The Real GMAT Disaster

Hi,

I am sure most of you would have read about how bad or good real GMAT scores went. I want to share my experience too and request your suggestion.

Around August 2013, I started preparing for GMAT, my exam day was scheduled on 5th November, 2014. I spent around 2 hours on weekdays and 7- 8 hours on weekends. I used the following books:
- OG 13th Edition
- Kaplan premier
- Kaplan 800

I have taken the following GMAT practice tests (all timed and in almost real exam scenarios)
25.08.2013 - GMAT prep 1 580(44Q 27V)
- Kaplan Diagnostic 590 (45Q 27V)
- GMAT prep 1 (retake) 600(46Q 27V)
- Kaplan CAT 2 600
- Kaplan CAT 3 680 (49Q 27V)
- Kaplan CAT 4 630
- Kaplan CAT 5 660
- Kaplan CAT 1 (retake) 680
25.10.2013- MGMAT CAT 1 580 (44Q 27V)
02.11.2013- MGMAT CAT 2 680 (47Q 37V)
04.11.2013- GMAT prep 2 660(49Q 34V)

Real GMAT (05.11.2013)- 590 (44Q 27V). I was shocked to see my result. I could not believe how this score was possible.
I have decided that I will retake the exam. However, even if I take my exam in 31 days, I will still lose applying to some colleges. Taking the exam later would mean I lost my chance for admission in Fall 2014 and can only apply for Fall 2015 (as I found out PhD in Marketing donot have Spring intake in all coleeges)

Please suggest!

Also, looking back I realized, main problem I faced in real GMAT was that I was nervous all throughout- right from AWA to verbal; I could not concentrate. First of all in AWA, I barely finished revising my essay. In IR also, I could not focus on the problems and ended up not completing the last question. Due to this by the time the first break, I was already nervous. I tried concentrating on Quants. 10 minutes down the line, I realized that I am doing lot more calculations than I actually do. My confidence dropped further. At the end of Quants section, I knew things are going south. In verbal also, I was not sure of the answer choices and remembered none of the tips and tricks I learned or practised. And the end result was a disastrous 590.

Please suggest, when I can retake the exam and also what I can do to improve. I do not want to give up!