I took the third cat (a complete and realistic simulation with AWA) and I scored 36 in verbal.
However, looking at the problem list of my test, I noted that I have always been between 87 percentile to 91 and then, in the last five question I made 4 mistakes that cause me to drop to 80 percentile because I started to fell tired.
Moreover the average difficult of the question that I made correct are:
SC T R W
600 - 700 3 3 0 100% 1:01 NA
700 - 800 12 3 9 25% 1:20 1:20
RC
500 - 600 1 1 0 100% 0:28 NA
600 - 700 3 3 0 100% 1:20 NA
700 - 800 8 5 3 63% 2:19 4:37
CR
500 - 600 1 1 0 100% 1:50 NA
600 - 700 1 0 1 0% NA 1:37
700 - 800 12 7 5 58% 1:42 2:05
It is reasonable exepct to score in the 90 percentile once I have improved my stamina?
I will take the test on the 28th of July and I plan to take several CAT
P.S.
I have been studyng for the Gmat from the begining of June and so I feel there are few improvement that i can make except
boosting my stamina.
I am not an english native speaker and I have never spent any time abroad.
GMAT Forum
10 postsPage 1 of 1
- paolo.vicedomini
- Students
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 8:00 pm
- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 9361
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
- Location: Montreal
Re: Improve verbal score
Your numbers look quite good with the exception of 700+ SC questions. Did those happen to be the last 3 or 4 that you're talking about? Or is there a broader SC weakness as well that needs to be addressed?
Stamina can certainly be an issue as well, so yes, you do need to make sure that you can maintain your performance until the end. Are there any timing issues at all? Are you having to work more quickly than normal, even a little bit, at the end? If you have to work even 15 or 20 seconds faster than normal on each of the last few questions, that's going to cause more careless mistakes than usual (especially when coupled with fatigue at that point!).
Have you seen the below article yet? If not, use it to analyze your results even further:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/
If you do discover timing problems, then read this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... anagement/
Next, one big thing to add to your study (this is for anyone who's in about the 80th percentile range and is looking to push into the 90s): analyzing answers.
When reviewing problems, ask yourself:
1) why was the wrong answer so tempting? why did it look like it might be right? (be as explicit as possible; also, now you know this is not a good reason to pick an answer)
2) why was it actually wrong? what specific words indicate that it is wrong and how did I overlook those clues the first time?
3) why did the right answer seem wrong? what made it so tempting to cross off the right answer? why were those things actually okay; what was my error in thinking that they were wrong? (also, now you know that this is not a good reason to eliminate an answer)
4) why was it actually right?
You can use the above even when you get the question right; you can still learn a lot about traps by asking yourself which wrong answer is the most tempting and why, or why someone would be tempted to eliminate the right answer.
Next, you don't mention your goal score, but you do say that you're taking the test 10 days from now. In general, your score on a practice test taken about 7 to 10 days before the real test is roughly what to expect on the real test (assuming you take the practice test under 100% official conditions, including essays). If you're not in range now, then you may need to consider postponing your test or lowering your goal score.
Stamina can certainly be an issue as well, so yes, you do need to make sure that you can maintain your performance until the end. Are there any timing issues at all? Are you having to work more quickly than normal, even a little bit, at the end? If you have to work even 15 or 20 seconds faster than normal on each of the last few questions, that's going to cause more careless mistakes than usual (especially when coupled with fatigue at that point!).
Have you seen the below article yet? If not, use it to analyze your results even further:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/
If you do discover timing problems, then read this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... anagement/
Next, one big thing to add to your study (this is for anyone who's in about the 80th percentile range and is looking to push into the 90s): analyzing answers.
When reviewing problems, ask yourself:
1) why was the wrong answer so tempting? why did it look like it might be right? (be as explicit as possible; also, now you know this is not a good reason to pick an answer)
2) why was it actually wrong? what specific words indicate that it is wrong and how did I overlook those clues the first time?
3) why did the right answer seem wrong? what made it so tempting to cross off the right answer? why were those things actually okay; what was my error in thinking that they were wrong? (also, now you know that this is not a good reason to eliminate an answer)
4) why was it actually right?
You can use the above even when you get the question right; you can still learn a lot about traps by asking yourself which wrong answer is the most tempting and why, or why someone would be tempted to eliminate the right answer.
