Mid-Course Study Plan

[ben_auerbach]

Hi. I am mid-way through a Manhattan GMAT course with Ron Purewal. The course has been very helpful so far.

My first CAT exam, before I started the course, with no previous GMAT study was a 630 (39 quant and 37 verbal). However, as I have progressed in the class, I have found that my quant skills are a little weaker than my verbal skills. On the practice test itself, I got 7 out of the first 8 verbal questions right. I usually missed 600-800 level questions. On the quant section, I missed questions across the board, including some 300-500 level questions.

Given this information, I have been working to practice and improve my performance on quant questions, specifically DS problems (since they make up half of the quant section).

My three questions are:
1) Why did I score 37 on the verbal section despite answering more questions correctly than on quant? (Verbal estimated percentile was 87% while math estimated percentile was 59%)
2) How do I effectively improve my ability on math questions, since I seem to struggle more with these, particularly on speed, approach, and small arithmetic errors. I assume practice!
3) What is an effective study plan until I take my first official test? My goal school is Stanford, where the median score is 730. As of now, I plan to take the test in June, about 4 weeks after my Manhattan course ends (which is May 15).

Thanks for your time.

[StaceyKoprince]

1) the quant scoring scale is different than the verbal scoring scale - that is, what the scores mean is different, even though they both use 0 to 60 scoring scales. A 37 on verbal is a MUCH higher score than a 39 on quant - that's just how the scales are different. Basically, ignore the "2-digit scaled scores" and pay attention to percentiles - they tell you what's really going on.

Second, the # correct has very little impact on your overall score (except at the highest and lowest ends of the scale). The test is not scored based on percent correct. Take a look at The GMAT Uncovered e-book in your student center - that explains how the scoring works. (I'm not recommending that as a random thing - you will do better on the test if you understand how the scoring works, so read it. :)

2) A few things. First, you know how Ron asks you a million questions during class? He's not asking the questions just because he's a teacher. He's asking you the same questions we (the really good test takers) ask ourselves when we're studying. Pay attention and start asking yourself those same questions - you're teaching yourself how to think, and that's a major component of getting better!

Next, there are four major things: I need to know the actual content / stuff being tested, I need to know the approaches or techniques (how to do calculations, etc), I need to work within a reasonable timeframe, and I need to minimize mistakes.

The content and techniques you're getting from class and your standard study - follow the syllabus (while adjusting based on your personal strengths and weaknesses).

The timing stuff should be part of that as well, though you may need to do more (see below). The mistake stuff also comes from your study outside of class.

On timing, first use this article to analyze your recent CATs to ID any timing problems:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

Next, this article can help you hone your timing skills:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2009/12/ ... management

If you find you have some serious timing problems, talk to your teacher and you can also come back here and let us know.

For mistakes, use this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/error-log.cfm

3) For now, keep up with the course work, ask and ANSWER tons of questions in class. The more you answer, the more you're practicing how to think like a top test-taker, even if you're wrong! Who cares whether you're wrong? You're learning!

Make sure to take the 3 tests as assigned on the syllabus - under 100% official conditions, including the essays. At the end of the course, request a Post-Course Assessment (test review) from Ron. He'll tell you more about this as you get towards the end. He'll go through a couple of your exams and help you put together a post-course study plan.

Good luck!