Exam in 10 days!!!!

[mozart611]

Hi Experts

I've been studying for 2mnths and I'm not seeing the effect of my studying
1st test: MGMAT: 600
2nd test:GMAT PREP: 530
3rd test:MGMAT: 530 Took test om 01/05

I'm quite discouraged by my perf, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've read most of the MGMAT quant books except FDP and Geometry. I'm yet to finish Sentence Correction, 2 more chapters to go, and I've started CR and RC. My test is in 10 days and my goal is to score >700. What should I do?

Thanks

[StaceyKoprince]

It is very rare to go from 530 or 600 to 700 in 10 days; I'm sorry I don't have better news for you. At this point, you have two choices:

1) take the test anyway, but be prepared for the most likely outcome (that you will score about what you have been scoring on practice tests, not a 700)
2) postpone your test date (ideally until your practice test scores are in the range that you hope to score on the real test)

In terms of how to get better, read on.

You talk about reading the books, but you don't talk about what else you are doing - reading is just the first step. I assume that you are also doing the practice problems at the end of each chapter, yes? Are you also doing the OG problem sets?

When we talk about "doing" problems, what does that mean for you? Most people will do the problem, check the answer, and then (possibly) read the solution. If they got it wrong, they might do the work again according to the solution. That's all a good start, but it's only about 30% of the work that needs to be done in order to get better (especially if you want a 700 or higher!). Most of the learning comes from the analysis and study that you do after that initial stuff.

Read this article; it will help you to understand what I mean by "analyzing" the problem:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/10/09/how-to-analyze-a-practice-problem

Are you doing all of those things? If not, then that may be why you're not seeing a lot of improvement in your scores.

You may also benefit from this article:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/09/23/evaluating-your-practice-tests

It will help you to analyze your practice tests to figure out how you should be spending your study time.

[mozart611]

Thanks Stacey!! I have postponed my test, I'm giving myself 7 weeks to improve. I have been doing questions from OG and reviewing, but probably not as in-depth as you suggested. I'm trying your method, but I'm still getting stumped. For example, with Work & Rates questions, I read the chapter, understood the content, but can't seem to ans the tougher questions correctly. What do I do?

[StaceyKoprince]

First, search for those questions here and at Beat The GMAT. If the problem has already been discussed, read what the experts have to say to see whether that gives you any better ideas about ways to do things (and then go practice those things).

If you have additional questions about a problem that has already been posted, then ask your questions in that same thread - just reply to that post. Be as specific as possible with regard to what you do and don't understand about the problem.

If the problem has not yet been posted, then post it yourself (make sure to follow forum rules with respect to how to post problems!!). Again, be as specific as you can - don't just post the problem and ask how to do it. Describe what you do understand, and tell us where you think you're getting into trouble.

Do this enough times and you will learn how to handle these problems!