Next, you don't mention your goal score, but you do say that you're taking the test 10 days from now. In general, your score on a practice test taken about 7 to 10 days before the real test is roughly what to expect on the real test (assuming you take the practice test under 100% official conditions, including essays). If you're not in range now, then you may need to consider postponing your test or lowering your goal score.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
- paolo.vicedomini
- Students
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 8:00 pm
Re: Improve verbal score
Hi Stacey, thank you for your answer
Yes there were 6 SC in the last 8 questions.
Actally I believe That SC was my strong point but I struggle with the idiomatic expression.
Yes there were also a time problem with RC; I spent too much on this section and then I rushed in the last question. After reading the instructions to analyze the CAT I decided to address this problem by implementing a new strategy:
Read the whole passage and, after each paragraph, summarize the content in my mind but without taking notes that steal too much time. Even if I will be a litle bit less accurate I should save time that I will spent on my strong points.
To improve my stamina I took some cats( with AWA ,100% official conditions and implementing the new RC strategy) after this one:
15/7 800score 690(43,41)
16/7 800score 750(49,42)
17/7 800score 750(49,42)
19/7 GMATprep1 740(50,40) first attempt
And I paln to take (with review on the other days):
21 m4
23 M5
25 M6
26 GMAT PREP 2
it will be enough to improve my stamina allowing me to work at my best throughout the whole test?
My goal score is the range 710-730 and I scored 680(47 36) on the third manathan cat. I already took the GMAT in Jennuary and I scored 660(48,31) studyng for just two weeks and with much less english expertise than what I have now. Neverthless on that time I skept the AWA! I scored 630(45,32) on the first manathan cat( without AWA) that I took the day before such test.
Since I have seen in other posts that you asked other students to share their analysis I post the mine:
SC:
I am good with time R: 1:20 W: 1:20
But the problem is the accuracy, I believe that there are two main reason:
Fatigue in the last questions
Wrong approach:
I fell SC is the verbal area in which I am more able to recall similar previous problem and to determine what to do very quickly.
The problem is that, on the hardest question, when the test meker change a little bit the sentence, for example a word that is implicit, I pick the answer relying more on my poor grammar and idiom knowledge rather tan trusting the solution that I recognized.
To improve my performance I planned to do:
Read good english material( Financial times, BBC) to make the hear to the english idiomatic expression
Pick the right answer relyng on my strength rather tahn on my wekness.
CR
My time is quite good R: 1:43 W 2:05
My accuracy is decent 58% on the 700-800 pool.
Looking to each kind of question I do not fell to have neiter strength nor weakness.
My main problems are:
Sometimes I fail to structure well the argument, and so I do not understand properly the conclusion and consequentielly pick the wrong answer.
Other times, due to fatigue and time pressure, I fail to unserstand what the argument is saying and so I randomly guess.
To improve in this section are I planned to:
Finetune my hear reviewing several times the questions of the OG trying to understand the logic behind the answers and trying to structure each argument in the proper way.
RC
The new strategy seems to work, on the GMAT PREP of today I did not make any mistake on the RC quetion. But I want to test it on the Manathan RC paasages that seem to be a little bit tougher.
Finally, just a question: the average scores of my correct answer are:
PS 730
DS 710
SC 700
CR 730
RC 690
However my score is 680. It is just a coincidence or I can Infer something from that?
Yes there were 6 SC in the last 8 questions.
Actally I believe That SC was my strong point but I struggle with the idiomatic expression.
Yes there were also a time problem with RC; I spent too much on this section and then I rushed in the last question. After reading the instructions to analyze the CAT I decided to address this problem by implementing a new strategy:
Read the whole passage and, after each paragraph, summarize the content in my mind but without taking notes that steal too much time. Even if I will be a litle bit less accurate I should save time that I will spent on my strong points.
To improve my stamina I took some cats( with AWA ,100% official conditions and implementing the new RC strategy) after this one:
15/7 800score 690(43,41)
16/7 800score 750(49,42)
17/7 800score 750(49,42)
19/7 GMATprep1 740(50,40) first attempt
And I paln to take (with review on the other days):
21 m4
23 M5
25 M6
26 GMAT PREP 2
it will be enough to improve my stamina allowing me to work at my best throughout the whole test?
My goal score is the range 710-730 and I scored 680(47 36) on the third manathan cat. I already took the GMAT in Jennuary and I scored 660(48,31) studyng for just two weeks and with much less english expertise than what I have now. Neverthless on that time I skept the AWA! I scored 630(45,32) on the first manathan cat( without AWA) that I took the day before such test.
