Need help and advice-First GMAT 530

[NischayS741]

Hi,
I have taken my first GMAT last week and scored a dismal 530(Q-39,V-23,AWA-5,IR-5) As reflected in my score I need advice on both Quant and Verbal.I have taken a classroom course last year and also used all MGMAT guides hence,not able to comprehend how should I go about to achieve my target score of 720.I am planning to retake my GMAT not before September this year as I have to improve in almost all areas, more so in Verbal.In SC and CR even after going through MGMAT SC and Powerscore CR my accuracy is about 60%.Further,even when I take any mock test including MGMAT Tests I have scored >30 in Verbal mostly, but in real GMAT and GMAT Prep test my score in V is always below 25.I could not understand the reason for this difference which is more apparent in Verbal.In Quant I have specific issues with Word Problems and Geometry.In my first attempt I have taken almost 10 tests in timed conditions as real GMAT without any noticeable improvement.

In my opinion even though I am a non native,I am pretty decent in writing English as it has been my primary language of instruction in school and college.However,when it comes to grammar and rules I am left wanting.In my first attempt I have pretty much used up every Verbal resource possible, but in vain.For this time I thought it would be better to brush up my basics and hence ordered MGMAT Verbal foundations. Is it a good idea?

Considering I am a non native does anyone think it is a realistic time frame to improve my score to >700 in 4 months, from a position where I am now.Request some urgent advice as to what should be my next steps to improve specifically in Verbal and also in Quant to move from 39 to Q50.

[StaceyKoprince]

This is my first concern:

In my first attempt I have taken almost 10 tests in timed conditions as real GMAT without any noticeable improvement.

If you do something 10 times (or almost 10), but see no change, then the way in which you're preparing is not effective. So we need to figure out how you can be more effective in preparing for this test.

You mentioned that you took a class last year, but you are listed as a "prospective student" here, so I'm assuming that means you did not take our class? (You don't have to take our class in order to post here; I'm just asking because there are some services that you're entitled to use if you did take our class.)

Your essay and IR scores are good - nice to know that you don't have to worry about those sections.

Next, we need to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses - not just on the test but also in terms of how you're studying for the test. Then we can figure out a good study plan.

First, read these two articles:
http://tinyurl.com/executivereasoning
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

Think about how what you've been doing does and doesn't match up with that and how you may need to change your approach accordingly.

Then, use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CATs (this should take you a minimum of 1 hour):
http://tinyurl.com/analyzeyourcats

Based on all of that, figure out your strengths and weaknesses as well as any ideas you have for what you think you should do. Then come back here and tell us; we'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

[NischayS741]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks for the reply.I am a non native speaker from India and had taken the classroom course out here only from one of the major test prep companies.

As advised I went through both the articles and found it extremely insightful and on basis of this took a MGMAT test yesterday for assessing my current level on Quant and Verbal.I scored 600 with a split of Q-39,V-34.I was surprised to see that although my Quant score was exactly the same as my GMAT score taken a week ago but my Verbal jumped by 11 points from V23 to V34 in this test.In the last 1 week after the exam I had not touched Verbal hence,the result was a bit of surprise.
However, my analysis of this test are as follows:
In Quant I figured out that I have a major time problem.I was taking too much time in my initial 2-3 questions sometimes to the extent of taking > 4 minutes.The time taken is more on questions in Word Problems and Geometry mostly on 600-700 level questions.For others although my accuracy is decent on 600-700 level questions but falter on the more advanced ones.Further, the time problem gets more apparent as I approach the last 5-6 questions in Quant where I have to rush through to finish the section.Hence, need advice on the above and how can I go about fixing my issues on Word Problems and Geometry.
In Verbal though I was surprised to see the jump, I noticed that almost all of my questions which I got incorrect were 700-800 level questions.In Verbal too, I have a timing issue as in the test I was not able to attempt the last 5 questions. In the actual GMAT I think I was rushing through to complete the Verbal section and most probably got all of the last 5-6 questions incorrect but in this test I refrained from rushing on the last questions.

I hope I am able to present a clear picture of my issues right now hence,request your kind advice and help as to how to go about the retake.Your inputs in the matter will be highly appreciated.Thanks in advance.

[StaceyKoprince]

Okay, now we have something to work with!

First, read that Executive Reasoning article every day. I'm totally serious. You need to switch your mindset from "I'm taking a school test" to "I'm making a series of business decisions." It's going to take a lot to overcome your pre-conditioned training.

Given the timing problems you described, it's likely that your "true" scoring level is somewhere around 600-ish right now (assuming you fix your timing problems), so that's better than 530. It might even be better than that, if you can fix your overall mindset issue, too, because you're using up valuable brain energy on things that are too hard anyway, and that will affect your performance later in the test. So your first task is to fix the timing and mindset stuff, because that's what's really holding you back.

Read this (it's a 2-part article; make sure to read the whole thing!) and start doing what it says:
http://tinyurl.com/GMATTimeManagement

For Word Problems, are you finding that you're having most issues with Story-format problems? In certain topics areas only, or stories in general? For most people, it's the latter, so I've included some articles below that address story problems in general (including on FDP problems, by the way).

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/2012/ ... into-Math/
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... ms-part-1/
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... them-real/

For geo, is the trouble that you don't know all of the rules and formulas? Or is the trouble more that you know the content but are sometimes struggling to apply the information? And does this happen on all geo or just on the hardest 1 or 2?

If the latter, my best advice to you is to guess quickly on those geometry questions. There are typically only 3 or 4 in the entire section, and you can afford to blow off the hardest 1 or 2, given all the other things that are much more likely to be tested.

Which brings me to a broader theme: you mentioned for both Q and V that you're missing the 700+ questions. Yes, that makes sense - they're the hardest ones, right? Your goal is actually not to miss too many of the easier questions. Missing those will bring down your score.

If you'd like to get more detailed advice on other topic areas to study, then make sure to complete the analysis of your CATs using the article I linked last time. Or if you have completed it, then tell me what's in each bucket. (If you don't know what I mean by "bucket," then you didn't read the second half of the article yet - go do so!)