 - V40 Q44 (The Real GMAT Test)
Top
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:17 pm
Thanked: 15 times
Followed by:2 members

by Jen Kedro » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:38 am
Hi,

First of all, congrats on your 680, as scoring in the top 14% of all test-takers is still impressive and respectable, and puts you not far off from the average GMAT score at a lot of top MBA programs. However it is understandable that many test-takers strive for that 700+ mark, putting you at the average at many programs. If you feel you are capable of improving, and willing to go for another short study period, then certainly it doesn’t hurt to try and can potentially help if you are successful.

Since you did score over 700 on a few practice exams, that would indicate that you are capable of boosting that 680 and breaking that 700 mark. I generally encourage students in your position not to wait too long to re-take, and to continue to maintain their current skills, while spending some extra time on any specific areas they feel they struggle with. It’s also important to keep focusing on timing, and practicing on the computer, and to maintain the level of studying until the next exam date (in other words, don’t get lazy!). Keep in mind that even the real GMAT has a +/- 30 point margin of error, or a given score could vary by 30 points on different days, so that plays a role even aside from your additional studying.

Do spend some time practicing those tougher questions, as you mentioned, and also the average to above-average questions—you have to be great at the 600-700 level questions to get to questions at the higher level, and remember that your estimated “level” is where you’re only getting about 50% correct, or every time it gets harder, you get it wrong, every time it gets easier, you get it right…

Best of luck, let us all know how it turns out.
Jen Kedrowski
Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
GMAT Teacher
MBA Admissions Consultant
National Product Team Member
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:36 pm

by fatmanx1 » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:51 am
Thanks Jen,

I do plan on re-taking the GMAT as early as possible (31 days). I am finding it difficult to get back into study mode after the emotional build-up and subsequent disappointment in my score. But I'll get over that soon enough. Its going to be difficult juggling the other aspects of the application process (essays, recommendations, school visits) while continuing to study hard.

Good advice on the 600-700 level questions, I think that makes a lot of sense. I'm going to start there instead of just focusing on the 700-800 level questions.

At this point, do you (or anyone else) suggest taking a quant intensive class or private tutor? I have a friend helping me out, but I'm afraid that I may have reached my own self-teaching limitations.

Thanks for the help,

Andrew
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:17 pm
Thanked: 15 times
Followed by:2 members

by Jen Kedro » Wed Dec 03, 2008 8:57 am
Hi Andrew,

I know, it can be tough to get back into that study mode. Certainly a private tutor can be effective if you have the budget and desire to pursue that route--the thing about a personal tutor is that they can watch how you approach problems and see exactly where YOU go wrong, or take too much time, etc, and hopefully give you that personalized guidance on how to focus your studies. That said, that doesn't mean you couldn't see the score you are looking for without a tutor, just something to consider.

Also you bring up a good point about all of the other application facets, and keep in mind that in many instances, if your GMAT score is respectable and fairly close to the school's average (which it likely is even now), then a lot of the decision will be made based on your other factors, in particular your essays, since your essays are where you are representing who you are, why you want the MBA and why you want to go to each particular school. So I would be careful to balance your time, and while keeping up some level of GMAT studies consistently is important, be sure you dedicate sufficient time to really crafting strong essays and allowing time to revise them and get feedback on them.

Best,
Jen
Jen Kedrowski
Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
GMAT Teacher
MBA Admissions Consultant
National Product Team Member
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1