The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a vital stepping stone for many aspirants looking to enter top-tier business schools. However, getting a high score often needs a mix of smart study, patience, and knowing where you went wrong.
Let’s look at a student’s story as a case study, who scored a good 710 but aims for even higher – GMAT 740 (Q49, V41), and see what expert advice can help to go from GMAT 710 to 740.
>> Take a free mock test today to identify your weak areas and receive a comprehensive feedback report on your performance.
A Student’s Journey (Case Study)
A dedicated student, despite achieving a respectable 710 on the GMAT, felt the potential to push boundaries further with a target score of 740 (Q49, V41). Having experienced inconsistent prep and potential test-day distractions, the student sought expert’s insights on their Enhanced Score Report (ESR).
The Journey So Far
Here is the student’s journey:
- Sole reliance on Official Guide (OG) questions before his first attempt, where he scored GMAT 650 (Q44, V35).
- Then started using e-GMAT but it was inconsistent verbal preparation over six months, emphasizing a meaning-based approach.
- Exhausting all the verbal bank without strategic planning.
- Burnout from work and prolonged verbal prep.
- After a month’s break, shift to Magoosh for Quant preparation.
- In the last 15 days till exam -Daily practice of OG and Official material questions using the GMAT Club forum quizzes.
- Perceived low accuracy on medium-level quant questions. Scored 710 on GMAT.
Student’s ESR with GMAT 710
Key Challenges Identified
- Limited accuracy in medium-level quant questions.
- Distractions during the test.
- Absence of an error log for tracking mistakes and understanding them.
The Plan ahead
Student is planning to retake the exam within the next 30 days, without loosing the current study momentum.
Improvement Strategy by Expert – GMAT 710 to 740
After reviewing the ESR and understanding the student’s preparation journey, Rajat, a top GMAT expert, offered a tailored approach.
Please watch this video to get a detailed perspective on Rajat’s recommendations:
ESR Review
The student secured a commendable quant score, but there’s significant room for improvement to reach the desired scores of Q49 and V41. While there’s potential to fine-tune the verbal score, Rajat’s primary suggestion is to concentrate on enhancing the quant performance. In the verbal domain, the student faces hurdles in Critical Reasoning (CR), especially in tackling causal arguments. Addressing this challenge could potentially boost their CR proficiency from 77 to 85, targeting an aggregate score of V44.
Quant Improvement Plan
Quant is the critical area for attention here, with arithmetic posing a larger concern than algebraic geometry, although both need improvement. Data sufficiency also presents a problem, possibly due to spending less time on it. The identified timing issues seem to stem more from a lack of ability than pure timing challenges.
Here are two suggested approaches to improve quant score:
1. Focused Practice Grinding it out through focused practice could help elevate your quant score from Q46 to Q49.
2. Targeted Approach: Alternatively, extending e- GMAT account for a more targeted approach is advisable. e- GMAT features a PACE system, which includes a series of diagnostics that build a custom course for you based on your performance. This system ensures you focus only on the areas you need to improve, potentially saving time and making your study process efficient.
Key recommendations for the quant improvement plan include:
- Specific Focus Areas: Focus on number properties and word problems in arithmetic, and on geometry in algebraic geometry.
- Intensive Effort: Put intensive effort into quant for the next 15 days to raise your quant score, followed by a 15-day period for revision and maintenance of what you’ve learned.
- Testing Strategy: Maintain your quant improvements and approach the test without any pressure, aiming for a 740 score.
By following these steps and focusing on the identified areas for improvement, you can position yourself well to reach from GMAT 710 to 740 or even surpass your target scores.
Happy Learning!
Begin your GMAT preparation with the only prep company that has delivered more 700+ scores than any other GMAT club partner. Achieve GMAT 740+ with our AI driven tools that you personalized feedback at every step of your GMAT journey. Take our free trial today!
