Hi all.
Took my first shot at GMAT today. Got 640 (48Q, 28V). I am a CPA. Have applied to NTU - NBS, Texas A&M, NUS, Northwestern Uni - Kellogg, Insead. Want to pursue MBA in Finance
Before the test, my only aptitude tests were 2 GMAT preps and one had many questions repeated (640 before starting the preps, 700 repeat, 710 another repeat).
During the real test, I thought I was doing well above my potential, but when seemingly easy level questions were appearing, I felt conversely. Anyway, I utilized the two 8-minute breaks very well. I am extremely disappointed with verbal, and quant could have been 50. In all my GMAT preps and mini tests, I had never scored below 32 (32, 33 & 38) in verbal.
My problem has always been CR & RC. But I believe I paid the most attention than ever during the test, and was fairly satisfied with passages and CR. Nonetheless, cannot get over the shock. And do not know how to improve. Hindi is my native language and I believe it does have a bearing on the score, because, throughout my life, I have been running away from reading comprehensions. And when I do CR or RC, I cannot comprehend most of the part, because of difficult language and choice of words. How can I improve this? Can someone help me here, I mean I had taken coaching. Still, 28??
I try to read news on world politics, finance and other current affairs and to analyze as much as I can. Hope this helps someday.

Now, I definitely plan to take another test soon, but only after I am sure that I will not falter in verbal this badly. Because a person can get exhausted and demoralized after 2 attempts. I chose the 5 colleges in a way that I would have a good mix of countries and accepted scores.
Please let me know whether this score is competitive or I shall go all out for the test once again.