Since I have seen in other posts that you asked other students to share their analysis I post the mine:
SC:
I am good with time R: 1:20 W: 1:20
But the problem is the accuracy, I believe that there are two main reason:
Fatigue in the last questions
Wrong approach:
I fell SC is the verbal area in which I am more able to recall similar previous problem and to determine what to do very quickly.
The problem is that, on the hardest question, when the test meker change a little bit the sentence, for example a word that is implicit, I pick the answer relying more on my poor grammar and idiom knowledge rather tan trusting the solution that I recognized.
To improve my performance I planned to do:
Read good english material( Financial times, BBC) to make the hear to the english idiomatic expression
Pick the right answer relyng on my strength rather tahn on my wekness.
CR
My time is quite good R: 1:43 W 2:05
My accuracy is decent 58% on the 700-800 pool.
Looking to each kind of question I do not fell to have neiter strength nor weakness.
My main problems are:
Sometimes I fail to structure well the argument, and so I do not understand properly the conclusion and consequentielly pick the wrong answer.
Other times, due to fatigue and time pressure, I fail to unserstand what the argument is saying and so I randomly guess.
To improve in this section are I planned to:
Finetune my hear reviewing several times the questions of the OG trying to understand the logic behind the answers and trying to structure each argument in the proper way.
RC
The new strategy seems to work, on the GMAT PREP of today I did not make any mistake on the RC quetion. But I want to test it on the Manathan RC paasages that seem to be a little bit tougher.
Finally, just a question: the average scores of my correct answer are:
PS 730
DS 710
SC 700
CR 730
RC 690
However my score is 680. It is just a coincidence or I can Infer something from that?
- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 9361
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
- Location: Montreal
Re: Improve verbal score
Wait! I usually answer these as I read, in order, but I'm coming up to the top to say something important: DON'T TAKE A CAT EVERY DAY (or every other day). That's like training for a marathon by running a marathon every day - you just tire yourself out!
Take a CAT once a week. On other days, set up a 2 hour study session by planning EVERYthing you'll do in advance. Then study for 2 hours straight with one 10-minute break in the middle. I know this is shorter than a test, but studying is actually more tiring than taking a test. (When you're studying, you're trying to make new memories and learn things. When you're taking a test, you're just trying to remember stuff - that's easier.)
* * *
Yes, idioms are very difficult for non-native speakers. I am terrible with idioms in French.
Do you mean you rushed the last RC question? Or do you mean you had to rush on the questions at the end of the section because of the extra time you spent on RC? If the latter, then that's why your score dropped at the end - you were rushing. (Fatigue may also have been a factor, but rushing is an even bigger factor!)
I'm going to amend this a bit. Read the first sentence or two of a paragraph; that tells you what that paragraph is about. Jot down a VERY short note (5-6 words max) about that paragraph. Read the rest of the paragraph much more quickly, without taking any notes, UNLESS you see a big "change of direction" word like however, but, yet, etc. If there's a big change of direction that gives another big idea, note that idea down too.
Then go to the next paragraph and so on. So DO take notes on "big ideas" but do NOT take notes on details. Don't even read the details very carefully - you might not get questions about them! (And, if you do, you can come back and read carefully later.)
[Okay, this is where I got to your comments about the CATs and I answered that up at the top.]
For SC, do you have our SC Strategy Guide? I don't normally actively tell people to buy one of our products, but honestly, our SC Guide is the best. :) Don't just take my word for it - ask your fellow students. In particular, you mention struggling when the questions get really tricky, and that's where the grammar lessons in our SC guide will really help you.
Re: your average scores vs. your overall score - yes, that means your score is dropping towards the end of the section. Your final score is basically whatever level you're at when the test ends (because the test is recalculating your score after every question). So we do want to fix that drop, and yes, stamina is likely a factor. I do think you need to take a look at the timing as well, from what you described - even having to work 15 or 20 seconds faster than usual can cause you to make mistakes on things you can normally get right, especially when you're already tired.
Also, for both CR and SC (and RC), start doing what I described in my last post with respect to analyzing the answer choices (why a wrong one is tempting, etc.).
