Study plan for the last week before GMAT

[vaibhavgmat.c83]

Hi Instructors

I have been preparing for the GMAT from last 3 months and my GMAT is scheduled on next weekend. I have been getting scores of 650, 660, 670 in MGMATs and this weekend I got 710 in the GMATPrep Exam. I have gone thru Stacey's article on last 14 days preparation but I wanted to know the best strategy I can follow during the last 7 days of the preparation to maximize my scores.

I also did the analysis of my exam and I believe I might have a timing issue. While taking the GMAT Prep and the MGMATs I am following the time buckets strategy (As mentioned in the MGMAT Guide)for both Quant and Verbal. I stayed within time buckets until q 10 -12 (most of them I got right) but then I saw some tough questions in the middle which took some time to solve. So, in Quant, by the time I reached Q#18 - 20, I was already behind by 8 - 9 min. This led me to guess more questions in the end. But I made sure I did not do random guessing and tried to eliminate answers I think were definitely wrong. Also, I tried to not guess 3 - 4 questions in a row.
This issue I have noticed in Both sections. The score was Q49 V39.

So, I am not sure if I should increase my pace in the initial questions of both Quant and Verbal. Should I make sure that i follow the time buckets even if I get some initial ( First 10) questions wrong.?

Thanks
Vaibhav

[StaceyKoprince]

The first 10 questions are not worth any more than any 10 questions anywhere else on the test. So don't prioritize those over the others.

What you really need to fix is this:

but then I saw some tough questions in the middle which took some time to solve.

Wrong goal! Your goal is to get these wrong faster, not right by spending extra time. Your goal is to recognize when too-hard questions are not worth your time, guess, and move on.

It doesn't matter if you can get them right in 3-4 minutes - that's not what the test wants to see! The test wants to see that you know how to set priorities and make appropriate decisions not to waste time / mental energy on questions that will take too much effort.

Read this (seriously, right now, then come back here):
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2015/08/ ... r-the-gmat

That's how you want to take this test!

You said that, even with the timing issues, your score was Q49, V39 - that's already a great score! You could get a little better, though, by following the mindset described above. Think of it this way: you *are* going to have to guess on something, no matter what. That's how the test is constructed. Your only choice is what / when. The best decision = guess on the ones that are taking the longest / are the hardest for you!

[vaibhavgmat.c83]

Hi Stacey

Thanks for your reply.

I took the GMAT and got a dismal 640 (q46 v31), I was scoring consistently in 700s on the GMAT Preps. My last GMAT Prep scores were 710, 700 and 680 (all of them with essays and IR with two 8 min breaks). I kept your strategy in mind but not sure what went wrong during the exam.

My target score is 720 and I am planning to re take the GMAT on 15th Oct (in One month from now).

Could you please help me in devising the right strategy for this retake. I have already competed the OG13 and the Verbal/Quant Review 2nd edition books. I have also used up 4 MGMATs and the 4 GMATPreps tests.

So, not sure if I should start from a clean slate again or just identify my weaknesses and work on them.

Please, need your guidance

Thanks
Vaibhav

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry that you had a disappointing test experience. Our first task is to figure out why your real test score was so much lower than your practice scores.

Did both Q and V drop or was the drop more attributable to one section?

Read this to help diagnose the various reasons why your score may have dropped, then come back and tell me what you think may apply in your case:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... t-wrong-2/

How did you feel the real test was similar to your most recent practice CATs? How did you feel the real test differed compared to your most recent practice CATs?

If you are planning to order the Enhanced Score Report, please share the data here, too.
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... re-report/

Our second task is to get into your strengths and weaknesses.

First, read these two articles:
http://tinyurl.com/executivereasoning
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

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 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. Your analysis should include a discussion of your buckets - you'll understand what that means when you read the last article. 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!)

Finally, just a note: I can't say that Oct 15th will be enough time, because we haven't yet figured out what was going on. If we discover, for example, that your practice scores were artificially inflated for one or some of the reasons listed in my first article above, then you may need more time to get yourself to your goal. If, on the other hand, we discover that you totally burned yourself out and you had huge timing problems on the day of the test, then 4-ish weeks may be enough time. So let's first figure out what's going on and then work from there.

[vaibhavgmat.c83]

Hi Stacey

I see that the drop was in both sections but considerable drop was in verbal section. I have been scoring above 36 in the verbal in the mocks but in GMAT my score was 31. In quant, my average score from last 3 GMAT preps was 48, and in GMAT it was 46.

