Suggestions for Advanced Verbal Practice

[nathaliewalton]

I just took the GMAT today and it looks like I will have to take the test again.. My score breakdown was 39Q and 36V (620). I know that I messed up the math section since I had consistently been scoring 43Q, so I am less worried on what I should do to improve this part of the test. However, I would really appreciate input on how to improve my verbal score. Over the next 5-6 weeks I plan to spend about 70% of my time on math and 30% of time on verbal. In mid to late August I would like to retake the test.

Since I took the first MGMAT practice test in which I scored a 32 on verbal, my score has only improved to a 36. I have read all of the MGMAT books and done almost all of the corresponding problems verbal problems in the OG. While I definitely spent the bulk of my time studying math, I still put a decent effort in improving my verbal score. As I am trying to form my strategy to retake the test I would love to have input on how I can raise my verbal to a 40. I feel like this is the only way I am going to get over the hump, since I am truly weaker in math. I really think I get the basics and I am probably equally strong in RC, SC and CR...I am starting to think that one of my issues is that I have trouble with the 700+ level problems. If this is the case, is there a way that I can get more practice doing only 700+ level problems? Is there another guide or supplemental material that I can purchase. I feel like the OG problems are a more diverse mixture and perhaps I need to concentrate on the more difficult problems. Additionally, I've already seen the problems multiple times and would like to see different problems.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to begin studying as soon as possible but I think it is important to have a plan of action first. Please recommend any additional, challenging verbal practice material that you might be aware of.

Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

So, a 36 on the verbal is in the high 70s, percentile-wise. That's very good already, but 700+ problems would be problems at the 90th+ percentile. There's still a gap there - if you try to concentrate on 700+ but don't hit that gap, you won't even see that many 700+ problems. You have to lift yourself there first. (That doesn't mean you shouldn't do 700+ problems as well - but don't do only those.)

So, let me ask you some questions. If I were to show you a particular difference in SC answer choices but NOT show you the full problem (or even the full answer choices), would you be able to tell me which rule is probably being tested? You can probably do this for some things right now (eg, "has" and "have" would be a pretty straightforward split), but you can also probably get better at this. The splits, or differences in the choices, are the major clues that (should immediately) tell us what rules we need to think about / apply for that choice.

If I were to show you the full answer choices for an RC or CR problem but NOT show you the passage / argument, would you be able to eliminate any of the answer choices? Do you know how they tend to construct wrong answers? If not, then you have some more work to do - and, in fact, I'd argue that, as long as you aren't at the scoring level you want, you are not done with those OG problems. There's more there - you just haven't learned it all yet.

When you do a verbal problem, can you answer these questions:
- why was each wrong answer wrong? (be as explicit as possible for all of these - articulate well enough that you could convince someone else)
- which wrong answer was the most tempting? why did it look like it might be right?
- why was it actually wrong? what specific words indicate that it is wrong and (if I got it wrong) how did I overlook those clues the first time?
- why did the right answer seem wrong? what made it so tempting to cross off the right answer? why were those things actually okay - what would be the error in thinking that they were wrong?
- why was it actually right?

I agree that, at your scoring level, the lower-numbered problems in OG are probably not worth a significant review. I'd start about a third of the way through in each section. I assume that you have OG12 and the verbal supplement? You can also get some new questions via OG11. (There's a lot of overlap with OG12, but there are also some unique questions.) I wouldn't start on those new ones, though, until you've gone back and done the analysis I discuss above on problems you've already done. Really pick these apart until you feel like you've gotten into the heads of the test-writers. Then do some new ones (and do the same kind of analysis on those, too!).

Also, I know that you feel math is your big weakness and where you should spend most of your time. I also just want to mention that (a) it's often easier to improve on your strengths, and (b) the verbal section is weighted a little more heavily in your overall score than the quant section. So just keep that in mind - do some significant work on verbal because it's easier for that to pay off.

[nathaliewalton]

Thank you Stacey. This is incredibly helpful. I will try to really "tear apart" the verbal questions so that I can gain a better understanding. Thanks again and I will let you know how it goes!

[StaceyKoprince]

You're welcome - good luck!