So after 6 months of studying on and off I finally took the GMAT this past weekend and failed. I was about 43% percentile on verbal and 10% percentile on quant. It has been pretty hard for me to study due to 50-60 hour work weeks and top of that I travel for work which the hours are not built into my schedule, but that is why I started studying 6 months ago.

I was pretty confident going into it from going through all of the below materials. I completed all of the problem sets in the verbal/math guides, used an error log broken out by question category(i.e. find assumption,triangle geometry,etc.), took all 6 of the MGMAT CATs and both GMAT Prep CATS. And went through the MGMAT series based on my weaknesses multiple times.

I was consistently receiving above 600s on my MGMAT CATs.. I believe I received a 400 something(first practice exam) and a 550 on my GMAT prep cats. I don't remember off the top of my head all of the scores but they were in that range.

I used the below set of books during my studies.
Books
MGMAT Verbal Guide
MGMAT Math Guide
MGMAT OG 12
MGMAT Series

I started the test with a really easy essay topic. I felt like I got off to a really good start. I also felt like the IR section came really easy to me. My confidence was sky high going into the Math Section considering the essay and IR is what I barely prepared for. I don't know what got into me but I started doing things that I wasn't doing on the practice exams(maybe it was because it was the real thing and i was nervous), but I was double checking answers.... doing a lot of long division... going through all of the answers... reassuring myself that I was correct.... before I knew it I was running out of time and I had 9 questions left with about 5 minutes left to go and I started just guessing. After I knew that I was screwed from this... I got really nervous and didn't do that well on the verbal.

I am honestly just looking to score above a 600. I have a pretty good set of credentials which will help me get into Bschool. It's just the GMAT that is holding me back at this point. I am completely crushed by my score. I feel like all of the time I have put in has been worthless. I need some advice on how to rebound from this. I don't want to give up but I am completely burnt out from studying and work. Should I take time off from the test and take a second attempt next spring when my work hours decrease? Should I maybe take a class? Should I take another crack at it in a month and work on my timing? I am not sure what to do at this point.

I took the test last Wednesday and scored 470. My score from kaplan is around 580. 100 points difference, I was devastated. The pressure is doubled when you do the real test Nevertheless, i wont give up. You can find lots of encouraging stories here. Dont give up. you are not alone.
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Hi Big4Advisory,

I can understand your situation, but no need to be disheartened. You have a good job and great credentials, which will be really helpful in securing a seat at a good B-School. But, at the same time your job consumes almost all the time that you may have for your prep.

You should take a break for a week or so, and then start afresh. First why aim for 600, try for a 650+ score. Seeing your score, I feel that you were not able to devote proper time practicing questions because of your busy schedule. A score of 460 means that you really need to go through the basics once again before diving into the standard study material. I also think that, again because of your busy schedule, you may not have done proper analysis of the practice CATs that you took. I suggest that you start your prep with MGMAT foundations books (both verbal and quant).

Well, a score of 600 could be possible in a month's time, if you have enough time for your prep; but I don't think your current situation allows that. If possible chill for a week or two and take another 4 - 5 months time for your prep. Make sure to be consistent in your prep and keep on applying the concepts that you learn. GMAT is an application based exam, so you need to first understand the concepts, and then perfect their applications. A major chunk of your prep time, around 60 - 70%, should be devoted to practicing and analyzing the questions, preferably the official ones and the mock CAT questions. Take another practice test after a month and thoroughly analyze it; remember that you take the test not just to access your level, but to find out how you can improve further.

Try to complete the foundations books in the first 3 -4 weeks --> Take the first practice CAT + analyze (redo every incorrect question, determine your weak areas) --> Start the study material ( if you are using MGMAT guides then finish all its basic chapters first + related OG questions, then the advanced chapters) --> practice --> practice --> revision --> practice

take a practice test every 2 - 3 weeks + its analysis and again find out your areas of improvements. Do maintain an error log; it could just be a list of all the questions you got incorrect, but an error log, you must have. This will prove to be an ideal revision tool.

Above all, stay positive and motivated, you will achieve your target score. All the best !!!

Hope this helps,

Vercules
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