I think in the GMAT, in quant, I was going on time until question 30 (I used to be behind by 8 -9 min at around 20 before) but by the time I reached the end I had to guess the last 2-3 questions. I think I mismanaged time after question 30 in quant. In Verbal, same issue happened. I remember seeing an RC at Q 32-33 (I was on time till now) but later I had to guess last 2-3 question.

Here are the details of my enhanced score report:

Verbal: Overall Score - 31
CR: 57th Percentile (31) and average time 2.06
RC: 68th Percentile (34) and average time 1.86
SC: 50th Percentile (28) and average time 1.45

Quant: Overall Score - 46
PS: 57th Pecentile (44) and average time 1.69
DS: 70th Percentile (48) and average time 2.27
Arithmetic: 66th Percentile (47) and average time 1.88
Algebra/Geometry: 64th percentile (46) and average time 2.01

I analysed my most recent practice MGMAT and here are the details for it:

In Quant,

1. I did not have a string of 4 incorrect questions. But, By q#10 I was 8 min behind, by q#20 I was 18 min behind and by q#30 12 min behind the target cum time.

2. I had more than 12 crazy slow problems and 50% correct. These Crazy Slow Problems belonged to below topics:
Rates and Work, Geometry, Divisibility and Primes, Fractions, Combinatorics.
Because of this, I had to guess around 11 problems which I was able to solve within 2 mins when I did those later.

In Verbal

1. I had one string of 4 incorrect questions with an average of 2.5 min per question. By q#15, I was 14 min behind and by q#30 I was 8 min behind the target time .

2. I had more than 10 crazy slow problems which belonged to the topics: Modifiers, Weaken the argument, RC Inference, SC Pronouns, SC Meaning, CR Assumptions

Please let me know further plan I should follow and any other analysis I need to do.

Thanks for your advice.
Vaibhav

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm not seeing any discussion of your buckets. Did you read both halves of the CAT analysis article? You'll need to do that full analysis and tell me what your 3 buckets are.

by q#20 I was 18 min behind

This signals a very significant time management problem. So we know we need to work on that.

I had more than 12 crazy slow problems and 50% correct. These Crazy Slow Problems belonged to below topics:
Rates and Work, Geometry, Divisibility and Primes, Fractions, Combinatorics.
Because of this, I had to guess around 11 problems which I was able to solve within 2 mins when I did those later.

So put this into full perspective. It's not that you got 50% correct. You had 12 + 11 = 23 problems, and you answered 6/23 correct. (Yes, you may have guessed correctly on some of those 11, but I'm counting them all as wrong, because if you did guess right, you just got lucky.)

6/23!! That's your true cost - only about 25% correct (on a test where guessing randomly will earn you 20% correct).

So the first thing we need to do is change this mindset that is telling you that getting stuff right is more important than other considerations, such as time and mental energy expended.

That's like saying, "We're going to win this contract no matter what it takes, even if we lose money on the deal!" That would be a terrible business decision, right? Start approaching the GMAT like you're running a business, NOT taking an academic test. Getting stuff right is not the most important thing. Getting the best ROI (return on investment) is the most important thing.

I have to ask you some questions again that I asked you last time, because I don't see the answers in your post.

First, read these two articles:
http://tinyurl.com/executivereasoning
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

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.

This gets into what I was saying about changing your mindset / approach. Based on what those articles say, tell me what you've learned so far that you need to change. This may also help:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... -the-gmat/

And here's how to start dealing with the time management aspect (two articles):
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... -to-do-it/
http://tinyurl.com/GMATTimeManagement

Next, please address this from my last post:

Read this to help diagnose the various reasons why your score may have dropped, then come back and tell me what you think may apply in your case:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... t-wrong-2/

How did you feel the real test was similar to your most recent practice CATs? How did you feel the real test differed compared to your most recent practice CATs?

(If none of the possible explanations applied in your case, please say so.)

Your ESR indicates that RC is a strength but SC needs work. It also appears to show that DS is much stronger than PS, however you also spent much more time on DS than PS, so it's not surprising that you would do comparatively better on those questions. DS averaged about 30 seconds slower, on average, than PS. So we need to figure out what's going on there - are you making careless mistakes on PS due to speed? Or do you know that you don't know how to calculate something, so you just guess and move on? A review of questions from your most recent practice tests may help you to analyze that.

