itsmejulz wrote:
Hi all. So, I am debating if I should even bother taking the GMAT a third time. First let me break down my study program.
First GMAT prep test, I rushed it and didn't even bother to answer the questions. The score was horrible a 380. It's pathetic, I know. That was back in April. From there I decided to get a tutor. The tutor was awesome. The tutor guided me through quant and verbal for about 7 months.
I had to take my first GMAT test in June because I was trying to apply for a program that was being offered the military. Minimum score to get into the program was 400. Very low score. My first GMAT score was a 460 Q26 V27 AWA 5.0. I know it's bad, but I needed it to try to get into the program, but I wanted to retake the test again so that I may apply for a MBA program.
I then studied with my tutor for a few more months to at least break into the 500 score. However, my GMAT Prep scores showed otherwise.
480
480
510
480
450
2nd GMAT 430 Q31 V 20 AWA 6.0 IR COMPLETE FAIL ....I just stared at my screen REALLY REALLY UPSET. I put so much work into studying for this GMAT...and still failed..
I am not even sure if it is worth bothering to apply for a MBA program now, because what schools will accept me.
My tutor believe that my anxiety is getting the best of me. I honestly thought that I was doing well when I started the test. I am not that strong in quant, I am decent. Verbal is bad.
I want to apply to University of Manoa: Shidler Business School, but their preferred GMAT score is a 550.
Should I try a third time or give up? I've been studying for about 7 months, invested about $7,000-$9,000, which includes tutor, books, test prep software, and testing fees. My husband paid for everything and I feel really bad that his money was wasted on my lousy and pathetic scores. I don't even know anymore.
Please help.
Determined, but falling apart at the deadly hands of the GMAT
We believe that anyone can score well on GMAT provided they are ready to put in time and effort. I don't see why you can't do the same.
I am guessing that your question "Should I try a third time or give up?" is rhetorical. You are probably looking for guidance on how to approach it the third time. And yes, you know what hasn't worked till now so you need to change your method. A 430 makes me think that your concepts are shaky. This means that what you need right now is not a GMAT tutor but instead a high school Math book, a basic grammar book and lots of standard reading material (at least 2-3 hrs everyday). You need to revise your basics thoroughly. Once you have a handle on these, you can move on to GMAT specific material.
Anxiety gets the best of you when you don't understand what is going on. You know you have to do this, this and this but you don't know why. This means that if the problem is a little different from what you anticipated, you will not have a clue. If you understand well, you KNOW you can handle any situation and that helps you keep your cool. Of course, everyone feels a little bit of pressure during the test and hence may not perform according to his/her capability but since everyone feels it, you have a level playing field.