Solid preparation strategy, but NO progress.

[roman.msu]

Dear experts in the GMAT preparation,
Please, could you help me to understand what is wrong with my strategy and how I should change it?

To summarize:
I'm Not a native speaker; I've been studying for the GMAT since February 2011 (7 months already); the study strategy is based on many recommendations from beatthegmat, gmatclub, and mgmat forum and seems a strong one; however, my practice tests don't show any progress, but rather regress sometimes.

I've searched different forums and read many posts on GMAT retake strategy or on study plans, but all that looks irrelevant in my case (my personal observations):
- I don't have a time management issue (thanks to Ron's brillian video)
- I have more or less clear grasp of all the concepts: CR - different q. types' approach, SC - rules etc., RC - skimming + different q. types' approach
- I have been focusing on OG 12 and Verbal 2d ed. review problems: with more accent on quality than on quantity, thoroughly cheking explanations for all the problems
- The study time is 1-2 hours dialy, 4-6 hours on the weekend
- I regularly took a practice tests and tried to review missed problems (for MGMAT tests)

However, my test results:
10.12.10 MGMAT1 Q40 V25 Total 540
05.02.11 MGMAT2 Q44 V30 Total 600
19.02.11 MGMAT3 Q43 V31 Total 600
16.04.11 GMATPrep1 Q41 V20 Total 510
24.07.11 GMATPrep 1(2nd time) Q47 V22 Total 570
14.08.11 MGMAT4 Q45 V29 Total 600
21.08.11 GMATPrep 1(3d time) Q48 V20 Total 560
25.08.11 REAL GMAT Q44 V22 Total 550

The main problem, I guess, is not that I don't get it, but that I'm too slow to get the problem in 2 minutes (especially if there is too much text); in contrast, if I spend 4-5 minutes, I usually get the problem right. I thought the practice would solve the agility issue, but it didn't. I already finished 242 SC, 155 CR and 60 RC OG problems. Isn't it enough to develop the pace?
Please, suggest the approach how to improve (only Verbal is in focus)!

Thanks a lot and have a good weekend!

[StaceyKoprince]

You say at the beginning that you don't have a timing problem, but at the end, you indicate that you do actually have a timing problem. Have you read this article yet?

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... anagement/

I'd also like to get some more detailed data from your practice tests. Are you taking them under official conditions, including essays? Use the below article to analyze your most recent MGMAT test:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

And tell us any ways in which you deviated from official testing conditions.

In particular, I'm curious why, on your last MGMAT test, you scored 29 on verbal, but a eek later, you scored only 20 on GMATPrep. I know GMATPrep doesn't give you any data, but can you go back and try to figure out what may have happened there? What was the progression of correct vs. incorrect answers - did you have any long strings of wrong answers? Did you run out of time, have to rush or skip Qs at any point? Etc.

[roman.msu]

Hi Stacey,
Thanks for your reply and sorry for delay from my side.
To clarify: I have a time strategy for the test to finish on time, but I'm struggling to improve my performance for questions to get the correct answer faster. Therefore, yes, I use "throw away questions" to finish on time.

I've read the articles; they are great and I comply with them.

I take practice tests under official conditions, though, not really concentrating on AWA (usually spend 20 minutes instead of 30*2).

My MGMATtest results are following: http://www.manhattangmat.com/OnlineExam ... w.cfm?rx=1
As to the last GmatPrep, it looked similar to MGMAT test, but the result was different. The statistics for correct q: SC: 10/17; CR:6/11; RC: 5/13 (used RC as throw away questions in the middle of the test, -but this is usual in my strategy) - I finished the test on time.

To conclude, it looks like CR is the most time consuming and troubling part for me, based on the MGMAT tests statistics. So, my initial question remains: "How to improve the spead?" - I've done so many questions (thoroughly checking the explanations afterwards), but I still can not get it faster ("&correct" is implied).
Thanks a lot.

Kind regards,
Roman

[StaceyKoprince]

I take practice tests under official conditions, though, not really concentrating on AWA (usually spend 20 minutes instead of 30*2).

Not good enough. Take the tests under 100% official conditions. :)

Please give us your analysis of the data - don't just show us the data. You need to learn how to analyze the data yourself and tell us what you think it means.

I finished the test on time

That doesn't mean your timing is okay. I speak with students every day who finish the test on time but still have timing problems. Do the analysis described in the article I linked in my last post.

but I still can not get it faster ("&correct" is implied).

Be careful about that. There's a balance between accuracy and efficiency. I don't want you to get 100% right if you're way too slow. (And, in fact, you'll never get 100% right because the test will just keep giving you harder stuff until you can't get the questions right.) You only need to get about 60% of the questions right, and you need to balance your time well enough that you have a *chance* at every single question. That's the standard - not "how can I get everything right but faster."

For CR, first, read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/C ... n-type.cfm

Next, tell me more detail on your CR strengths and weaknesses. (Note: I did not look at what you linked. If you'd like to sign up for private tutoring, then you can have a teacher review your test results in detail and give you a study plan. But you don't need to do that - you can learn how to help yourself get better, and that's what we help you do here on the forums. That means you have to tell me *everything* that you think the data means. Are your percentages correct too low on Strengthen the Conclusion questions? Are you too slow on Assumption questions? Whatever it is, I'll help you figure out what you should do about it - but you have to help yourself first by following the instructions in that Analyze Your Practice Tests article. :)

[roman.msu]

Dear Stacey,
Thanks a lot.
I'm getting there.

Kind regards,
Roman

[StaceyKoprince]

Good, I'm glad to hear it. Keep checking in!