Gmat Prep 1 and 2 fluctuating well below my target :(

[aliag916]

Hi, I got a 610 and 570 in my Gmat prep 1 and 2 and 530 in Manhattan Cat AFTER studying the Manhattan guides (Quant and CR). I have timing issues in Quant. My CR and RC in verbal is not too good. Please let me know if it's possible to reach a 650 in 3 weeks time. I am stuck at 42-44 Quant and 30-31 Verbal and looking to increase my scores.

Secondly, I enjoy SC specially the explanations provided by the Manhattan instructors in OG Archer but am not perfect at it. Is the SC 5th edition much different from the 4th? I've done the 4th once but not the 5th edition.

I also have a very difficult time concentrating on Verbal at the end and during long passages, I just can't seem to comprehend and get so many questions wrong towards the end!

Please help, thank you.

[StaceyKoprince]

So let's call your current scoring level around 600, but with timing problems that can cause you to drop 50-100 points. To get to 650, you have to fix the timing problems that are causing fluctuations (so that you don't drop), plus you also have to lift yourself another 50 or so points. That's a lot for 3 weeks - that probably isn't going to be enough time.

Timing problems are typically a 4-6 week process alone - possibly longer, depending upon how severe the timing issues are. Read these two articles and start doing what they say:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... to-win-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

The 5th edition is somewhat different, but not siginificantly different from the 4th edition. We did add material that addresses some topics that are more commonly tested now, though (such as meaning). You might want to start by looking here:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... orrection/

Finally, you're describing a stamina issue. We all have stamina issues towards the end of verbal, of course, and there's no way to get rid of that entirely. It is the end of a long test! But there are things you can do to help improve stamina - read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... you-crazy/

Also, during study sessions, plan out EVERYthing you're going to do for an entire two hours. Plan out extra, just in case you finish faster than you think. Then GO for 1 hour without stopping - no checking email, no getting something to drink, nothing. Just like the real test. Then take a 10-15 min break and GO again for a second hour without stopping. Then take a more substantial break (at least an hour) to rest your brain before you study more. (Don't study for 4 hours straight. Studying is actually MORE tiring than taking the test because you're trying to create new memories, not just recall already-made memories.)

[aliag916]

Thanks a lot Stacey! I just saw your reply and will definitely work on your suggestions. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to take the test or I'll miss the deadlines.

Are there any specific chapters in the SC 5th edition I can focus on for new material or is the new stuff spread out in the whole book. I think this is the only area I can improve upon in Verbal. I am not too confident with CR and RC.

I am easily distracted so will right away try out the non stop 2 hour study sessions with a break after each hour. I sure hope they provide ear plugs at the center!

I've taken the Manhattan test. Score 620 (Q 45, V 31). I saw 2 repeat RC passages. Rushed through the last 5 to 7 questions in Quant. Any words of advice are welcome.

Thanks again!
Alia

[StaceyKoprince]

Okay, do what you can in the time you have. :) Start on that timing stuff right away.

CR in general has changed substantially. The 4 most common CR types are Find the Assumption, Strengthen, Weaken, and Inference, so concentrate on those.

In SC, the issue of meaning can cross modifiers, parallelism and comparisons (as well as other areas, such as verb tense), so there you really do have to look through more / most areas. Those first three grammar areas, though, are among the most commonly tested.

For RC:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... p-passage/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... c-passage/

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -passages/

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... prehension
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/11/ ... il-problem
RC: http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/analyze-RC-question.cfm