GMAT Strategy

Last saturday I took my first CAT after preparing for 1 and half months. I am not terrible in Quant or Verb (except for SC). As mentioned in one of the recent articles in this website, I was trying to identify my weakness from the test.

Score: 540. Q37 V28

I retook the test on sunday with no time limitations. I finished Quant in 100 mins with +7 correct answers and verbal with +4 correct answers (I can not really compare the time in verbal as I was able to remember the RC passages)

Weakness -

1. I get nervous when the time is on. This is something I never felt when I am practising.
2. Timing is another one. During practise I do 75 mins sessions, I could able to complete 25 - 30 questions. (Guys, give some suggestions to improve this). Looks like I take 2.7 mins per question in Quants.
3. Some of the basics in Quants are weak (eg. area of Trapezoid)
4. To my surprise my CR is weak too. 2 out of 3 RC passages in the test were easy. So not much to comment on RC.
5. I know for sure SC is my weakest.

I am not depressed with the score, I am just trying to improve. What is the level of complexity of Manhattan and real GMAT. Give your suggestions. (esp. for 1 and 2). I have posted my essays from the test in the Essays forum section, if you have time please review and score.

Argument - https://www.beatthegmat.com/manhattan-ca ... tml#239722

Issue - https://www.beatthegmat.com/manhattan-ca ... tml#239723

My first MGAT CAT Test I got a 590... and that was before I even started my prep class... then I got a 570 (because I spent a lot of time on 2 questions - 12 minutes!)... then the third time, I told myself that I would have to make myself guess if I was spending too much time... and I did just that and got a 620. I know these aren't big jumps, but it was a good confidence booster.

That clock is evil!