Advice please

[s.aamershah]

I've been studying on my own for the last 6 months. About 1 hour a day/4 days a week and 4-5 hours a day/3 days a week

My Goal is to get somewhere between 680-720.
I'm scheduled to sit for the test on May 18th.

My strategy was to take as many tests as possible but that hasn't worked out that well.

I need help with 2 questions
1) I took the Manhattan GMAT tests prematurely and after reading Stacey's article I'm worried my scores are inflated. I did not review the tests thoroughly after taking them. Should I retake them or just review them and only take the 2 official practice tests?

2) Is there any point in trying to take a Manhattan GMAT class now since I've already been through the Manhattan material once? I'm willing to push back my test date to accommodate a 9 week class.

I started off with Princeton Review and took 4 CATs

1/18/2010 CAT 1 - 540 Q-32 V-32 - Ran out of time and just blindly guessed the last 12 Quant questions

Actually attempted all the questions for the rest:

1/26 CAT 2 - 540 Q-28 V-36 -
2/3 CAT 3 - 560 Q-31 V-36-
2/15 CAT 4 - 620 Q-40 V-36 -

I did not attempt the AWA sections and I also did not complete the tests in one sitting (quant- in the morning & verbal- in the afternoon)

I switched to Manhattan GMAT strategy guides in Dec 09 because I felt Princeton Review did not cover the topics sufficiently.

I then attempted the MGMAT CATs

2/16 CAT 1- 520 Q-25 V-36
2/23 CAT 2 - Didn't finish because of a time issue and somehow couldn't restart
2/23 CAT 3 560 Q- 33 V-34
3/16 CAT 4 600 Q- 35 V-36
3/20 CAT 5 670 Q - V-36
3/24 CAT 6 650 Q-40 V-38

I did not attempt the AWA sections and I also did not complete the tests in one sitting (quant- in the morning & verbal- in the afternoon)

So maybe the scores are actually closer to the 400-500 range.

Quant - My weakest areas are Equations, inequalities and VICs (pretty much everything in the strategy guide) and Word Translations

Verba -l CR - Analyze Argument Structure, Find the Assumption, Strengthen/Weaken the Conclusion and in SC-Idiom's and modifiers. In RC- Science paragraphs.

I don't really know how to study from here for the next month and a half. Please help! Again, I'm willing to take a class if someone feels it's worth it.

[StaceyKoprince]

As it sounds like you've already learned, CAT exams are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. The actual act of just taking the exam is NOT so useful for improving. It's what you do with the test results / between tests that helps you to improve.

Because you skipped the AWA and didn't take the rest of the test in one sitting, it is pretty likely that your scores are inflated. We can't really tell how much, but they are probably inflated at least somewhat. I wouldn't say all the way down at 400; the worst-case scenario is probably in the mid-500s or so.

We can tell, though, from looking at the progression: it looks like you've made some progress on quant, so that's good.

So, what to do now? If you want to, you can talk one CAT under full official conditions. Unfortunately, you've already done all 6 "clean" MGMAT tests, so you might see repeats on future tests. We don't want that when we're trying to get a very accurate picture of your scoring range, so I would use GMATPrep instead (the free practice tests you get from the makers of the real test).

Take ONE (NOT both), do the essays, take only two 8-min breaks between the sections, etc. Take the test at the same time of day as you plan to take the real test. Do not eat or drink during the test - on the breaks only. Etc.

GMATPrep does not record for you the time you spend on each question, and that's very important data to have, so ideally, you should do that yourself. If you don't already have one, buy a stopwatch with "lap" capability, and read the instructions (that come with the stopwatch) for how to use the "lap" function. Use that while taking the test to record your time for each question.

That will give you a more accurate picture of your current scoring level. You can use your most recent MGMAT practice tests to assess your strengths and weaknesses; use this article to help:

http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/09/23/evaluating-your-practice-tests

Now, in terms of whether to take a class. I don't think it would be a waste of time to take a class even though you've studied from the books on your own. A LOT gets discussed in class that you won't get from the book (mostly about HOW to study, HOW to read, interpret, approach questions, etc.).

