640(49q 29 v) in GMAT :(

[magnetronclassic]

640(49q 29 v) in gmat

Hi Guys,

I finished my GMATexam this wednesday with a dissapointing score of 640(49q, 29 v). I am pretty dissapointed with my verbal score of 29 after all the hardwork that I did to improve on this section.

GMAT PREPARATION MATERIAL

Quants:- Official Guide 11, OG 10, questions from this forum

Verbal:- Official Guide 11, 0G 10, Manhattan Sentence Correction guide and questions from this forum

Practice Test Scores

GMAT PREP 1 - 690
GMAT PREP 2 - 640
GMAT PREP 3 - 720( 2 questions repeated in the verbal section)
GMAT PREP 4 - 720( 3 questions repeated in the verbal section)

Manhattan GMAT 1 - 600
Manhattan GMAT 2 - 640
Manhattan GMAT 3 - 660
Manhattan GMAT 4 - 670
Manhattan GMAT 5 - 640
Manhattan GMAT 6 - 700

I found the quants section of the Manhattan tests always tougher than the GMAT prep and real GMAT questions but these tests provided excellent explanation for each and every question(both in quants and verbal section) and helped me a lot in my strategy and preparation.

G-day experience

I started the AWA section nervously. Adapted myself with the test environment in 5-6 minutes and then went on well with this section.

The quants section started well and I answered most of the questions confidently apart from some lengthy questions which I had to guess because I was short of time. After the quants section I knew that I hadn't given done my best but was sure that I will get a score of 49 in this section.

The verbal section had a jittery start with all the pressure on me as I knew that this was the section which I had to ace if I really needed a score above 700 in the exam. After answering the first 3-4 questions I adjusted myself with the exam and was going pretty confidently(ironically I was wrong as my verbal score suggests).

I finished the verbal section on time expecting a score around 700(atleast 39 in verbal) but was really dissapointed after I saw my score of 640.

I had two things running on mind when I saw the screen - this score will not take me anywhere(atleast not to the college where I am planning to go) and I have to retake the GMAT exam and ace the english section next time.

I hope that I will be able to overcome the trauma of english in my next attempt.

[mitzi]

Dear magnetronclassic,

I am sorry to hear that the score did not meet your expectation.

Have you thought about what subsection of verbal needed to be improved? reading comprehension, critical reasoning, SC?

As per SC, absolutely active participation to SC forum is powerful.
As per critical reasoning, have you considered reviewing PowerCR Bible? I read it twice with some interval. it seems pretty good. During my first round, I was busy reading, not digesting.

During the second time, I actually digest each page. It helps me a lot to get a gist of the question/tactics. If you don't have it, please send me a message with your email. I will send you a copy.
(what I have is a copy of LSAT critical reasoning, but it is duplicated to GMAT critical reasoning except one section which is not required to GMAT)

about reading comprehension, my correctness on OG10,11 was around 67%. So I found myself not knowing the name of game. so I studied Kaplan to get some tactics and applied them into OG again. It helped the accuracy and speed. One thing that I have be aware of is to spend 3 minutes to science passage. I still feel littel bit anxious when encounter science passages. so I have been 'super alert' to see science passages and track details down.

Hey, get some fresh air and enjoy this weekend by watching movies, drinking, games such beer pong with friends to get steam off.

Empty your brain first and get back to study. You will get it.
I remember reading a participant's debrief. He took 7 times and finally got a 740. He started about 560. My hat's off to his perservance like a bulldog.

Great job! chip up and walk straight. You passed no point of return!!

Best regards,
Mitzi

[magnetronclassic]

Hi Mitzi,

Thanks a lot for your valuable feedback.

I feel that all the three sections need improvement for me. The main problem with me has been my inconsistency in the verbal section, sometimes I score really well in the verbal section and sometimes I do not meet my target.

For sentence correction I have been though the Manhattan Sentence correction guide twice and am aware of most of the rules mentioned in the guide. The main problem that I face is performing well under exam pressure for SC questions. I think this can be improved by more and more practice. I am usually a silent spectator in the verbal section.of this forum. Now on I will try to be an active member of this forum.

For critical reasoning section I went through the powescore critical reasoning GMAT guide once, but the main problem I faced while answering the GMAT questions is that when I faced the real questions under timed conditions I forgot all the rules and went by the argument and attacked it. So couldn't use the knowledge gained from the book much . May be I must go through the rules once again as you said. I felt the number of practice questions in the book was less. I will pm you my mail id so that I can have a look at the LSAT bible and compare the two.

