How should I view the following? Moving forward. Advice PLZ!

[happy student]

I just finished my 2nd CAT exam (I am right at the end of week 6 in my 9 week self study + recorded classes). I scored a V:31 Q:44 - 610 today.

My first CAT exam, 7 weeks ago, was V:34 Q: 39 - 600.

I was hoping to get a 640-660 this time around, closer to half of my goal of 700.

I have been doing a more than decent job studying and I do not skip anything on my organizer. I apply more pressure on myself as I get closer to test day (end of Sept).

I feel as if I cannot draw too many conclusions right now (or just don't know which ones to draw). Yes, I improved overall (good gains in quant and a drop in verbal) however, I want to think this practice test was more about applying what I have learned from the courses for the first time. If this is the case, I will cut myself some slack and realize I obviously won't be as smooth when I take exams 3-6.

I didn't feel good about my timing on quant, pretty much guessed on the last 5 (and apparently I did a good job guessing after reviewing my test but whatever). I felt less rushed and better about Verbal (like when I first took the test) but I believe that hurt me because I clearly didn't do as well as I thought I was going to do (in fact I did worse). I did write my skulls and my T charts for RC and CR but felt like my T charts did nothing for me. Prob just need to practice more CR.

So, I am asking anyone with the time or anyone who can relate to where I am at now. What wisdom do you have for me? To start, I am thinking its time to use one of those 30 minute sessions with a tutor. Clearly, continuing with my course work is a must but deep down in side, I keep hearing this voice say "just do practice questions and practice tests". I tell that voice to "Hang tight for 3 more weeks. We are getting there soon enough."

Thanks for listening and I hope to get some good insight.

[StaceyKoprince]

Improvements while studying are not linear; many people do not see much of an improvement on a test taken halfway through the course.

You are correct that this second test is primarily about practicing what you have learned. It's also about diagnosing what issues you're still having on things you've already covered so that you can do something about those issues. Perhaps you feel you've learned Number Properties well, but you realize on the test that you missed all of the exponents and roots questions. Maybe you also realize that you're spending too much time on your initial passage readthrough on RC. Those two topics have already been covered in class, but you need to go back and review - and the work you need to do is different (accuracy vs. timing).

I keep hearing this voice say "just do practice questions and practice tests". I tell that voice to "Hang tight for 3 more weeks. We are getting there soon enough."

Stand strong! Don't listen to this voice! Maybe 15% of your learning comes while you're *doing* practice questions. 85% of your learning comes from your review and analysis of your own work.

You need to read the below two articles and do the analysis described.

http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/09/23 ... tice-tests

http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/10/09 ... ce-problem

If you would like, come back and share your test analysis here; with more detail, we can give you better advice.

You mentioned struggling a bit with CR; this article might help:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/05/ ... -reasoning

Finally, yes, go sign up for office hours RIGHT NOW. Office hours sessions are "use them or lose them." Every week that you don't use it, you lose it forever. Right now. Go.
:)

[happy student]

Stacey,

Thanks for your input. I will get my behind into office hours asap. I will want to focus on the instructor getting me prepped for the next 6-7 weeks of studying and going over the two practice tests I have already taken. Your articles are great resources and are giving me an idea of how I will focus my efforts after (and a little before) I finish up weeks 7-9 of the self-study. It seems effective to have someone like an instructor help me break this all down.

Ideally, I will want to finish weeks 7-9 of self study then focus on the areas I am most weak, practicing my timing strategies and push push push towards to big day. I will use go back to an instructor 2-3 weeks before I sit for the test at the end of Sept. for a final analysis of my work.

What do you think of this plan?

[StaceyKoprince]

Ah, sorry, I just realized you are doing self-study, not the "live" course. So your office hours aren't "use them or lose them" - that's only for people in the live course. Sorry about that!

But that doesn't change my advice to sign up for office hours right away. :) And, yes, I think your general plan is a good one in general, except for one thing: don't focus ONLY on your weaknesses. You can also get better in your areas of strength and you don't want to completely leave those behind. You'll likely spend more time on weaknesses, of course, but don't spend all of your time that way!

And continue to check back in here, let us know how things are going, and let us know when you may need some advice. :)