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GMAT - a great depression for me? Please help!

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GMAT - a great depression for me? Please help!

by sachgopa2 » Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:49 pm
Guys, I started my GMAT prep in Jan 2010 and took Dignostic test and scored 580. Don't remember exactly what was quant score but verbal score was pathetic 26. I could solve only approx. half of verbal section before time ran out (I checked all remaining questions by putting some letter of the day e.g. D). This was without any preparation. After one month studying OG11 and Kaplan Premier, I took GMAT Prep test and scored 590. Again, I was unable to finish verbal section in time. This started making me nervious. Then I signed up for Veritas Prep Verbal Focus class and felt quite comfortable. However, my speed did not improve at all. I solved all 15 Veitas Prep books, kept error log etc and again took GMAT Prep today and scored pathegtic 560 (Q48, V19). Today again, I could solve hardly 20 questions out of 41 in verbal.
I don't know what to do. I have scheduled my GMAT on 5th August and not sure if there is anyway I can improve my speed on verbal section. My accuracy level is not too bad as you can see that I am solving roughly half questions and scoring between V19 and V26. I started losing hopes that my comprehension skills are not good enough and may not be able to improve.
I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations to improve my verbal skills.
Note: I am a non-native English speaker but studied in English after my high school (under grad and grad courses in Engg)
C'on GMAT experts - help me!
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by madhukumar_v » Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:40 pm
Hey sorry man.. of what you are going through., keep some patience and some belief and you will get across. I was in the same boat as you, but things are changing slowly, only thing I am doing is being consistent in everything I do. This is my opinion, so take it accordingly. First, go through your 2 GMAT PREP exams and note down which questions you got right and which questions you got wrong. Also note down which questions you took more time, and which questions you were stuck, also note down which answer choices made you stuck.

So you see, you are basically pin-pointing what's going on wrong with your verbal. If you see that you are not doing well in SC, take MGMAT SC 4th edition and spend some time on topics which you can strengthen and don't take any other material besides OG and GMATPREP for SC. If you are weak at CR, go through power score bible or I would say MGMAT 4TH Edition not 3rd edition (They have improved a lot in 4th) and go through the theory and the questions behind each topic. If you are weak at RC, just practice..practice..practice (4 RC's a day). Don't try to push yourself towards August 5th, if you can, try to master the topics atleast 70-80% and then go for the exam. There is no reason going for the exam expecting to score 750, when your GMATPREP scores are coming closer to 600, it will be pain. Work hard towards your weaknesses and convert them into Strengths. Forget about quantity..Focus on Quality and Improving your Weaknesses. Also just use OG for everything.

And above are my thoughts, please consider them accordingly. Good Luck.
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by sachgopa2 » Sat Jul 03, 2010 6:49 pm
Hi Madhukumrar, thanks for encouraging feedback/comments. My main issue is with timing/pacing. I am not sure if this can improve with mere practice. Yes, it is true that my studies have been irregular due to various constraints. I am going to try my best in next one month and give it a shot. My target score is between 680-700. If you have a plan fr me, let me know.
When are you taking the test? What is your target score? What prep material are you using?

Sachin
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by David@VeritasPrep » Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:36 pm
Sachin -

I am sorry to hear that your speed has not improved, even after the Veritas Verbal Focus. I have worked with many students in a similar position and would like to see if I can help you...

I know that you are taking the test soon, but I just want to remind you that you get a free re-take with Veritas - no questions asked!

I would love to have you join my Online class that starts Tuesday, July 5th. Tell the Veritas office that you would like to sign up for your free retake. By July 27th we will have done at least the first lesson on all 3 Verbal question types. I think that you will find that I have some strategies you have not tried before. Verbal classes are on Tuesdays.

I have helped lots of students in your position and I would love to help you to speed things up!

David
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by sachgopa2 » Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:22 pm
Hi David,
I appreciate the feedback and willingness to help. I surely would like to re-take the class if possible.
Please advice who I should contact to get enrolled for this online class.
I hope I can improve my speed and score on verbal section.

Thanks,
Sachin
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by akhpad » Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:49 am
Hi David,

How can I improve my RC skill. My RC is rarely correct during practice test.
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by David@VeritasPrep » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:55 pm
Two thoughts for you on reading comp are

1) Realize that something like 3/4 of all reading comp questions are best addressed by re-reading a portion of the passage and often the correct answer choice is a paraphrase of the text. Even within the paraphrasing key words will often remain like scientific words and business jargon. Have you been going back to the text when you can? You will know that you should re-read the text if the question stem itself points you to one paragraph. If the question stem is so general that you could return to multiple paragraphs or the entire passage you should start with a process of elimination of the incorrect answer choices. Remember, if you can go back to the text you want to do that.

2) To help you know which paragraph to return to, and to help you comprehend the passage as a whole you should stop at the end of each paragraph and think about what was in that paragraph. I usually write down 6 - 12 words that describe the main idea of the paragraph. This will help fix in your mind what was in each paragraph and will help you to return to the correct paragraph when possible. If you cannot sum up a paragraph take the time to re-read it - it is worth it.

Do not try to make up time on the reading. Skimming is inappropriate - but as so many others have mentioned on this site - so is reading for detail. Read for the context and the main idea of each paragraph not for the exact number of gallons of water or exact date something happened, etc.

I believe that everyone has the ability to do well on reading comprehension!

Good luck

David
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