Reading comprehension has been the most inconsistent section for me. Sometimes I get all the questions correct and sometimes I get only 1 out of 3/4 questions correct.

I feel that I need to improve my overall strike rate in english section and this can be achieved by more and more practice.

Thanks a lot for your response again!!!!!

Regards,
MC

[mitzi]

Hi magnetronclassic,

About SC, I found that Manhattan is a great book(No question on it). I couldn't even understand OG's explanation for the first time, so I started with Manhattan to get a firm ground of SC. After that OG's explanation does not look that esoteric.

However, Manhattan provides us with a good foundation, but not enough to jump exceptions/more advanced level.

Manhattan does not say anything about participle, gerund, and a comma splice. Another one is a modifier. although Manhattan comments about a regular modifier, but no comment on 'resumptive or summative modifier' you see these types. Two options are absolutely free of grammar error, but one use 'which' relative pronoun, the other is using a resumptive modifier. etc

then how do I tell which one is better than the other?

It seems that these many subtle difference makes a good divider that who gets 700+ in terms of SC.

Since you have a master of SC, please expose yourself to sub-forum to meet odd/subtle questions and to see how other participants see this. It helps me tremendously.

Another one for SC is brutal SC. I think you can download from esnsips..
(I think that effective-factor in SC section posted it in the tread)

Delve into 1) relative pronoun 2) ellipsis 3) participles 4) meaning.

Without considering the meaning of what the author intended to deliver, grammartical error has a limitation to pick best answer.
approach the questions with a) grammatical error b) meaning.

One thing that I always remind of myself 'who does what' and then 'why, when, how' I know it is very simple. it helps me figure the intended meaning.

Good luck to you!

Mitzi

[magnetronclassic]

Hi Mitzi,

Thanks a lot for your guidance.

I was under the impression that Manhattan SC guide will help me gain complete mastery of the SC section of GMAT but as you said correctly there are so many other factors to be considered for 700+ questions.

I will follow the steps mentioned by you above(download Brutal SC and look for the topics mentioned by you seperately)

Do you think that going through Wren and Martin grammar book for all the topics in the OG will really be helpful for me?

This post is really helpful. Thanks a lot!!!!!

Regards,
MC

[mitzi]

Hi Magnetronclassic,

I am unaware of Wren and Martin grammar book. I keep a good grammar book used in High school. Instead of a generic grammar book, why don't you use online source to strengthen what you need to improve? such as participle, relative pronoun etc.

Hope it help!
Mitzi

[StephanieThao]

Come on...When you have the new result, post us know

Originally Posted by magnetronclassic

640(49q 29 v) in gmat

Hi Guys,

I finished my GMATexam this wednesday with a dissapointing score of 640(49q, 29 v). I am pretty dissapointed with my verbal score of 29 after all the hardwork that I did to improve on this section.

GMAT PREPARATION MATERIAL

Quants:- Official Guide 11, OG 10, questions from this forum

Verbal:- Official Guide 11, 0G 10, Manhattan Sentence Correction guide and questions from this forum

Practice Test Scores

GMAT PREP 1 - 690
GMAT PREP 2 - 640
GMAT PREP 3 - 720( 2 questions repeated in the verbal section)
GMAT PREP 4 - 720( 3 questions repeated in the verbal section)

Manhattan GMAT 1 - 600
Manhattan GMAT 2 - 640
Manhattan GMAT 3 - 660
Manhattan GMAT 4 - 670
Manhattan GMAT 5 - 640
Manhattan GMAT 6 - 700

I found the quants section of the Manhattan tests always tougher than the GMAT prep and real GMAT questions but these tests provided excellent explanation for each and every question(both in quants and verbal section) and helped me a lot in my strategy and preparation.

G-day experience

I started the AWA section nervously. Adapted myself with the test environment in 5-6 minutes and then went on well with this section.

The quants section started well and I answered most of the questions confidently apart from some lengthy questions which I had to guess because I was short of time. After the quants section I knew that I hadn't given done my best but was sure that I will get a score of 49 in this section.

The verbal section had a jittery start with all the pressure on me as I knew that this was the section which I had to ace if I really needed a score above 700 in the exam. After answering the first 3-4 questions I adjusted myself with the exam and was going pretty confidently(ironically I was wrong as my verbal score suggests).

I finished the verbal section on time expecting a score around 700(atleast 39 in verbal) but was really dissapointed after I saw my score of 640.

I had two things running on mind when I saw the screen - this score will not take me anywhere(atleast not to the college where I am planning to go) and I have to retake the GMAT exam and ace the english section next time.

I hope that I will be able to overcome the trauma of english in my next attempt.