Plateaued with 4 weeks to go. What should be my plan?

[SamC181]

Timeline:
6/22 - GMATPrep Practice Exam 1 610 (Q40/V34)
7/7 - MGMAT CAT1 580 (Q38/V31)
7/8 - Started MGMAT Interact (online self-guided program)
9/14 - MGMAT CAT2 640 (Q42/V35)
9/26 - Completed MGMAT Interact
9/27 - MGMAT CAT3 640 (Q41/V36)
10/8 - MGMAT Office Hours (2-Week Game Plan determined)
10/17 - MGMAT CAT4 630 (Q42/V34)
10/25 - GMAT Test Day - Rescheduled to 11/17

I am hoping for some help determining my 4-Week Game Plan over the next 4 weeks leading up to my exam. I know the program helped me a lot with the fundamentals and taught me so many strategies but I am not seeing the results I expected. My target is a 740 which in Jun/Jul I thought was within reach but now I am starting to doubt myself.

What should I do?

[StaceyKoprince]

I'll need some more data to advise you better. The one thing I can say now is that you're looking for a 100+ point jump in about one month. That is...very ambitious. Most people would not be able to make that kind of leap in that timeframe.

Are you applying this year? What are the deadlines?

Okay, first, read these two articles:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

Think about how what you've been doing does and doesn't match up with that and how you may need to change your approach accordingly.
Then, use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CATs (this should take you a minimum of 1 hour):
http://tinyurl.com/analyzeyourcats

(Based on the dates you gave me, I'd use your last two CATs.)

Based on all of that, figure out your strengths and weaknesses as well as any ideas you have for what you think you should do. Then come back here and tell us; we'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

[SamC181]

Stacy,

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes, at this point the goal seems very ambitious. I have one application deadline in December and one in January.

I reviewed the last two CAT's per your recommendation and here are my takeaways:

PS problems, especially any number properties, are taking up 30-60 seconds more than target while only scoring at 17% (600-700) and 33% (700-800).

DS problems are always at target or 30 seconds under. I believe I am playing "catch-up" here due to PS and could spend some more time to ensure right answers 47% (600-700) and 38% (700-800)

SC I am not taking enough time at all. I finish 30-60 seconds ahead of target while scoring only 50% overall correct. There is no excuse since I am on target or just under for timing in other areas of Verbal.

While creating my buckets, I have found it difficult to determine what should be in #3 instead of #2. I find that I am lumping most into #2.

#1 - Algebra (quad and inequalities), Geo (triangles), CR (strengthen/weaken)
#2 - Algebra (exponents), Geo (polygons), RC (inference), CR (conclusion and evaluate argument), SC (modifiers and idioms)
#3 - NP (divisibility and primes, combinatrics, probability, and consecutive integers)

Any thoughts on how I should proceed? I am putting in the work but I just don't know if I have been working the right plan.


Thanks again,

Sam

[SamC181]

Should I send some data or paste it in the thread?

[StaceyKoprince]

Last question first: I'm not sure whether data will paste properly in the thread - I think you'd have to type in any data you want me to have. (But, ideally, it won't be a ton...if you've analyzed it well. :)

Yes, you've got a timing issue: you're sacrificing DS in order to spend too long on PS problems that you're getting wrong anyway. The first task is just to be aware of this so that you are less tempted to go over on PS in the future. Start cutting yourself off.

Next, you're actually doing better on DS even with less time! That means:
(1) DS is a strength. Take advantage of that. Don't rush and open yourself up to careless mistakes on strengths.
(2) You are stronger with the math theory / rules / knowledge, but are struggling more with the actual computation.

For #2, there are two levels of things to practice. The first is the fundamentals: the kinds of things that show up in our Foundations of Math book (how to translate story problems, how to manipulate equations, exponent and root rules, moving between fractions, decimals, and percents, and so on). If you have any weaknesses in those areas, start doing some drills to get your computation skills up to speed.

The second is alternative solution methods: things that work on standardized tests but that you didn't learn in school math classes. Things like this:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... er-part-1/

and this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ms-part-1/

If you have access to our GMAT Navigator program, look up our solutions to OG problems. We'll show you the most efficient way. :)

SC - yes, going too fast can be just as problematic! You're much more likely to make careless mistakes. Use this to help you develop a consistent SC process - not too slow but not too fast either:
http://tinyurl.com/scprocess

Re #2 vs. #3, anything that is long AND wrong should go in #3. Even if you think you could learn it eventually, you shouldn't start with it now. Come back to it later, if and when you have time.

Anything that is much too long (1m+ over the average) should go into #3 and be given the "get these wrong fast in future" treatment - even if you have been getting them right. You need so long to get them right that it isn't worth it. (And, really, if you're taking that long, you give yourself so many chances to make a mistake that you can't be confident you'll always get it right.)

Also, if you got something wrong but it was 700+, that goes in bucket 3. At this point, you need to make sure you can get the sub-700 stuff, not that stuff above.

Okay, for the #2 topics you list:
Exponents: If you have our Foundations of Math book, start there. Make sure you know the rules and how to manipulate these. Drill yourself till you know them backwards and forwards. If you don't have that book, google "exponent and root drills." Lots of teachers post worksheets online.

When you're ready, go to the main Algebra strategy guide and make sure you can do the material in the exponents and roots chapters. Then test yourself on OG questions and, if you have Navigator access, check our solutions. Also, start analyzing OG problems using this:
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

Polygons - do you know the rules? Or is that part fine and you're struggling with how to apply to GMAT-format problems? If the former, study our Foundations of Math material. If the latter, start analyzing OG problems using the 2nd Level article.

RC and CR: you've listed inference / draw a conclusion for both. Start with the question type you think you're better at (RC or CR), learn inference, then go back and learn it for the other one.

Here are strategies:
RC: https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... rehension/

CR: https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... reasoning/

Evaluate questions are hard enough that you can blow those off for now. Add them back in later if you have time (and if you still need it).

For SC modifiers, try this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... orrection/

I'm less concerned about idioms because they have reduced the incidence of "one-off" idioms on the test, and that's usually where people struggle. They do still definitely test idioms that have to do with parallelism (eg, either X or Y) or comparisons (eg, X more than Y), so if you're struggling with those, start making flash cards. If you have our SC strategy guide, take a look at the asterisked idioms in the Idioms chapter. (Only the ones with asterisks.)

Take a look through the above and let me know what you think.

[SamC181]

Stacy,

Thank you for the detailed response. I will move forward with this and touch base as needed.


Thanks again,

Sam

[StaceyKoprince]

you're welcome!