700 (47Q / 40V) -- how to get my math score up?

[paraclete]

Hi,

I have been studying GMAT quant (no verbal) for about 5 weeks, and have taken 1 MGMAT CAT and 1 GMAT Prep test. Both were with essay and IR. Here are the results:

9/7/13 - CAT
45 Quant (68th percentile)
44 Verbal (97th percentile)
Score: 730

- Had very low geometry score because I hadn't studied it yet
- Two strings of 3 quant problems wrong in a row
- There were some repeat questions in verbal, and one 700-800 level repeat in quant, so I knew the score was slightly inflated

9/21/13 - GMAT Prep adaptive test (score is supposedly what you would get on the actual GMAT)
47 Quant (73rd percentile)
40 Verbal (90th percentile)
Score: 700

- One string of 3 wrong in a row (600-700, 700, 600-700); one string of two 700 level questions wrong in a row; one string of two 600-700 level questions wrong in a row (all difficulties based on gmatclub's forums)
- Timing was okay; I don't have per-problem timing detail but I had 2:30 for the last problem. I had to skip 1 problem to catch up on missed time, so I guessed and got it right (it was a <600 problem, so maybe should have actually read it and done it properly)

I realize I should have just taken a CAT because of the analysis, but here's what I got from my own analysis:
- Questions below 700 level: 76% correct

• Word problems 77% (10/13 correct)


• Number properties 67% (2/3 correct)


• Algebra 75% (6/8 correct)


• Geometry 80% (4/5 correct)

- Questions at 700+: 14.3% correct

• Word problems: 0/4 correct


• Number properties: 1/2 correct


• Algebra: 0/1 correct

My goal is to get my score above 80% in Quant. I'm not looking to increase my verbal score at all.

Additional context:
- I am taking the GMAT in 10 weeks
- I've done 408 OG problems (from OG12, 13 and quant) and gotten 33% wrong. I've made flashcards for all the problems I didn't know how to do or was missing critical information for.

Questions:
- How can I get my math score above 80%?
- Would it be better to expose myself to new problems, or to focus on learning new ways to solve the problems I already have on flashcards?
- Any insight from MGMAT instructors would be much appreciated!

[StaceyKoprince]

Note: when you say the GMATPrep score is "supposedly what you would get on the real test" - realize that even the real test has a standard deviation of 30 points. If you could somehow take the real test two days in a row, you wouldn't necessarily get exactly the same score - the most likely outcome on the second test would be within 30 points up OR down from the first score.

Okay, first, read this - right now:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

That's what you need to do, on a broad level, to get your math score up. It's not about learning more *math*. It's about learning better ways to tackle the peculiar GMAT way of asking questions. :)

Next, I need more detail in order to advise you. Use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Figure out what you think you should do based on that analysis (as well as what you read in the 2nd Level article above). 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. 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!)