How to score a 700 plus on your GMAT - Tip 1

OK, This is by far one of the best (read easiest) advices you can get to boost your GMAT Test Score. And like any other good advice, it is simple and straightforward.

AIM TO GET A PERFECT QUANTITATIVE SCORE (i.e. 51)

I say this because the math score contributes MORE to the overall GMAT score than the verbal score. You can see that for yourself in the shown graphs that are based on my research of a few hundred actual GMAT scores.

I can also safely say that performing your best on the Math part of the exam will give your score the much needed boost than trying to mug up on english. You can see the fact clearly in the graph below. Look at the graph in the center. Look at the rate of increase of GMAT score as we move left, i.e. higher verbal score. Look at the graph on the right. The rate of increase of GMAT score as we move right, higher math score, is higher than in the previous case.

To further prove this point, lets look at the corresponding GMAT scores and see the effect of flipping the individual scores.

(Scaled Scores)

Math Verbal Total GMAT Score

1) 49 42 750

2) 45 49 760 (I couldnt find a score with Q42, but clearly it would be less than 750)

3) 44 45 720

And obviously, we do know that the amount of effort needed to prepare for the math and the verbal section are not the same. Which one take longer to prepare, I would leave it to you to guess. Btw, did I mention that I read a whole grammar book (in the references section) to prepare for the verbal exam. You can most effectively improve your GMAT score by acing the math exam rather than trying to catch up on the verbal part (SC, CR, RC).

The test does not reward decent performance in both sections (see 3) as much as it awards exceptional performance in one section and average performance in the other.

Contrary to how many people prepare for the GMAT exam (trying to improve their verbal section and overlooking the math), the economics of marginal returns tells us that it is wise to MASTER your MATH before working on the verbal section of the GMAT.