530 on first GMATPrep CAT... need advice!

[JeffreyM651]

Hi there,

I just scored a 530 (Q-29, V-33, IR-3) on the official CAT test. I didn't rush through either of the V or Q sections, but I had over 30 minutes remaining for each section when I completed them.

I am scheduled to take the test on July 23rd.

I began studying this week (probably 10-15 hours) and took the diagnostic test in the OG on Tuesday (PS-7, DS-9, RC-13, CR-9, SC-13).

For study materials, I have the 3 2018 OG books, the 9 MGMAT guides with access to their online questions and practice tests, and a premium subscription to Magoosh.

A little background on me... I graduated a few weeks ago from a top 10 business school. I start my full-time job on August 5th and will be moving across the country on August 1st, so I was keen to take the test before the stress of moving and starting a new job where I will be traveling most weeks Monday-Thursday. I am home this summer working remote part-time for a company in California. I'm located in Dallas (2 hour time difference), so I can dedicate 4-5 hours each morning to studying for the GMAT. Also, I will be on a camping road trip from June 9th-June 23rd, so those two weeks I can bring some books for me to study during long drives, but I won't have access to a computer and my studying won't be as productive as it would be normally.

My obvious weakness is the quant section... math has always been my weakest suit and I know I need to primarily focus on that.

I'd love some advice on how to utilize the study materials I have already purchased as efficiently as possible over next 2 months. My target score was originally 710, but after taking the CAT, I am a bit discouraged and have changed my target score to 700. Is there time to reach this goal? Any advice/suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks so much!!

[StaceyKoprince]

Current score: 530
Target score: 700
Current time planned: 8 weeks

Most people who are working full-time would need more than 8 weeks to achieve a 170 point jump. But you'll be mostly studying in this timeframe, so you may be able to make it. Just note that you may also need a few more weeks. I know it would be ideal to be done with this before you have to move and start your job, so do go for it—but you also risk stressing yourself out by telling yourself that you MUST have it done by the 23rd. You do have the leeway to push it a little later, so if you find that you need that time, then give yourself the gift of taking it. You don't need to decide this now—you can see how it goes and decide in July.

Ah, I just got to the part where you'll be out of computer access for ~2 weeks of the 8. I'd say that this increases the chances that you'll need to give yourself another couple of weeks, but I still think you don't need to decide that today.

It sounds like you have just our books, not our Interact lessons or curriculum / syllabus, yes? In that case, you'll need to develop your own study plan. (Our self-study-plus / on-demand program includes a full study plan—but it costs more, of course.)

To develop your own, start here for big picture / developing your mindset:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... lly-tests/
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... -the-gmat/

Think about that stuff, take some notes, then dive in here to get into more nitty-gritty on developing a plan:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... our-score/

Feel free to come back here and tell us your plan; we'll tell you where we think you're on the right track and what we'd tweak.

You mentioned that you know Quant is your weaker side. You might find the following free resources helpful:

(1) Fast Math & avoiding math where possible
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... rt-1-of-5/
blog/2016/01/12/heres-how-to-avoid-calculations-on-gmat-quant-problem-solving/

(2) Story problems
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... them-real/
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... ms-part-1/

We also do have a Foundations of Math strategy guide that is not part of our standard *10-set of books. If you find, as you dive into the main math strategy guides, that it's sometimes going over your head, then you may need to start with Foundations of Math.

*Note: Our current bookset (6th edition) includes 10 guides, not 9. I'm mentioning this because our older edition (5th) was just 9 guides—and that edition did not include any math strategy chapters. From what you've said, you might need the 6th edition of the math guides. (Also worth noting, just in case: The code for the online resources can only be used once. If you bought the books used, chances are whoever first owned them already used the code.)

It's also possible that you just didn't bother getting one of the 10 guides (IR & Essay? Roadmap?), but that you do have 6th edition. In that case, carry on.