I think the major issue will be: is your scoring range already in the mid-600s (fairly close to your goal)? If so, then maybe you'll be fine continuing on your own. Is your scoring range really in the 500s? Then you'll either need more time to do it on your own, or you may want to take a class.

In terms of HOW to study, take a look at this article:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/03/22/the-best-of-beat-the-gmat-mgmat-how-to-study-list

There are a number of links lower down in that article to other articles discussing how to analyze various kinds of practice questions. Use the "How To Evaluate" article from above to figure out WHAT things to study and use these articles to understand HOW to study.

Good luck!

[s.aamershah]

Hi Stacy,
Thank you for the feedback!

For MGMAT CAT 2, I incorrectly set the timer and I attempted only one quant question. Can student services just reset that test? If so, I think I could get a pretty accurate idea of how I'm doing.

If not, because of my earlier strategy to take as many tests as possible I purchased a Kaplan book with 6 tests. I also saw on the MGMAT website that if I've run out of MGMAT tests I can purchase 800score’s GMAT practice tests.

I'd prefer to save the GMATPrep tests for the last couple of weeks as I've read they are considered to be the most accurate representation.

I've read mixed reviews on how accurate the Kaplan tests are.
Do you have any experience with 800score's and do their tests record the time on each question?

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm not sure what they can do from a technical standpoint - contact them to see.

You said you've got a Kaplan book with tests - is there a CD or something? These aren't paper tests, right? (Because a paper test obviously wouldn't be adaptive.)

I've heard mixed things about 800score but haven't tried them myself. Some of my fellow teachers liked the verbal but not the quant or vice versa, so I don't even have a consistent message about one section being generally good or something like that. :(

I agree with the strategy to save GMATPrep.

Given that you started taking the MGMAT tests 2 months ago and that you didn't thoroughly review them, my guess is that there's a pretty good chance you won't even remember getting repeated questions before.

Plus, you can still take another MGMAT CATs (with possible question repeats) as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats. First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks vaguely familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.

So, if I were you, I think I'd do an MGMAT test, following the above strategy if you see a repeat question that you remember!

[s.aamershah]

Hi Stacey,
Thanks again for your feedback. I was actually able to get student services to reset MGMAT CAT 2. I plan to take it this weekend and simulate actual testing conditions as much as possible. I attempted only one question in this test (close to two months ago) so the questions should all be new to me.

Also, since I was worried my scores were inflated I've pushed my test date to June 5th. I really want to score over a 700, so that gives me another couple of weeks.

As far as taking more tests, I don't think I have much of a timing issue because after taking so many tests I have a pretty good idea of when I've spent over 2 minutes on a question. I just plan to take the MGMAT CAT 2 to see where I stand and then take the GMATPrep tests two weeks before the test date.

I plan to follow the advice in your articles and spend a lot of my remaining study time on reviewing questions from the previous CATs/Questions banks. I've already created a detailed error log.

Thanks again for your wonderful advice!

[StaceyKoprince]

you're welcome - good luck!

[s.aamershah]

Stacey,
I recently read your article "The Distinction Between a 700 Score and a 760 Score." Again, some excellent information. I'm not at the level that I can target a 760+ but I had questions about the skills you mentioned in the 700+ section.

You mentioned that the people who consistently score over a 700+ make at most 3-4 careless errors per section. What is considered a careless error at this level? Getting a 600-700 level question or a 500-600 level question wrong?

How many questions do they get wrong overall?

[StaceyKoprince]

careless error = getting a question wrong that you fully knew how to get right (you had all of the necessary knowledge and skills). You didn't get it wrong because you didn't know something or you didn't know how to do something - you got it wrong because you made what people sometimes call a "silly" mistake. These are the ones where you slap yourself on the side of the head and say, "I can't believe I did that!"

