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04 Feb 2016, 13:36
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Hi Everyone,
So I have not been too active on this site as far as interaction is concerned. I guess that needs to change...something needs to change after today.
I took my first shot at the GMAT today and received a disappointing score of 590 (Q36,V34)
. I cannot even put into words how discouraged I am after putting in two months of hard work and coming up so short.
I started my GMAT journey in the middle of November. I began with a cold practice exam (free GMAT prep 1) to get an idea of where I stood and scored a 460 (Q24,V30)...that was a little disheartening. However, I knew that it was not about where I started, it was about where I finished.
I purchased my study materials which were- Full set of OG study materials, Kaplan's Math Workbook, MGMAT SC, and MGMAT Algebra.
In the beginning of my journey I was doing many problems, but I was not reviewing them to the depth I should have. I know that I was kind of half assing the review because I felt that if I did more problems then I would be exposed to a larger variety of questions and I would score better....my logic was not correct.
About a month ago, I changed my study method drastically. I created a daily to do list every morning before classes to focus on my weaknesses and I would review my incorrect questions on Practice exams, but dramatically decreased the number of new problems I was completing. My study for the last month pretty much went: Practice exam, review, review, redo incorrect problems, new practice exam. I felt it was working since there was an increase in my score.
My Mgmat scores went as followed
CAT 1: 500 (Q23, V35)
CAT 2: 480 (Q26, V31)
CAT 3: 590 (Q39, V32)
CAT 4: 590 (Q36, V34)
CAT 5: 620 (Q43, V32)
CAT 6: 640 (Q40, V37)
I also took two GMAT prep exams as my last two and scored the following on both:
640 (Q40, V37)
Now even though my practice scores were still subpar, I was confident that I could perform better under different circumstances. I also felt (strongly) that I have the ability to currently score in the 680 range.
Now this morning my exam was at 8:00am. I woke up at 6am and went for a quick 2 mile run. When I came back to the the hotel I briefly reviewed my error log and got ready to leave. I had a light breakfast and made my way to the testing center which was only a half mile away. I realized that when I walked in the door, I became very alert...does anyone else get this way when taking standardized tests? Anyway, I drank a 5 hour energy and signed in. When I sat down for the exam to begin my AWA I realized how nervous I became...then the 5 hour energy hit me and as I was typing my fingers were shaking. I finished the AWA with plenty of time. Then IR began and for some reason I got a question that stumped me and from there it felt downhill (I received a score of 5 on IR). I took a break after IR and exceeded my break time by 1 minute, then Quant concepts started to leave me, and I was receiving very easy questions. Long story short, I got the 590. I really expected around a 670-690 based on my comfort level...I do not know what happened. I know my practice exams did not hit a score that high, but I just had this feeling I was going to do better.
I NEED to retake, this already put a couple of programs out of reach due to deadlines...I just dont want to rush and get a lower score than needed. I also do not know how to approach this next round of studying to be as successful as possible. If anyone has any advice they could offer it would be greatly appreciated.
I am determined to beat the GMAT one way or another...it was very discouraging, but my failure will make the inevitable success that much sweeter.
-James Scheu
So I have not been too active on this site as far as interaction is concerned. I guess that needs to change...something needs to change after today.
I took my first shot at the GMAT today and received a disappointing score of 590 (Q36,V34)
. I cannot even put into words how discouraged I am after putting in two months of hard work and coming up so short.I started my GMAT journey in the middle of November. I began with a cold practice exam (free GMAT prep 1) to get an idea of where I stood and scored a 460 (Q24,V30)...that was a little disheartening. However, I knew that it was not about where I started, it was about where I finished.
I purchased my study materials which were- Full set of OG study materials, Kaplan's Math Workbook, MGMAT SC, and MGMAT Algebra.
In the beginning of my journey I was doing many problems, but I was not reviewing them to the depth I should have. I know that I was kind of half assing the review because I felt that if I did more problems then I would be exposed to a larger variety of questions and I would score better....my logic was not correct.
