1st Attempt Score 390, Completely Depressed, Please help

Question

I completely bombed this 1st attempt, I struggled for a month and a half studying, on my PR, GMATPrep, I was doing ok, I just wanted a 550 or better. I was so tired during the exam, I guess I need more stamina and more studies. I didn't do good either on the Quant or Verbal.

On the way back home, wife got a speeding ticket, its was a terrible day. I booked another date in October 2008, I want to get into UCLA/USC/Berkely and I need to score at least 700 now in my second attempt. My wife is very supportive and I am very determined. Please guide me. What courses should I take online, what methodology I should use, how should I pace myself, I have a good 6 months more before my 2nd attempt. I did well in my undergrad, GPA 3.6, I am a Petroleum Engineer and think I am smart enough, but this GMAT kicked my butt.

Show me the way Please

Tarmac · Answer

Don't lose hope. You should be taking timed CAT tests, only then will you know what level you are scoring at. There is a lot of debate about the accuracy of these tests, but most people agree that the better ones are within +/- 100 pts. Once you are scoring 600+ on the CATs, you will be ready to take a chance at 700. Not before. If you are scoring 450 on CATs there is no logical reason to believe you can suddenly score 700 on a real test.

Nihit · Answer

Well, don't lose heart. People have scored 700 plus after they were bombed in the first attempt.I think someone in the forum progressed from 400 to 700 . So yeah, dude , its not Rocket science :-)

. I am in the same boat as you. Cheers

terp26 · Answer

Well what was your Q/V breakdown? Go through your study process. What sections hurt you the most? What were your practice scores?

It is possible to do, check some of the success story threads, however it won't be easy. The good news is you have a lot of room for improvement and for you to improve to a 550-600 probably will take you 1-2 months if you follow a good study plan, are committed and understand math. You probably need to learn a lot of the basics. The climb from 600 to 700, well that is probably the harder climb to make in my opinion.

Maxwell · Answer

Tarmac: Thank you for your encouragement, I will work on timed CAT scoring. Yes I was scoring around 500 and was hoping for a 550, now that I have failed, I am more determined to get a 700+ on a second attempt. I will take an online course or something and work at it. I have six months before my next attempt

Nihit/Terp26: Thank you for making me feel good. I will bounce back, work more and get an online course, I think I need it. I need some discipline. I will get back to you guys with the details of my scores, I didn't bother to look at them, they sucked.

bsd_lover · Answer

Hey buddy - sh*t happens - dont let this test get you down. You will find several examples of people improving their performance in a second (or even a third) attempt. For instance positive_soul, who is now at wharton, improved his score from 420 to 700 : viewtopic.php?t=35919.

Good luck.

Maxwell · Answer

Thank you bsd_lover, I read the article by positive_soul, really amazing, I am all positive now, time to work and make a big comeback. This has sobered me as a person

missbrooklyn · Answer

Sooo sorry to hear!! I am terribly scared of this exam....I am taking it in 3 days and it will be my first time!! I have a feeling I won't do too good either... :cry:

Don't worry, you are not alone!! People here are really helpful... and the stories are amazing... (the success stories...great inspiration)

GMAT4Lyfe · Answer

dont worry man, its a gradual process, i remember I took the GMAT without doing much research other than buying the princeton review book and studying it for 2 weeks, I scored a 390 thinking the exam cant be that difficult, needless to say it was a very different test than any other exam...through serious studying i rased my score to 550, no I am aiming at 650+ in my next retake...just want to show that a 390 isnt the end of the world

keep the faith!

TheRob · Answer

Hello Buddy!!

Well If you feel bad about let me tell you something...

One year ago I just downloaded the GMAT Prep test and I thought well let-s see how good I am, and guess what I got a terrible 250, yes this is true 250. So I thought well I am not even close after that I thought well some factors ma affect my performance on the test and I didn-t study at all during that month but I decided to do the same test again and I got a 350 still very low... So I thought seriously of preparing the GMAT and finally I decided to do it and I started a Marathon

This test is crappy and you have to work hard. After being one year studying the last score the I got was a 520 from Kaplan not bad if you consider that you come from a 350!!! I would say that at that time when I got that 250 I coudln-t even know how to multiply but the thing is that I was soooo rusty. Now I feel bette rbut still a loooooong way to get the final goal

So don-t get dissapointef you can really do it and you are not alone keep trying

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1st Attempt Score 390, Completely Depressed, Please help

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