130 POINT INCREASE!
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14 Jan 2005, 16:01
yes, it can be done. the GMAT is a fairly nasty, random little test,
and it really is almost impossible to tell how you're doing during the test.
i was ABOUT TO CANCEL MY SECOND SCORE at the very end because i thought i had squeezed out another turd of a score.
i moved the mouse back and forth between "Report" and "Cancel."
finally, i had the guts to hit "Report." i figured even if i did poorly, the score would tell me something valuable for use next time i took the test.
two lessons:
1. don't freak out during the test: if you think there is even a .001% chance you did ok, despite an overwhelming sentiment to the contrary, report the scores and get your score. don't puss out.
having said that, as soon as i answered question 7 wrong on the math section, i realized my mistake and was sort of distracted by that. (remember, in a DS question, if you can safely answer NO to a question, that is just as sufficient as answering YES). just keep going and stay optimistic. worst case scenario: shell out more money and take the thing again.
2. if you get a **** first (or second) score, don't despair. i read that advice on here myself some months ago after my lousy performance.
what did i do differently?
well, not much. i studied part of Kaplan's GMAT 800 (so-so at best, math section not that challenging, even for me) and GRUBER'S GUIDE TO THE SAT, 9TH ED. check that book out. yes, it's an SAT book, but the math in it is some of the best prep material i've seen.
kaplan class sucked. jump through their hoops to meet their money-back guarantee.
someone on craigslist recommended the SAT book to me. and now i do the same.
still, i sort of dusted through that book, too.
i gotta say, mostly it seems it was just random luck.
so, keep taking that sucker if you have to, particularly if, like me,
you know in your heart you can do better.