Suggested Study Plan After Sub-Optimal GRE

GRE General
1

I took my first real exam this past weekend and got a 160Q. I was hoping for something closer to 167/68, as I’d like to go to an econ PhD, and any score below 165 is usually an easy filter out.

Before my actual exam, I took the PP 1&2 exams for the shorter exam. I got 170Q on the first and 161Q on the second. Seems like the first PP was a fluke, or I just got lucky with the questions.

During the exam, I flew through the first quant section with plenty of time to review, but on the second I did horribly. There were at least 3-4 questions that I really struggled with, and overall each question took me more time and I ended up running out of time. This is exactly how my PP2 exam went.

Looking back, I now know how to solve nearly all of the questions that tripped me up. Although, my overall issue was that my efficiency in solving was not good enough, and I got “mind block” during the exam. Clearly, when the questions are easier I can do well (the first quant on my exam), but when the difficulty is increased I struggle.

I’m debating trying again in 3 weeks, and was wondering what the recommended study plan should be going forward. I did GregMat’s 1-month plan, all quant quizzes on GregMat, and nearly all the practice problems in the GRE official books. I spent the last week before the exam doing only timed practice, but that doesn’t seem to have helped. Would love any insight as to what I might have done wrong in my studying, if it is worth it to retake (is it reasonable to believe I can get around 167/68?), and if so how I should adjust my study plan.

2

is there any particular topic or specific question type that is giving you issues ?

3

I pulled out your quiz logs on GregMAT, and they suggest inconsistency. I have a feeling that your time management strategy isn’t optimal - seems like you need to be better to skip questions in particular.

4

I skipped a lot of questions on the actual GRE (at least 3-4). I guess one problem is I would sometimes start a problem and then realize after a minute I didn’t quite know what was going on - but the problem is at the start of the question I was confident I could solve and I shouldn’t skip.
When you say my quizzes suggest inconsistency, what do you mean by that? I take too long to solve?

5

No particular part, although the probability ones did trip me up. It just seemed that generally I took too long to solve problems, and I failed to see “shortcuts” or tricks. Any advice on improving these skills? I am still doing constant practice problems (5 lb. , gregmat), but maybe I need to be better at doing practice.

6

I meant that you scores were varying quite a bit. For instance, you got a 16/20 in Full Quant Section #8 (~167) but only a 13 in Full Quant Section #9 (~159). That difference is quite significant.

7

Hey cameronpic, I’m also applying to econ PhD programs and got 160Q when I sat the GRE last week. Would you like to get in touch and work together on resitting in 3 weeks time?