Three Months to go from a 420 to at least a 550?

[kristina_wood14]

I just took my first GMAT and got a horrific score of 420 (30 percentile in verbal and a measly 14 percentile in quant) . I only casually studied for 3 weeks, got a 520 on the practice and stopped studying for 2 weeks ( NOT smart on my part, I know.) So now, I am extremely motivated to study hardcore for 3 months to achieve the score I need (over a 550). My study plans are as follows: Since my obvious weakness lies in quant, I plan to study 6 nights a week for 3 hours (2 hours devoted to quant and 1 hour to verbal). My study materials include: Manhattan GMAT quant Section (Month 1), Kaplan 2013 edition (Month 2), and the OG 13th edition for the last month. I will take a practice test every 2 weeks to monitor where I'm at and to pinpoint my weaknesses. Do you all think this will help beef up my official score to a 550? (I know a 550 isn't too high in the grand scheme of things, but the school I want requires that score and I am a VERY nervous test taker)! Any tips, advice, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

No need to apologize for your goal score - the smart thing is to do what you need to do to get into the school you want, period. Why do more when there are so many other valuable ways to spend your time? :)

First, study both quant and verbal. It's easier to improve your stronger area, so don't neglect verbal.

Second, I don't know what you mean by "Manhattan GMAT quant Section" - we don't have a product with that name. Do you mean that you'll be getting our quant strategy guides and studying from those?

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

Then, take a look at this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/

Make sure to read both parts of the second one. It takes about what kinds of materials you're going to need, how to set up your study plan, how to study, everything.

Don't save OG for the end. Start doing a little bit almost right from the start, but do more as you get further in.

Don't automatically take a practice test every 2 weeks. As the above article describes, use your analysis of a test to set up your study plan / priorities going forward. When you feel you have made substantial progress on the major issues you identified, then take another test. Earlier on, that might mean waiting 3 to 4 weeks before you take another test. Towards your actual test date, you might take a test only a week or 10 days after your last one. Base it on your progress, not an arbitrary date. :)

When you've gone through the above, taken your first test, analyzed it, and developed a study plan for yourself, come back here and tell me what it is and I'll tell you what I think. Good luck!

ETA: p.s. how was your timing? Most people mess that up, and that's especially true when the score is as low as your quant score was, so I'm guessing you definitely have timing problems. Make sure to read the time management resources linked in the article above!