Plan for last 40-days

[ghag.kamlesh]

Hello Instructors:

What best strategy I must apply to keep the momentum? My target score is between 600 and 660 and I am preparing GMAT since last 5 months. I have just over a month to write my GMAT and with the following scores (MGMAT + GMAT Prep CAT):

GMAT 1: 570 (39Q + 29V
GMAT 2: 650 (40Q + 35V)

MGMAT 1: 410 (30Q + 16V)
MGMAT 2: 530 (40Q + 23V)
MGMAT 3: 550 (38Q + 28V)
MGMAT 4: 610 (38Q + 35V)
MGMAT 5: 660 (45Q + 35 V)
MGMAT 6: 670 (49Q + 33V)

Please note that the re-GMAT CAT and MGMAT CAT scores are inflated and so, I did not mention those scores here.

Your recommendations would be extremely useful at this point.
Thanks in advance.
Kamlesh

[StaceyKoprince]

Your most recent scores at the higher end of your desired scoring range so that's good.

For the next roughly 25 days, you can still work on trying to improve; after that, you're going to switch over to your review and game-planning (which I know you already know, since you posted the article for another student - thanks!).

One thing I'm noticing is kind of a wide range on quant - from 40 to 49 on those three highest tests. Why? What went better on the higher tests and what do you need to do to solidify that kind of performance? What didn't go as well on GMATPrep 2 and what can you do to remedy those problems?

Verbal has been more steady in the mid 30s, which is great. Were these tests taken under official conditions, with IR and essay? If so, that bodes well for your chances to maintain that level of performance on the real test. If you were giving yourself any advantages, though, that would have made you less mentally fatigued, then you could see a drop on verbal, so you'll need to start practicing that mental stamina (let me know if this is an issue).

Okay, so what to improve? You tell me. :)
Use the below to analyze your two most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Add in an analysis (as best you can) of that last GMATPrep test, particularly the drop in quant.

Then come back here and tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. 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!)

[ghag.kamlesh]

Hello Stacey,

Thank you very much for this wonderful piece of feedback. Give me a day or so, and then I will post the details (in brief) for your kind information.

Best'
Kamlesh

[ghag.kamlesh]

Hello Stacey,

This is a kind of small research on my performance. I apologize for such a long - detail report.

First, I would like to answer your questions:

Your Question: One thing I'm noticing is kind of a wide range on quant - from 40 to 49 on those three highest tests. Why?
Ans: My initial answers on these tests were correct (12/15). Second, there were some 700 level questions, which I solved. Actually, I found these 700 level questions, especially PS were much more easy than I thought.

Your Question: What went better on the higher tests and what do you need to do to solidify that kind of performance?
ANS: I believe that managing time in correct way, moving on to next question, if getting stuck, and finishing strong. When I see the time spent for each question (QT+Ver) in my last two MGMAT CAT V/s earlier tests, issue of timing is significantly improved.

Your Question: What didn't go as well on GMATPrep 2 and what can you do to remedy those problems?
Ans: There were four careless mistakes on QT and these errors happened due to Time pressure + not reading properly. Solution to this is be focus. Also, the problems that I got wrong were solved correctly while reviewing in two minutes.

Your Question: Verbal has been more steady in the mid 30s, which is great. Were these tests taken under official conditions, with IR and essay?
Ans: Yes, all these CATs were written in pure official conditions, with IR and essay.
But, my RC score gets always fluctuates. In fact, in my last two tests (MGMAT CAT) my correct % is 31% whereas on SC and CR, correct% is 72% and 74% respectively. RC is my bothering area.

Analysis and Action:
1. RC -
Well, there was some anxiety and loss of focus on the last test (two RC) that decreases my Verbal score. And this challenge is bothering me for RC. Timing is also an issue here for RC. I am too fast on the answering.
So, what I am doing: 1. Making sure that I will get correct answer for Main Idea for each RC. That will count for four correct answers and targeting for remaining questions from the Inferences topics. It means that out of 12 RC, I will score minimum 4 from the main idea category questions.
2. CR -
In general, it takes me 2 min and 10 sec to solve CR question, but if I do fast then chances of selecting wrong option increases. I am too weak in Role (Bold face). At this point, I am focusing more on Assumption Family (FA + Strengthen + Weaken) and Evidence family (Inference) only.
3. SC -
Timings are alright here, 1:30 min. But, real issues with convoluted sentences. Now, I am stressing hard on major three types: Modifier, Parallelism, and Subj-verb agreement. Ron's thursday study hall, listening to your's & Tim's SC video explanation on OG archer. Since, SC has more weight (in quantity - not less than 15), so I want to en-cash that advantage. I am trying to give answers on our verbal forum.

4. DS -
Personally, I prefer this section, but I won't say I am good. In my last two MGMAT test, the correct score is 59%. Timings for correct answers - 1:48 min. vs wrong answer - 1:33. I think I should give some time before I select the option. To strengthen this section, I think revision and re-visiting the my strong areas would help, such as FDP, WP, and Geo, and Algebra. Yes, my concern area here is NP. So, I will just give touch up because now I can not learn any new concept. Time is money...for me now.

5. PS -
Correct % on last two test was 70%. Weak section on PS is NP and algebra. But, yes, timings wise alright. I guess I should see the basic and practice them topic - wise. For e.g. 5 question.

In a nutshell, what I have planned is:

1. Doing mix of activities - reading question-answers, notes, visiting forums, reviewing flash cards.

2. Practicing -

QT= 10 question sets from OG / Supplement review

Verbal - 2 RC daily with timing, Reviewing the fundamentals of SC on the preferred topics and understanding the CR questions, solving CR by keeping the time clock.

3. Analyzing - going over things I have already done, and testing my work...

I guess this is it. Kindly advice on this. Thank you once again for your consideration and time.

Best wishes.

Kamlesh.

[StaceyKoprince]

Responding to your comments in order.

It's a myth that the earlier questions are worth more - it all evens out in the end. Did you have any clusters of wrong answers? Did you have more wrong answers towards the end? (maybe you were running low on stamina?) How many *lower* level questions did you get wrong on the lower tests? A few more careless mistakes on easier problems can make a big difference.

Now I'm reading your next two responses - okay timing and careless mistakes have both been issues. :)

Timing:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

Solution to minimizing careless mistakes - this is a lot more complex than just "being focused." Read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

Note that it's not at all surprising that you didn't make the careless mistakes when you tried the problems again. That's the nature of careless mistakes - sometimes you make them, sometimes you don't. See that article above for me on how to handle these.

Why do you answer RC too quickly? Are you lost so you just guess and move on? Or do you think you're answering the questions correctly and only realize afterwards that you made a mistake? (If the latter, one of the best remedies is to make yourself check for proof in the passage for every specific detail or inference question. You're not allowed to answer until you can point to the proof!)

CR: You typically have one boldface per test. Guess on that one immediately. Then, you can spend 2m10s on all of the others. :)

SC: convoluted sentences:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... orrection/

You're going too fast on DS - are you spending that time on PS? You may be forcing yourself to make up time on DS, and that leads to careless mistakes!

NP:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -gmatprep/

And for all, analysis! This is how you analyze a problem:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/a ... roblem.cfm

And I *just* wrote an article about How To Learn. It'll get published sometime next week - just check our blog every day till you see it!

Those last two, plus the earlier ones on time management and careless mistakes, are the most important. :)

[ghag.kamlesh]

Thank you Stacey for your guidance. It will really help me to polish my skills and knowledge.
Kamlesh.

[StaceyKoprince]

you're welcome - good luck! :)