Help needed in verbal

[StaceyKoprince]

Thanks for that link - I'll check it out!

Think of the time you spend during the test as money that you have to invest in your retirement account. You aren't just going to indiscriminately assign an equal amount of money to 37 different (or 41 different) funds or stocks. You're going to evaluate the opportunities and some are going to cause you to say, "I don't think so!" - either right away or after you've put some money in but you don't like the way things are going.

Be jealous of your time. It's valuable. Don't just go giving it away because someone (a question) demands that you give it.

[Binit]

Hi Stacey,

I was about to post you about my performance in the mock CATs but I wasn't doing well. So, I waited another week and wrote another mock with some 'extra' prep on verbal, my main weakness. But after 3 mocks I am still scoring 28-30 in verbal. In last 3 CATs I scored 630/48/28, 650/49/30 and 630/48/28. So, finally I am roughly on a 640 plateau, not at all improving with my regular verbal workouts.

Originally, I planned to write test in another month (mid Dec) and I have enough reasons to panic. But, then I have come across this --> http://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog/ ... rehension/
I loved the article and felt as if it is written for me. If u ask me to describe my shortcomings in verbal in one word. I think I would say, 'comprehension' or 'fear', which results from the former, possibly.

So, the main point is: post this article I started believing strongly that I should actually work on my 'fear' and that may mean to postpone the test. It's not only about GMAT, it would matter a lot in the MBA ahead. I really need your opinion on this.

There may be other reasons for my setback in verbal but I am not really able to find out. Waiting for your suggestions.

Thanks a lot,

Binit.

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm glad you found that article helpful!

I completely agree that your reading comprehension skills are crucial for your MBA, not just the GMAT. This is one of the few "hard" skills tested by the GMAT that you actually do need in b-school (unlike, say, geometry!). So if you feel that this is a significant stumbling block for you, then I agree that you should seriously consider taking a step back from the test for a while to concentrate more on pure reading comprehension - not just for the GMAT but for your eventual academic work. You will carry these issues with you to b-school - which is extremely expensive. You definitely want to make sure you're prepared to make the most out of school!

What do you think?

[Binit]

Exactly!

I think it is better to invest time now and resolve these critical issues, as far as possible, rather than to invest big money and just hope for better. Although as I planned earlier, I don't have too much of time (especially because I am aging ) and I need to get admitted in 2016, but, I am not doing great on my mocks anyway.

Further, I noticed that the main reason behind this problem may be a cultural gap or something. I found I have problem understanding a Hollywood movie (especially romantic, comedy or drama ones) when there are no subtitles and I wasn't much aware of this because I rarely watch movies or TV series. I am a bad bad reader, never completed a novel in my life (seriously, Angels and Demons took me couple of months ). I never even read newspapers (just some stock market news on Google Finance is what I read regularly). I know I appear a moron, but it doesn't matter, because I have got to solve the BIG issue. Please suggest me something that would help.

I have already started reading extensively from the sources u provided and as per the schedule u suggested on that article. I am feeling better from the first day and trying to devote more time to reading. I am carrying on the practice till the time u reply.

Thanks a lot,

Binit.

[StaceyKoprince]

Start reading novels! And non-fiction. And longer / feature articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post (or similar). Just start reading.

I'm a fan of the authors Doris Lessing (fiction), John McPhee (non-fiction), Pearl Buck (fiction), William Manchester (non-fiction), Thornton Wilder (fiction). I also love Agatha Christie (mystery novelist) - the books are on the shorter side and a bit "lighter," but she's always grammatically correct and on the somewhat more formal side, writing-wise, so it's good practice for language skills.

Find a TV series that sounds interesting to you and start watching it. Don't use subtitles, but find a website that provides summaries (or "recaps") of the episodes for that show (I like . You can check your understanding at any point in the episode or once it's all over.

I'm a fan of the recap site Television Without Pity (TWoP), which has closed down, unfortunately, but an archive of their recaps can be found here: http://www.brilliantbutcancelled.com/shows/

The shows can have very long recaps - an hour-long show could be 8 to 12 pages of text- but they usually offer a "recaplet" summary, just 3-5 paragraphs of the main points. I'd use the recaplets. The full recaps include a lot of commentary on the show, as well as the plot points themselves.

Or, if the show that you want to watch isn't on TWoP, just google the show's title with the word recap and you'll find something!

[Binit]

Thanks a lot for the detailed suggestion, Stacey. I started reading right after we talked about it and I have almost finished a novel - Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse (short but great language). I am reading NyTimes, UC Magazine, HBR, and Scientific American daily. I am definitely feeling more confident than ever. Although it is not yet evident on my verbal performance, but I am happier.
I am not finding enough time for TV series yet, so just watching Two-and-a-half-men sometimes without a recap (I understand everything). Would that be any help? I ll start some non-fiction just after Siddhartha.
Agatha Christie is little too tough for me, but I started MOTOE (Murder on the Orient Express). Let's see. I ll update u on my progress time to time.

Thanks so much

P.S. I have got 'The Book of Mirdad' by Mikhail Naimy and 'heard' it's one of the greatest books ever written. It's too artistic, so I kept it for later. U may consider reading it, if u haven't already.

[StaceyKoprince]

Thanks for the suggestion! I haven't heard of that book.

I'm so glad that you're already feeling more confident even if your test performance hasn't changed much yet. It takes time - you'll get there eventually. And, as we talked about before, this will really help with grad school in general.

Keep me posted!