[vaibhavgmat.c83]

So put this into full perspective. It's not that you got 50% correct. You had 12 + 11 = 23 problems, and you answered 6/23 correct

I never thought about it, Can't believe that if I guessed, I could have got the same accuracy. This certainly gives me a strong reason to stop spending time on tough questions. Such an "Aha" moment!!!

Here is my full analysis and answers to each of your questions.

1. Reason my score dropped:
a. I think that the primary reason is mismanaged timing in the real test. I finished my last MGMAT just on time but there was an up and down timing issue. Also, Stamina might be an issue as I felt a mental block on few questions towards the end of verbal section.
b. I feel another difference in real GMAT was that after my quant section I came back and went to my seat but still there were 3 min left for my break. But I had to start my section as per the test center instructions. Though, I am skeptical that this could be the reason for such a big drop.

2. How do I need to change my approach after reading the articles you suggested.

a. Decision Making: I am not making the correct decisions. I should know when I need to bail out and when I should spend some more time to get this question right. I have that "But" feeling while doing some questions due to which I take more time on those.
b. One Min Sense: I think I need to develop the one min sense, which I think I have developed after giving so many practice CATs but still have to get better at it. Sometimes I just cant get stop solving the question and change my strategy. I believe I need to consciously make this decision as I cross the time limit for a question.
c. Careless mistakes: I noticed a pattern for few questions I solve. In quant, I do the math, solve the question but I none of the ans choice is that answer. Then I re do it to see that I made a careless mistake in some calculation. So, I need to stop making these careless mistakes.


3. My buckets Discussion
I did my last MGMAT in depth analysis. I gave another practice CAT recently to check my current level and analyse my strengths and weaknesses.
I also took the GMAT Focus test for Quant. I saw some really tough questions on the test, but this time I changed my strategy to educated guessing as soon as I understood that I can’t solve this question in 2.5 – 3 min. I got 20 correct and 4 wrong and a scaled score of 47-51 with 80% Confidence level. (I have been working on few topics of my prioritize list before this test)

GMAT Focus Analysis:
4 incorrect, 1 question correct with 3 min 44 sec time spent:
1 correct: 700 level Word Problem: I spent 3 min 44 sec on this tough word problem DS question. I time I took was to read and comprehend the question
4 Incorrect:
Word Problem with Statistics (Mean) (700 level) – Did a calculation silly mistake
Tough Probability question: I figured out the strategy to solve correctly but it took me a long time so I bailed out.
Silly mistake on word problem with linear equations (700 level)
Weighted average question: I made a mistake while calculating the average for a mixture.

Below is my Tests analysis:
QUANT:
Broadly, I am better at DS than PS, but looking at the timings, I see that even on 750 level PS problems I spend less time. The reason is that I either make calculation mistakes/guesses while at the end of section or I have content problems. I have taken note of them in below buckets.
Strengths:
a. Exponents, Linear Equations – I get the 80% of the 750 level questions right within 2 min
b. Number Properties: Probability & Combinatorics – 600 – 700 level questions
c. Algebra
d. Quadratic equations
e. Inequalities – 600 – 700 level
f. FDPs: 600-700 level

Prioritize:
a. Divisibility and Primes: I am getting these questions consistently wrong in 2 min. The reason is I am not taking the right approach to solve these questions.
b. Inequalities: Getting wrong due to incorrect strategy. For example, picking numbers or use algebra
c. Number Properties – (perfect squares) – I forgot the concept
d. Consecutive integers: Getting wrong in 3 min time. Again I think I am applying wrong strategies
e. Digits and decimals: I am making mistakes due to holes in foundation and wrong strategy.
f. Modulus questions: Making mistakes due to holes in foundation. I revised the concept and did few tough questions on this. Saw the results in GMATFocus
g. Rates and Work: On 700-800 level questions I make mistakes in the content.
Ugh:
a. Geometry (Triangles / Circles and Cylinders) : Just could not figure out how to solve the questions. On many questions, I kept staring at the screen thinking.
b. Exponents and Roots: 750 level questions getting wrong in crazy slow time
c. Percent’s and mixtures: Content Issue
d. Statistics and medians: Content issue
e. Divisibility and Primes: 750 level questions
f. Rates and Work: 750 level questions
The above Ugh list mistakes I make due to tough questions and thinking about the strategy to solve them



VERBAL:
Strengths:
CR:
Evaluate the Arg
Explain the Discrepancy
Find Assumptions
Describe the Role
RC
Main Idea
Specific Detail

