Strategy for Next 3 Weeks

[NGL]

I just booked my test date for 2/26, that's 22 days from now. I first took the official exam in October and wasn't happy with my score. I planned to retake in December, but I kept delaying the test. Finally, I decided to book a date to force myself to feel more pressure.

My verbal score is strong, so I'm planning to continue to focus mainly on quant. I'm planning to watch a Thursdays with Ron quant video each day, complete 10-20 OG problems three days per week, review those OG problems 3 days per week, and have one day off each week.

I'm currently scoring around 710 (45Q, 42V). Quant has ranged from 44-47 on my last few practice tests (MGMAT and GMATPrep). My target quant score is about 47-48.

Any suggestions on this strategy?

Should I be completing more problems? I'm trying to make sure I have enough time to thoroughly review.

[StaceyKoprince]

Is ~710 your goal? That is, are you within striking range now? Or are you looking for more?

Did you take those practice tests under 100% official conditions, including essay and IR? (I want to make sure that the numbers we're looking at are valid.)

What kinds of timing problems do you have? (Note that I don't ask whether you have timing problems. Everyone has timing problems. :)

If you're not sure, use this article to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

If you'd like, you can also come back here to tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. 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!)

If your quant is fluctuating from 44 to 47, one possible culprit could be the timing - if you can even that out, then you'll be more likely to hit at the top end of the range than the bottom.

Use these two articles to help with timing:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... to-win-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

Finally, it sounds like you don't have a hard deadline - that was what was making it difficult for you to stay motivated and why you booked yourself a test date. 3 weeks is not a ton of time, so I just want to say: aim for that date, but about 7-10 days out, take a practice test (under 100% official conditions) and give yourself the flexibility to say, "Hmm, I need a few more weeks" if you think that's really warranted.

As long as you reschedule >7 days in advance, you only have to pay a $50 fee to reschedule. Now, that's still $50, so that should keep you motivated to try to hit your original date. But if you really do think you could benefit from a few more weeks, then suck it up and pay the $50. :)

[NGL]

So, I hit an official score of 710, which was my target. However, my score is completely imbalanced, and not in line with my practice test results. I scored 710 (Q39, V48).

I'm obviously happy with my verbal score, but I don't understand why my official quant score is so different than my quant score on practice tests. All practice tests were taken under official-like conditions.

But for some reason, while my quant score fluctuates from 44-47 on practice tests, on the official test, my score was significantly lower.

I've tried analyzing the results of my practice tests, but I don't think it's helping. I would be content with scoring on my official tests what I consistently score on practice tests.

What should be my next steps?

[StaceyKoprince]

Wow, V48. Amazing. Nice work! (And great work on the 710 overall - I know you still want to lift quant, but it's nice to know you've got that score under your belt already.)

For quant, we really do need to figure out what might have happened there. I'll suggest again that you give me an analysis of your practice tests using the article I linked in my last post. (Don't worry if you think you're wrong in your analysis. Give me something - and I'll tell you whether I think you're on track and point out things I think you've missed. :)

In your analysis, pay particular attention to timing and stamina / mental fatigue issues. Also, you said you took tests under official-like conditions - do you mean 100% official including essay, IR, length of breaks, etc? Just want to make sure.

Also, if you took our course or one of our Guided Self-Study packages, then you're eligible for a free Post-Exam Assessment (if you haven't done it already). This is a phone call with an instructor to figure out what went wrong and come up with a plan to re-take the test. If this applies to you, please send an email to studentservices@manhattangmat.com and request the Post-Exam Assessment.