Query forwarded from an article by Stacey

[pranayagarwal1]

Hi All,

I have recently went through an article on BTG written by Stacey. The question I asked there required a forum to discuss things. As adviced by Stacey, I have put this query on MGMAT so that Stacey herself could answer (since she doesnot respond to forums on BTG). However, I would be glad to hear on this query from all experts and MGMAT fellow bloggers. :)

Please suggest.

The URL for the article is:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... ment-13295

For quick reference, I am copying the query here.
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for writing this article.
From the article I understand that the timing could hamper the scores on GMAT. If I try to answer the questions too quickly or too lately (taking more time to answer) then scores are affected even though I commit a few mistakes on the GMAT.
From my set of practice tests (4 tests) that I took last week I observed my overall GMAT score to range between 660 (Q47, V32) and 690 (Q51, V32). The max that I can touch on verbal was 33. I think I have soldified my score at a minimum of 660. However, my target is 720+ and I believe that I can achieve my target by working on Verbal to raise my bar from 32 to 38+ baselining quant at 47. Could you please advice me how to proceed further?
Regards,
Pranay

Please help.

_________________
Regards,

Pranay

[StaceyKoprince]

Hi, Pranay

Sorry I have taken so long to respond - as you can see from the GMAC Summit / SC news that has come out this week, things have been a bit crazy since I left for NY last week to attend the Summit (on the day that you posted).

Okay, let's see. You'll want to try to improve both quant and verbal because it's easier to improve your strengths - so don't neglect quant. Try to get that to 50/51 more consistently.

From my set of practice tests (4 tests) that I took last week

In future, don't take a practice test more than once a week (and 2-3 weeks between tests is even better). There aren't a ton of good-quality practice tests available, so you don't want to waste them. Once you take a test, you have the data already - taking another test the next day isn't going to change things much. And you aren't getting better simply by taking a bunch of tests - you're just learning what your current level is. Once you take one test, you know that.

Next, were those MGMAT practice tests? I'd like you to analyze your test results to give us more data with which to advise you - but the below article was written specifically for analyzing MGMAT tests:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

If you took some other test, see whether that test gives you the same kind of data and try to do the analysis anyway. If the test doesn't give you this data (eg, GMATPrep doesn't), then you may want to take an MGMAT CAT in order to get the data.

After doing that analysis, come back here and tell us what you think. (Don't just give us the raw data - tell us what you think it means. The ability to self-assess is crucial for your ability to study and improve.) We'll tell you whether we agree with your assessment and also advise you accordingly.

Also tell us what materials you have available - books, online resources, etc.

Finally, read this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... tudy-plan/

And if you have any timing problems at all, read this article and start doing what it says ASAP:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... anagement/