Up to around the 80th or 85th percentile, people are answering about 60% of the questions correctly. Above that, people get somewhat higher percentages correct, but we're talking 70%, 80%... not 100% (even at the 99th percentile).

[StaceyKoprince]

Also, the article that the last poster referenced can be found here:

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/04/15/the-distinction-between-a-700-score-and-a-760-score

[s.aamershah]

Stacey,
Since I last posted, I've spent a lot of time reviewing my old practice exams and further reviewing concepts.
I took two tests under official testing conditions and scored:
MGMAT CAT 2 on 4/20 and scored a 660 Q42 V38
GMATPrep CAT 1 on 5/15 and scored a 670 (I can’t go back to the previous screen to see the breakdown. Do you know how to go back without losing the flagged questions?)

I believe my original test scores were inflated and after the time spent reviewing the questions I have made enough improvement to actually be in the higher 600 range.
I noticed with both tests that I had about 3 questions left towards the end on both quant and verbal. I always complete the test - no answer is left blank. I just pick ONE letter for the last few (for example B in the hopes that 1 out of 3 will be right). They're blind guesses, I only have time to pick an answer and click next. I am scheduled to sit for the exam in three weeks on June 5th. I would really like to break 700 but I have other commitments that prevent me from pushing the test date into July.

A few questions:
General
1. Is it possible to improve 30-60 points in 3 weeks?
2. If I do retake the test how many months should there be in between prior to a second attempt?

Timing
1. I’ve read your articles on time management and you talk about "sacrificing" a question if you feel you are more than 2 minutes behind. Since, I have about 3 questions left towards the end I think I’m falling a cumulative 4-6 minutes behind. I understand that the first ½ of the test has more of an impact on your score, and getting consecutive questions wrong has more of an impact, so when should this "sacrifice" occur?
a. I’ve noticed I get 3 consecutive questions wrong in the middle of the test and on the end. I spend the extra time on the middle and still get them wrong and guess the last few. I always complete the test - no answer is left blank. I just pick a letter for the last few (for example B in the hopes that 1/3 will be right). Should I "sacrifice" in the middle in the hopes to answer the last 3 correctly?

[StaceyKoprince]

Nice work! (Also, just to make sure: the two most recent tests were taken under full official conditions, including essays, right? :)

This is not true:

I understand that the first ½ of the test has more of an impact on your score

This is true:

getting consecutive questions wrong has more of an impact

First, I check my time approximately every 10 questions to see whether I'm on track (note: some people like to do this every 5 questions or every 7 or whatever). As soon as I discover that I'm more than 2m behind (or ahead), I do something about it immediately. (Less than 2m ahead or behind isn't a huge problem.) If I'm behind, the next time I see a question that seems extra hard within the first 15-20 seconds, I pick a random answer immediately and move on. If I'm still behind, I do that again the next time I see something extra hard (even if it's the very next one*).

(*Note: that's because, the first time you do it, you're probably going to get that question wrong, in which case there's a good chance you'll be able to do the next one. If you happen to get very lucky and get it right, then maybe you won't be able to do the next one - after all, the first one was already extra hard - so it doesn't hurt to skip the second one because you got lucky on the first one!)

I spend the extra time on the middle and still get them wrong and guess the last few.

Well, it's clearly not helping you to spend the extra time there, so at the least, you shouldn't spend extra time. Whether you sacrifice those will depend upon whether you are already behind on time. If you're not behind, then you can still spend normal time on those. If you are behind, then you should pick some of those to sacrifice.

The general idea is that you want to sacrifice something that's really hard. You want to be able to choose what you sacrifice, not be forced into it by the test.

1. Is it possible to improve 30-60 points in 3 weeks

Possible, yes. No guarantee obviously.

2. If I do retake the test how many months should there be in between prior to a second attempt?

That depends upon what happened on test day, how much of a score improvement you want to see the second time, how much time you have to study (every day? week-ends only?), and so on. The only absolute is that you have to wait at least 31 days.