Need advise for the next level

[herogmat]

Hi,

I have been taking the MGMT tests in one week interval. So far I have given 4 tests. I am preparing and learning from the mistakes during the week. However, after one months of this process I am seeing little improvement in my score. My score is hovering around 650 to 680 range. From the analysis I can see that the problem is with the 650 - 700 range questions. I am looking for a score arond 700+ (720-730) . You advise about how can I improve my score from here will be really helpful. Do I need to practice only high difficulty level questions ? Any source of sample questions or tests are also welcome.
Assessment :


http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxJ4Sw0

Result Stat :

http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqtW0Li

Please help

[StaceyKoprince]

First, stop taking tests every week. :)

CAT exams are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. The actual act of just taking the exam is NOT so useful for improving. It's what you do with the test results / between tests that helps you to improve.

The only time you should be taking tests once a week is in the last 2 to 3 weeks before the real test. Before that, you need to make significant progress before you think about taking a test again - usually, that takes 2 to 4 weeks.

You don't mention what you are using to learn how to get better at these questions. What books or other resources are you using? (See the below article for ideas about what to use.)

You need to develop a more specific study plan; this article can help:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/02/09/developing-a-study-plan

Here are some articles that will help you with evaluating your tests and analyzing practice problems:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/09/23/evaluating-your-practice-tests
http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/10/09/how-to-analyze-a-practice-problem

Do I need to practice only high difficulty level questions ?

No, actually. You need to practice all levels - the way you get better at 700 level problems is by truly mastering 650 level problems, such that you can use what you learned from the 650-levels to figure out how to do the 700s. And you can learn a ton about how to get better at higher levels by really analyzing problems that you already know how to do (see the "How to Analyze a Practice Problem" article, above).

[herogmat]

Thanks Stacey. Religiously following your advise :-) Will keep posted about the progress. Just thinking , if gmatfocus pratice would be worth investing ? At what condition people should think of using gmat focus ? Any guidance will be appreciated.

[StaceyKoprince]

I think GMATFocus is a good product, yes. Because it mixes all math together, I would save it for after you've gotten through all of the material you're studying at least once; then you can use GMATFocus as good adaptive "practice sections" to test yourself and see where you still need more work.

[herogmat]

Hi Stacey,
Followed your advise. After few weeks of preparation , I took the next two available GMAT test. However, my scores dropped significantly. I can realize that I have to improve my verbal skills to reach to my target score. Meanwhile, I have finished up all CATs.
Will you please be able to advise :
1. How to analyzed why suddenly the score is dropping - mainly in verbal ?
Manhattan Practice test - 5 : 44(quant score),36(verbal score), 660 (Total)
Manhattan Practice test - 6:47(quant score),31(verbal score), 640(Total)
2. After I prepare for next few weeks to address my weak areas, what will be the best way to utilize CATs ?

[StaceyKoprince]

For the first issue, follow the steps in this article (for verbal only, obviously!):

http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/10/26 ... went-wrong

For the second, you can still take both GMATPrep and MGMAT CATs with repeats as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats.

First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks vaguely familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have.

Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.

For your first several re-takes on MGMAT or your first re-take on GMATPrep, you aren't likely to see that many repeated questions that you actually remember well. Most people report recognizing just a few.

[herogmat]

Hi Stacey, thanks for your advise . I went through the article. I will ponder over it. Timing is a problem for me. Any good article can you please suggest to keep control of timing for the verbal section ?

[StaceyKoprince]

This article talks about timing in general - both how to develop good timing skills and what kind of timing benchmarks to use:

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2009/12/ ... management