pacifist85 wrote:
Hello,
I have a question for you... I just took the GMAT today and scored 420. Percentile 16 in math and percentile 26 in verbal. My background is in psychology, so I am nowhere close to your experience with math. I learned these math through the gmat basically, from scratch. A bit of info, so you get an idea of you I am!
Now, I did do three practice tests. The first one I did after about 1 1/2 months of practice. I got a 560 (veritas prep). I looked at my responses and realised that I make a lot of mistakes in DS questions and a lot of random ridiculous mistakes. For the verbal I hadn't ptacticed at all, and it was better than the quantitative part, but still not that good. I then focused on math and a tiny bit on verbal, just practicing with some more questions.
I did a second test a few days later (gmat test) and got a 570. A tiny bit better, but basically the same and same mistakes. I then decided to focus on the verbal, in which I am better, knowing that I can improve it a lot. So, I didn't do any math again that time. I spent about 5 days during which I was looking into concepts in verbal and strategies to tackle the verbal part. I then retook the test and scored 620. The result showed that the same problems persisted in the quantitative part (mistakes mostly in DS, and very stupid ones. So, things you know, but tend to ignore when responding to the questions). But my verbal part improve a lot. It was around 60% and now it was at 81%. Epsecially when it comes to texts I had improved a lot, using strategies to "outline" the text and keep brief notes.
I still had 1 week before my actual gmat date. So, I focused on DS questions (especially number properties, that was my weakest point) for the following 4 days, and on revising the 2 days before the exam.
I took the exam today, and got a 420.. Epsecially the verbal part confused me a lot. I was asnwering the questions and then I look at the time. I had 30 minutes left and was at about question 15. I panicked. This had NEVER happened to me before. Even the first time that I took the GMAT, I guess all of my score was dure to verbal, as I had score at 2% for the math (remember, I had zero knowlegde and had practiced for one week because of a deadline, while I was working at the same time).
At the moment I am terribly confused. I have no idea as to how to explain what happened today. There were some issues in the test center:
1) I started 1 hour after the scheduled time, because there was no internet connection and she could connect with gmac. She spoke to perason and they couldn't say when the problem was going to get fixed. Well, after one hour I started the exam.
2) The marker I was given had a very thick edge, which required that I use large characters so that they would be clear. I didn't think of it as a problem at that moment. However, when I had about 15 more questions to go I realised that I only have one page left. I raised my hand as I was supposed to. I answer about 10 more questions raising and lowering my hand every now and then. She never came. I just gave up and used every empty space I could find in my scrap book.
3) I decided to take the optional brake before the verbal. Once again, hand raised for 2 minutes. Girl never came. I stood up on my own as I really had to use the toilet and only had 6 minutes left. When I left the room she saw me and casually asked "Oh are you taking a brake"?
Then I went back in and contunied with the test.
I refuse to believe that this is my level of knowledge. The score seems to be extremely lower. Do you think this is normal? I want to retake the exam next week (even though I won't be able to get an official score), because I am applying to a phd in consumer behavior and the dealdine has already passed..
Would you say that retaking tht gmat in 1 week from now is logical? Could it be just a bad day - perhaps too much stress - and a second test could possibly be better? Should I just assume that the practice tests are not reflecting reality or that they are so far apart from reality?
Not sure what to think at the moment...
Dear
pacifist85,
I'm happy to respond.
First of all, I would urge you to complain about the way you were treated at the testing center. Register a formal complaint. I would recommend this form:
https://www.mba.com/us/service/contact-us.aspxNot giving you another scratch pad when you raised your hand, not seeing you when you raised your hand for a bathroom break --- that is simply inexcusable. I would also recommend calling the test center, asking to speak to a manager, and personally letting that manager know of the irregularities on the day you took the test.
Now, as far as your performance, read this blog:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2014/lower-on- ... ice-tests/If you also read the linked articles at the bottom and put some of those practices into effect, it will really help you.
I definitely think you should take a retake, although I think one week is way too soon. First of all, you need some time to integrate the stress-reduction practices recommended in those blogs. Learning to manage stress takes time. Furthermore, a good thorough review of all the content and strategy would be very helpful.
Here's a one-month study-plan:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/1-month-gm ... -schedule/If you follow that, and take the test again a month from now, you will be quite ready for the test.
Does all this make sense?
Mike
Thank you so much Mike! I really appreciate your help! I will definitely have a look at those links - already doing!