how to improve verbal score

[Venkata]

I have given GMAT and got 640(Q50 V26). I want to retake GMAT. I need to improve verbal score. Last time, for my earlier GMAT, i have studied thoroughly OG11, GMAT verbal, manhattan, kaplan (like most ppl who got 700+) . Im reading other general books by american authors (apart from the above). Still i got very less score in verbal.

what should i do/read to improve my verbal score? Please suggest ways to improve verbal score.

[StaceyKoprince]

If you haven't yet gotten the score that you want, then you're not done with the OG material. You didn't learn everything that you can learn from the real questions. The thing that helps you to improve is not so much just doing lots of questions - it's analyzing the questions and really understanding how they're put together.

Did you study on your own last time? You may need to work with someone else this time, because you'll need to change what you did the last time around. That might mean taking a course / working with a tutor, or finding someone else who wants to take the test and is very good at verbal. I notice that your math score is excellent, so if you can find someone who's weak in math but good in verbal, you could help each other.

[venkata]

thank you very much

what type of course do i need to undertake? i mean what must be the course content. So that i can select tutor or course appropriately.

[StaceyKoprince]

Because your math score is fantastic already, you really only need verbal work. The most efficient way to get that done is with a private tutor, but private tutoring is MUCH more expensive than taking a class, so you'll have to decide whether the extra expense is worth it.

Most companies have classes that run for around 2 months (ours run 9 weeks) and most also mix math and verbal (as our classes do), so it's tough to do a class just for verbal. You should check out the web sites of other prep companies to see if you can get a verbal-only class. If you can, you'll want a course that covers EVERYthing for verbal, thoroughly. Make sure the program uses OG (the Official Guide books - with real past test questions). Alternatively, you could take a regular course even though you don't really need the math - I've had people do that before.

A private tutor would work only on the things that you want to do, so the sessions would be entirely customized based on your weaknesses - more efficient, but more expensive. If you want to go this route, specifically ask for someone who is extra-good in verbal (all teachers should be very good in both math and verbal, but it doesn't hurt to ask!). Find a program that doesn't force you to buy a big package of hours - you should be able to buy as many, or as few, as you want. (You'll probably get a discount if you do buy a package of hours, but you shouldn't be forced to do so.) The tutor should have at least 2 years of experience teaching the GMAT regularly.

Before you meet with the tutor for the first time, take a practice test using that company's software, so that the tutor can review your work easily. S/he should use part of the first session to determine your weaknesses and ask about your goals such that the two of you can develop a good gameplan for working together. (At my company, for anyone who buys a certain number of hours, we are required to write up a gameplan and submit it to our Directors of Instruction after the first meeting.)

[Aspire]

Hi All,

I have take GMAT 3 times with scores as follows:
590(q46,v27)
620(q42,v34)
660(q49,v32)

Do u think i should take the GMAT again? I am Indian student and looking for good B-schools in Asia/US.
My profile is as below:
Work ex: 33 months(17 in IT, 16 months in Financial risk management consulting)
International work ex for 7-8 months.

Is taking GMAT 4 times taken negatively by B-Schools?
I am targeting bschools like ISB?

[mdinerstein]

Hi Aspire,

I believe that studying for a long stretch of time and then taking the exam once again will make you a more attractive candidate to the schools you wish to apply to. Your work experience seems pretty solid, but your score is borderline for Top 20 schools. Because taking it a fourth time will NOT have a negative impact on your application, then you really have nothing to lose.

I would recommend analyzing your performance on each real test and all of your practice tests and try to zero in on the specific weaknesses that prevent you from scoring higher. Then, be sure to practice these questions types in the coming months before taking the exam one more time in the September / October range. You want to be prepared to knock it out of the park this time around.

Best,

Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
800-576-4628
212-721-7400

[StaceyKoprince]

Also, make sure to research what the schools expect - different programs have different statistics. Your 660 might already be good enough for the schools to which you want to apply!