GMAT Interact and strategy

[PetriF258]

First off, until about 3 weeks ago I didn't know GMAT existed! I did some research and decided to buy the GMAT interact program, and I must say, one of the best decisions, thank you.

Just a bit of background: I haven't done any mathematics in 8 years. English is my second language. I spent about 2 weeks getting the basics back in the grey matter (for example, the sum of all the angles in a triangle is 180, o yes, I remember doing something like that 8 years ago!). I also worked through the first 2 chapters of verbal fundamentals and did a few questions from various sources, to get a feel for the GMAT.

I think the basics are there now and I spent some additional time on the concepts that are new to me, for example, what is n!, what is combinatorics? I started with the 9 week interact program last week.

I wrote the first CAT exam and scored 600 (Q=44; V=30). I had a quick look at some of the mistakes I made and most of the time my reaction was shock due to the fact that I missed the answer, i.e. "c'mon, I knew that".

Finally, my question. I have sufficient time available to work through the program in less than 8 weeks (3 - 4 hours a day). I will have time to do questions at the end. Given the info above, is it possible to achieve 700 in the remaining 8 weeks or should I rethink my strategy?

Thanks

[StaceyKoprince]

From a 600 starting point? Yes, it's possible to increase 100 points in 8 weeks. That's on the ambitious side, but it's possible.

I would go ahead with your strategy now and see how things are progressing in 3-4 weeks. :)

Careless mistakes! Yes, we all make them. But don't just stop with, "D'oh! I knew how to do that!" Here's how to train yourself to minimize careless errors:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

I'd also read this hust to make sure that your overall approach / mindset is good:
http://tinyurl.com/executivereasoning

and this:
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

And, of course, take advantage of the forums - check in, ask questions, and let us know how it's going!

[PetriF258]

Hi Stacey

Thank you very much for the links. Furthermore, tell the Interact guys I love their "shows".

Regards

[StaceyKoprince]

I will do so, thanks!

[PetriF258]

Hi Stacey

Just an update and a request for some advice.

So, to put it mildly, I have been working my **** off. I am not sure how many hours I have put in, but it is far beyond 100 hours. About two weeks ago I did the mock exam, and as cautioned in the roadmap, I had the same score as my first test. I was devastated. But luckily the roadmap explained why this happened, and I must say, I agree. All my answers were "so close", but not there yet.

I have subsequently worked on time management. I am currently working through the advanced quant supplement questions (chapter 9) and I have an 65% - 85% on the questions, it really depends on my "mood". My average time is between 2 minutes and 2: 30 per question.

So here are my questions: I have 10 days to D-Day. I just have to finish week 9 of the syllabus. I have study leave until the day of the exam. What now? Is 65% - 85% accuracy of the chapter 9 questions enough for a 700 score? What should I do next week? I have 5-6 possible days of study.

I will be taking a prep test today.

Regards

[StaceyKoprince]

At this point, your focus should mostly shift to an overall review. You want to make sure that you haven't forgotten things that you haven't looked at in a month.

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

Also, you want to make sure that you're not burning yourself out, so start easing DOWN on the study time. If you go into the test mentally fatigued, you won't do as well as you could.

If you're answering 65+ % of AQ questions correctly within the 2 to 2.5 minute timeframe, then yes, you should do well on quant. That's only half of the 3-digit score though... so I can't say whether that's enough to get your overall score to 700.

How did your practice test go?

[PetriF258]

Good day Stacey

So after 3 months of working really hard, I wrote the test today and came so close... 680! I am very happy with the quant (49) but got a disappointing 34 on verbal. What is really disappointing is that I know I could have done better but it was as if my brain just died in the last hour. I would read a SC or CR question and it was as if the wrong answers were put with the wrong questions, or as if all the answers were correct!

It feels as if I could get 700 if I were to write the test again. So here are my questions: what is the best strategy to improve verbal? Rewatch all the interact videos? Go through the guides again? Do more questions?

Secondly, what is the best time frame to retake the test?

I know there was a blog post about mental fatigue but I can't seem to find it. I was able to relax the two days before the test but took a practice exam 3 days prior. I know this is not recomended but I had to built up confidence.

Thanks so much for all the advice.

Regards

[StaceyKoprince]

A 680 is a great score - congratulations! I know you want more, but do give yourself credit for how far you've come!! :)

Given what you describe, it's sounds like the major issue was that mental stamina, not so much the underlying verbal skills. If so, then you'd want to take the test again soon - you have to wait 31 days, so you'd want to aim for 31 to ~50 days.

Of course, you have to study something while you're trying to improve that stamina, so you might as well study verbal some more. You're also, though, going to study quant and IR. One way to have solid stamina during verbal is not to use up so much of it during the earlier sections.

So where are you spending too much mental stamina on quant and IR? There are times when I see a question and think, yeah, I can probably do that, and I probably won't go more than about 30 seconds over the average, but I'm going to blow a lot of mental stamina to do it (because it's a big weakness for me). In that case: I just don't do it. I guess and move on.

Figure out what those areas are for you on Q and IR.

Next, here's the mental fatigue article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/2011/ ... you-crazy/

Next, for verbal, I need you to go and do some analysis for me. Use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CATs (this should take you a minimum of 1 hour):
http://tinyurl.com/analyzeyourcats

Figure out your strengths and weaknesses as well as any ideas you have for what you think you should do. Then come back here and tell us; 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!)