Retake Action Plan - Advise needed

[aditisodhi]

Hello,

I gave GMAT at the end of May and scored a 700 (44 Q, 41 V). Since, I plan to apply to the top schools like LBS, Columbia, Kellogg, Wharton etc. and after going through some of the advice given on the forums, it’s clear that I have to retake the exam to balance out the Quant and verbal.

Trouble is, I have no idea where to start - most of the advice I have found is geared more towards improving scores from 650 to 700 and very little on how to get past that with a balanced score. Should I start with a diagnostic exam to figure out where I am now? I have an overall idea of my weaknesses but need help figuring out how to perform consistently on all the topics covered under Quant. Is it merely a matter of going over the concepts again and again and practicing or is there something more I can do? Is it worthwhile investing in the extra hard question banks? How much time should I set aside for it?

As you can tell, I am a little overwhelmed by how to tackle the retake so as to take my quant score to at least 80% while keeping my verbal stable.

Please advise.

Regards,
Adams

[StaceyKoprince]

When was your last MGMAT practice test? If it was within the last 6 to 8 weeks, that's good enough - you can use that as your starting point now. Otherwise, go ahead and take one now. 100% official conditions, including essay and IR! No pause button! etc.

Read this:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/

Then, use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

And take a look at the "how to learn" section of this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/

If you have ANY timing problems (you almost certainly do - almost everyone does), read these two articles:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

Finally, develop a plan from all of that and then come back here to tell us what it is (and ask any questions that you have). We'll tell you whether we agree, advise you further (including pointing you towards specific resources), and continue the conversation. :)

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!

Length of time-wise, you're looking to jump about 20 percentile points, so you're probably looking at a minimum of 4 weeks, probably more like 6 to 10 (but obviously it varies from person to person, and you just do what you have to do!).