640 to 700

[ankur.kapur4]

My last GMAT attempt was in April and I got a score of 640 (Q48, V28). Although I have been preparing for the exam after my last attempt but have not been very consistent. My score in the last few mock CATs over the last few months have been as mentioned below:

GMATprep: 690 (Q50, V32)
MGMAT 1: 650 (Q44, V34)
MGMAT 2: 590 (Q42, V30) took it after a gap of 8-9 days of studies

I have gone through all the material multiple times (OG, OG supplements, MGMAT books etc.). I have identified few areas as my weaknesses:

Quant - combinations, high level geometry questions, high level rate problems, word problems linked with %. Timing issue

SC - I am getting hard problems correct. But whenever I loose touch, I kind of settle with what sounds right (easy but ineffective option). I have confidence of cracking toughest problems but I feel that requires regular practice.

RC - still a weakness. Usually get bored with passages and land up selecting options randomly.

CR - strong but at times I slip.

I think I know the material but I am having hard time doing well across various areas. When I get good score in SC, CR slips or when RC is good, SC slips etc. Because of my venture I do not get time regularly and my weekends are also occupied.

GMAT has been hanging on me for quite some time and I want to do well (700+) this time. Given that I have gone through all good reference material, OG etc. and time of 30 days, what can I do to maximize my score. I know there is plenty of material available to study more but I do not want to bother myself with new material, anyways I have gone through plenty.

Please guide me how best can I utilize my time and yet score 700+ confidently. Only once I have seen 690 in practice, and I acknowledge there is still a gap which needs to be bridged but I struggling to figure out how.

Regards,
Aks

[StaceyKoprince]

The most important thing you listed on your quant list is the last item: timing. Combinations are rare. High-level geo is not that common. Mess up the timing, though, and you won't get the score that you're capable of getting!

Read these:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

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

Then come back here and tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. 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!)

For timing, read these and start doing what they say:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

SC: agreed, going with what sounds right is ineffective. How do you propose to practice / learn what you need to learn and minimize your mistakes?

You mention that you have gone though a bunch of material... but if you don't yet have the score that you want, then you haven't yet actually learned what you needed to learn from that material. You're not done with it. You're right that there's no point in going through new material - but that's because you're not learning effectively enough from what you've already done. :)

One of the articles above, the 2nd level of GMAT study, tells you how to learn effectively. Go read it. Then tell me what you need to change about your approach in order to get better!