SC
SV Agreement
Verbs
Modifiers: 600-700 level

Prioritize:
CR:
Weaken the Argument: consistently getting them wrong. Reasons: Picked incorrect choice which did not have relation with the argument, questions involving math
Strengthen the Argument: Getting questions wrong due to forgetting what I am looking for while reviewing the ans choices
SC:
Long sentences: I get them right but it takes 3 min. comprehending the Sentence takes time
Modifiers: Tough modifier questions getting wrong due to not paying attention to the meaning
Meaning errors: Consistently making mistakes on SC questions by not paying attention to the meaning of the sentence
RC:
Inference questions

Ugh:
Must be True /Inference CR Questions: I just take a long time to solve them. Specifically those which involve Math in the question
Assumptions: 700 level questions. I take a long time to solve it. It also involved math
Inference RC Questions – 750 level
Weaken the argument = 750 level

Finally, I have 2 more questions:
1. In my recent practice CATs I follow the strategy of Time Buckets. Now, if I am ahead of time in one bucket, then I tend to spend close to 4 min on a question (thinking I still have time in this bucket). So, what should I do if I an ahead of time by around 3 min in a bucket? Should I spend more time on a tough question or bail out by 2 min?
2. I have used all my practice CATs. I tried resetting the MGMATs, but I see repeat questions which I still remember. So, any suggestions on how to do further pratice?

Thanks for all your help
Vaibhav

[StaceyKoprince]

This certainly gives me a strong reason to stop spending time on tough questions. Such an "Aha" moment!!!

Great.

I agree that the 3-min lost on the break thing probably didn't have much of an impact. The bigger issue is timing / decision making.

I have that "But" feeling while doing some questions

So now you're going to train yourself to let go when you have the But feeling, right?

Sometimes I just cant get stop solving the question and change my strategy.

Yes, develop that 1m time sense to help you know when you need to make the decision. And whenever you are tempted to keep going when you *really* know you shouldn't, tell yourself, "6/23." That's it.

So, I need to stop making these careless mistakes.

Agreed. But it's not enough just to tell yourself, "Don't make careless mistakes!" You have to figure out the types of careless mistakes that you tend to make and then you need to develop habits that help you to minimize those kinds of mistakes.
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... -the-gmat/

Nice job on GMAT Focus!

4 incorrect, 1 question correct with 3 min 44 sec time spent

In your write-up, you said that you made careless mistakes on 3 out of the 4 incorrect problems. What if you had bailed on that 3m44s problem a lot faster and spread that time across the other questions? You might have caught some of those careless mistakes...

You still did a great job overall. Again, I'm just pointing out that, when you analyze, show yourself the full cost of your decisions. It'll help you to make better decisions next time.

Your buckets generally look good. For your Ugh! list: you won't know that a problem is rated 750 level. So how are you going to know when to let go?

See whether this helps on the long sentences and modifiers (SC):
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... ce-part-1/

Now, if I am ahead of time in one bucket, then I tend to spend close to 4 min on a question (thinking I still have time in this bucket)

Two things to consider when making this decision. First, literally the longer you spend over about 3m, the more likely you are to answer incorrectly (seriously, studies have been done about this). Second, you have a limited amount of mental energy to spend throughout the test and you still have a lot of the test to go. Is this really where you want to expend extra mental energy?

If you are seeing only a few repeated questions, you can still do the tests 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.

If you are seeing lots of repeats, though, then you can try GMATPrep - there are two free tests and two more that you can buy. (And, of course, all the other test prep companies produce their own tests.) In the timeframe when you're doing those, do NOT study questions from our tests at all. In a month or so, you may be able to start using those again!

[vaibhavgmat.c83]

Dear Stacey

I took the GMAT yesterday and scored a 710 (Q50, V36, IR7). I want to thank you for spending time in helping me devise the right strategy for both quant and verbal. Based on your suggestions and your perspective, I was able to improve from a score of 640 to 710. After you made me categorize all me strengths and weaknesses in the proper buckets, I made a plan to work on my weaknesses one by one. This helped me tremendously in improving my accuracy.

Also, Ron's videos and his invaluable comments on the official questions helped me a lot in getting my strategy right in CR and RC.

You guys are doing a great job!! Thanks a ton

Cheers
Vaibhav

[StaceyKoprince]

Congratulations! I'm really happy for you.

I'm glad that we were able to help - but you were the one who had to do all of the hard work. I hope you celebrated after!

Good luck with applications; let us know how it goes!