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rkkarthik
Course Students
 
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:20 am
 

Verbal Strategy - Need an instructors opinion

by rkkarthik Thu Apr 22, 2010 2:59 am

Hello there!

I just completed my 9 sessions and a 750 Quest for SC; I am looking for a score greater than 45+ scaled score in the GMAT Verbal section.

During a recent 750 quest session, I attended the lead instructor made a very effective point that you have to be Strong overall but should have a niche skill and should almost get everything right on at least one of the sections.

My SC is improving slowly but my proportion of correct questions is still a bit flaky. After the instructors (Mike Kim's) recommendation I went back to OG to do some CR
(Honestly, I have never spent time working on CR and RC problems due to my deficit on quantitative and SC skills.)


My results were pretty consistent, around 1 3/4 minutes per question or less and an average of over 85% accuracy for the OG problems in the verbal guide 2nd edition.

With less than a week to my GMAT date, should I focus on my CR questions and tap some additional tests / practice questions to improve my verbal score? Your prompt response will be highly appreciated as the date is closing on quickly. Thanks much!

Warm regards,
KK
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9359
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

Re: Verbal Strategy - Need an instructors opinion

by StaceyKoprince Thu Apr 29, 2010 9:58 pm

I think we may have missed your test date; I'm sorry we didn't get to this in time.

FYI for future: questions such as this one can be asked in the General folder (not General Verbal - just overall General). That folder is for questions about General Strategy and those questions get answered within about 3 to 4 business days. As you've seen, it takes longer to get answers to questions posted in this folder.

I will answer anyway, though, in case you postponed your test or in case someone else is in a similar situation in future.

First, let me say: wow, nice job on CR and RC. Second, a 45 on verbal already represents the 98th percentile, which is an amazing score; is there a particular reason you feel you need a score higher than that? (Or are you just setting a high goal for yourself?)

As a general rule, the last 5 to 7 days before the official test are best spent in overall comprehensive review. For most people, it usually doesn't pay off to try to learn new things in the final few days. The one exception is when someone is at the very high end of the range (as you appear to be).

You haven't provided any data about your quant or your overall scoring goals, though, so I can't say whether the best path is to focus on verbal. Depending upon your quant performance and your goals, your time may be best spent primarily on quant with some attention (but less) given to verbal.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep