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ANANDG516
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How to improve verbal after 1st attempt to GMAT

by ANANDG516 Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:02 am

Hello MGMAT

I appeared for GMAT in Feb,15. The day before main exam I tried GMAT PREP 2nd free test and I got 660 (Q48 & V 32).

While in main exam, I got final score 600 (Q49 & V23). My verbal score was kind of consistent during MGMAT exam also...(V31-32) for last 3 test but in main paper, I spoiled verbal in very ridiculous way.

I still don't know what went wrong to such extent. Now I am thinking for one more try.

Please guide me how to proceed with Verbal in effective manner, I have already completed MGMAT verbal guides.

I am planning to reappear for GMAT in July,15. Tell me how to start again with verbal.

Thanks
Anand
StaceyKoprince
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Re: How to improve verbal after 1st attempt to GMAT

by StaceyKoprince Mon Apr 06, 2015 8:28 pm

I'm sorry that you had a disappointing test experience.

Did you take your practice tests under 100% official conditions? Did you do the essay and IR sections? Did you limit yourself to two 8-minute breaks? Did you avoid use of the pause button? Had you seen any of the questions before?

Anything that deviates from standard conditions could cause an artificially inflated test score, so I always ask about this first, because it might be the case that your practice scores were actually higher than they should have been. In particular, people who see score drops on verbal often skipped the essay and/or IR sections in practice (or didn't take them seriously), or took longer breaks than allowed, and then had mental stamina problems on verbal during the real test.

Did you have any of these symptoms:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... you-crazy/

Next, there are some other factors that can cause scores to drop on test day. Take a look at this article and tell me anything that you think might apply in your case:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... t-wrong-2/

Once we figure out what we think the likely factors were, we can then take steps to try to combat them next time around!

The other thing we need is an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses on verbal. 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 happened last time and what you think you should do next time. 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!)
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep