Verbal help!

[AnkeshB789]

I took the GMAT first time early this year without any preparation. I was probably too naive about it. I didn't have any experience and the only book i read was the official GMAT book. I got a score of 570.

Subsequently, after doing lot of research I found Manhattan Prep the best of the lot. I purchased all the guides. Read them thoroughly. Especially the Sentence Correction because that is my weak point. I gave multiple tests. I was scoring on average 680 in GMATPrep. 48 on average in Quant and 33 on average in Verbal.

From the last week i have been taking the Manhattan Prep tests and my average has been 590 being 44-46 in Quant and 26-29 in Verbal. I was disappointed but I thought GMATPrep scores were more important.

I gave the official test today and I scored 590 being 44 in Quant and 27 in Verbal. I can't say I am not disappointed. I would like to add that I want to get back on my feet as soon as possible. I want to know what more I can do in order to improve my score. What all additional problems or questions I should work on? Is it possible to improve the score within a month?

Any help to improve my score would be welcome.

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry that you had a disappointing test experience. Let's start with your last question first. It is possible to improve your score in a month, yes - but how much are you looking to improve? That's the real question.

If you are hoping to get back up into that 680 range, then you might do that in a month, but I think 6-10 weeks is more likely.

Okay, before we dive in, I want to mention one important thing.

From the last week i have been taking the Manhattan Prep tests and my average has been 590 being 44-46 in Quant and 26-29 in Verbal.

So that means you were taking multiple tests in one week? Never do that again. First, good tests are rare, so you don't want to use them up. Second, taking multiple tests in one week is pretty useless. You just keep getting about the same score (as you found) and you don't actually get any better.

Read this:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... many-cats/

Next, we need to get a handle on your strengths and weaknesses so that we can figure out a study plan going forward. Did you order the Enhanced Score Report after your official test?
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... re-report/

If so, include the data in the analysis that I describe below.

First, read (or re-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!)

*Since you have multiple CATs in a short period of time, you can choose just 2 or 3. Choose the ones that you took most under official conditions - eg, if you skipped essay/IR on some of them, then don't use those.