GMAT Strategy

Hi,
I have given GMAT in may 2008 and got 530.
When i gave kaplan tests, i got 580,610 scores.
On the test day i was not well and couldn't concentrate much on that.
Please suggest me which is the best time to give gmat.
I am plannig to give it in first half of march.
Please tell me how to improve RCs as well.
I take a bit more time for the same.

Please revert..

Hi there,

Since you did score higher on a few practice exams, that would indicate that you are capable of a better score than your 530. I generally encourage students in your position not to wait too long to re-take, and to continue to maintain their current skills, while spending some extra time on any specific areas they feel they struggle with. However it's already been a while since that exam. So if you are planning to take the test again in March, you should begin your studies in the next couple of weeks, or definitely in Jan.

As for what to do during your study period, it depends a bit on your skill level and what resources you have access to, and have already done.

It’s important to keep focusing on timing, and practicing on the computer, taking about 1 full length CAT per week towards the end of your studies. Keep in mind that even the real GMAT has a +/- 30 point margin of error, or a given score could vary by 30 points on different days, so that plays a role even aside from your additional studying. If you were not well, I'm sure that played a factor in your previous score.

Assess your current skill level and determine what topics and question types you need to focus on the most. As for Reading Comp, you should use a test prep book to determine a strategy for both the passages and question types, and then practice is crucial, under timed pressure, and on the computer as much as possible. Also, be sure to just READ as much as possible between now and test day, in English. The more you read, the more you improve your speed, comprehension, even grammar (for sentence correction.)

Best of luck!

hi

i ve been preparing for the gmat for nearly a month
i have been taking kaplan cats both online and offline
my scores have been in the 580-610 range

i took gmat prep 1 today and i got 710 (50q 37 v)
what is surprising is that i made 10 mistakes in quants and 14 mistakes in verbal .....

in all my kaplan tests i ve managed to get arond 33 right in quants an 30 in verbal .....
so is my score in gmat prep higher than what i should expect ?????

Hi there,

Keep in mind that your GMAT score is calculated using an algorithm that weights not only how many questions you get right and how many wrong, but also the difficulty level of the questions you answer. So you cannot really use # right/wrong as a guideline for scores.

GMAT Prep is a very accurate predictor of GMAT scores, so congrats on a strong score! Just try to learn from each CAT that you take, and identify what it is that you still need to work on.

Good luck!

hey thanks a lot for the clarification

just took gmat prep 2 .... got 720 (51q 36 v)
scores are increasing but my verbal is stuck at 36 37 .... have only 2 days to go what can i do to get better at verbalbetter in verbal ?????

pls help

Hi there,

Sorry I missed your post, I believe you must have taken the exam by now, no? Let us know how you did! A 720 on GMAT Prep is a great score and indicator, and if you do score 700+ you will certainly be competitive at any b-school...the admissions decsion would then be based on your work experience, essays, and other personal factors.

Best,

hey

i did take my gmat and scored a 720 the same score in gmat prep 2
now i am still in my final year of engg and have no work exp
the problem is here we have the % system of scoring and my scores are around 75% so how does it scale in gpa

what are my chances of getting into these universities (if apply after 2 yrs with exp ) ????
rice university
southern methodist univ.
UNC
michigan state
Carneggie mellon

pls give me some advice as to what i can do now !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi there,

Congrats on the excellent GMAT score! Your score is above the average at the schools you mentioned, which is a big plus if/when you apply. It means that you have demonstrated that you can handle the academic rigor of the programs.

It also means that the decision will then be based on your other application factors: your transcripts, work experiences, application essays, references, interview. IF all of those factors are strong/solid, then your chances of acceptance at those programs would be quite good. A lot of the b-school acceptance decision is based on your reasoning in your essays for WHY you want an MBA and how it will fit into your goals, so that will be crucial. 2 years of work experience will be below average, 3-4 would be a bit more solid, but if you can explain why you want the MBA at that point in time, 2 years would generally be the minimum requirement at many schools.

Good luck!