Take a CAT once a week. On other days, set up a 2 hour study session by planning EVERYthing you'll do in advance. Then study for 2 hours straight with one 10-minute break in the middle. I know this is shorter than a test, but studying is actually more tiring than taking a test. (When you're studying, you're trying to make new memories and learn things. When you're taking a test, you're just trying to remember stuff - that's easier.)
* * *
Yes, idioms are very difficult for non-native speakers. I am terrible with idioms in French.
Yes there were also a time problem with RC; I spent too much on this section and then I rushed in the last question.
Do you mean you rushed the last RC question? Or do you mean you had to rush on the questions at the end of the section because of the extra time you spent on RC? If the latter, then that's why your score dropped at the end - you were rushing. (Fatigue may also have been a factor, but rushing is an even bigger factor!)
Read the whole passage and, after each paragraph, summarize the content in my mind but without taking notes that steal too much time.
I'm going to amend this a bit. Read the first sentence or two of a paragraph; that tells you what that paragraph is about. Jot down a VERY short note (5-6 words max) about that paragraph. Read the rest of the paragraph much more quickly, without taking any notes, UNLESS you see a big "change of direction" word like however, but, yet, etc. If there's a big change of direction that gives another big idea, note that idea down too.
Then go to the next paragraph and so on. So DO take notes on "big ideas" but do NOT take notes on details. Don't even read the details very carefully - you might not get questions about them! (And, if you do, you can come back and read carefully later.)
[Okay, this is where I got to your comments about the CATs and I answered that up at the top.]
For SC, do you have our SC Strategy Guide? I don't normally actively tell people to buy one of our products, but honestly, our SC Guide is the best. :) Don't just take my word for it - ask your fellow students. In particular, you mention struggling when the questions get really tricky, and that's where the grammar lessons in our SC guide will really help you.
Re: your average scores vs. your overall score - yes, that means your score is dropping towards the end of the section. Your final score is basically whatever level you're at when the test ends (because the test is recalculating your score after every question). So we do want to fix that drop, and yes, stamina is likely a factor. I do think you need to take a look at the timing as well, from what you described - even having to work 15 or 20 seconds faster than usual can cause you to make mistakes on things you can normally get right, especially when you're already tired.
Also, for both CR and SC (and RC), start doing what I described in my last post with respect to analyzing the answer choices (why a wrong one is tempting, etc.).
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
- paolo.vicedomini
- Students
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 8:00 pm
Re: Improve verbal score
Hi Stacey,
I want just to thank you for your precious advices, especcially I appreciate the raccomandation to do not take so many Cats before the exam. This advice worked because I arrived to the exam rest and I had no problems with stamina.
I want just to thank you for your precious advices, especcially I appreciate the raccomandation to do not take so many Cats before the exam. This advice worked because I arrived to the exam rest and I had no problems with stamina.
- jnelson0612
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 2664
- Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:57 am
- emmawllmsn
- Forum Guests
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:58 pm
Re: Improve verbal score
Hello!
Thanks you have provided valuable information. I am doing Sat preparation through online study material of [deleted by Stacey; see below]. As a Starter what would you recommend me, I want to improve my verbal score.
Thanks,
Emma
Thanks you have provided valuable information. I am doing Sat preparation through online study material of [deleted by Stacey; see below]. As a Starter what would you recommend me, I want to improve my verbal score.
Thanks,
Emma
- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 9361
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
- Location: Montreal
Re: Improve verbal score
Paolo - I'm glad to hear it! If you feel comfortable sharing, let us know how the test went.
Emma - we do GMAT preparation only, not SAT. I'd recommend that you seek advice from those who specialize in SAT preparation. Good luck!
Emma - we do GMAT preparation only, not SAT. I'd recommend that you seek advice from those who specialize in SAT preparation. Good luck!
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
- paolo.vicedomini
- Students
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 8:00 pm
Re: Improve verbal score
Hi Stacey,
Sorry for my late response, but I am currently an exchange student and so I had a lot of things to do! anyway my GMAT score is very good
750 q 50 v 41 AWA 4.5
Again, thank you so much for your help!
Sorry for my late response, but I am currently an exchange student and so I had a lot of things to do! anyway my GMAT score is very good
750 q 50 v 41 AWA 4.5
Again, thank you so much for your help!
- StaceyKoprince
- ManhattanGMAT Staff
- Posts: 9361
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
- Location: Montreal
Re: Improve verbal score
Wow, Paolo, that's fantastic - congratulations!! I hope school is going well!
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep
10 posts Page 1 of 1