About a month ago, I changed my study method drastically. I created a daily to do list every morning before classes to focus on my weaknesses and I would review my incorrect questions on Practice exams, but dramatically decreased the number of new problems I was completing. My study for the last month pretty much went: Practice exam, review, review, redo incorrect problems, new practice exam. I felt it was working since there was an increase in my score.
My Mgmat scores went as followed
CAT 1: 500 (Q23, V35)
CAT 2: 480 (Q26, V31)
CAT 3: 590 (Q39, V32)
CAT 4: 590 (Q36, V34)
CAT 5: 620 (Q43, V32)
CAT 6: 640 (Q40, V37)
I also took two GMAT prep exams as my last two and scored the following on both:
640 (Q40, V37)
Now even though my practice scores were still subpar, I was confident that I could perform better under different circumstances. I also felt (strongly) that I have the ability to currently score in the 680 range.
Now this morning my exam was at 8:00am. I woke up at 6am and went for a quick 2 mile run. When I came back to the the hotel I briefly reviewed my error log and got ready to leave. I had a light breakfast and made my way to the testing center which was only a half mile away. I realized that when I walked in the door, I became very alert...does anyone else get this way when taking standardized tests? Anyway, I drank a 5 hour energy and signed in. When I sat down for the exam to begin my AWA I realized how nervous I became...then the 5 hour energy hit me and as I was typing my fingers were shaking. I finished the AWA with plenty of time. Then IR began and for some reason I got a question that stumped me and from there it felt downhill (I received a score of 5 on IR). I took a break after IR and exceeded my break time by 1 minute, then Quant concepts started to leave me, and I was receiving very easy questions. Long story short, I got the 590. I really expected around a 670-690 based on my comfort level...I do not know what happened. I know my practice exams did not hit a score that high, but I just had this feeling I was going to do better.
I NEED to retake, this already put a couple of programs out of reach due to deadlines...I just dont want to rush and get a lower score than needed. I also do not know how to approach this next round of studying to be as successful as possible. If anyone has any advice they could offer it would be greatly appreciated.
I am determined to beat the GMAT one way or another...it was very discouraging, but my failure will make the inevitable success that much sweeter.
-James Scheu
04 Feb 2016, 21:23
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi James,
To start, raising your score from a 460 to a 590 represents a solid improvement - so you shouldn't get too down on yourself. The information that you've provided in this post is important - much of it helps to point out why you weren't ready to hit your goal score YET.
To start, many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their peak scores. From what you describe, you really only started getting serious about all of this a month ago. This is meant to say that you have not put in enough time and effort yet to hit the 680+ level.
Many Test Takers who use a 'book-heavy' study approach get 'stuck' at a particular score level, and that's also likely a factor in your recent performances (on the Official GMAT and on your last few CATs). As different as these scores may appear, they're actually fairly close to one another, meaning that you do certain things consistently well, but you certain consistent mistakes.
From what you described, it sounds like you spent a night in a hotel before your Exam. Why did you do that? Was the Testing Center not close to your home?
When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?
Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. You'll need to learn/practice some new Tactics and you'll likely need to invest in some new, non-book practice materials.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
To start, raising your score from a 460 to a 590 represents a solid improvement - so you shouldn't get too down on yourself. The information that you've provided in this post is important - much of it helps to point out why you weren't ready to hit your goal score YET.
To start, many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their peak scores. From what you describe, you really only started getting serious about all of this a month ago. This is meant to say that you have not put in enough time and effort yet to hit the 680+ level.
Many Test Takers who use a 'book-heavy' study approach get 'stuck' at a particular score level, and that's also likely a factor in your recent performances (on the Official GMAT and on your last few CATs). As different as these scores may appear, they're actually fairly close to one another, meaning that you do certain things consistently well, but you certain consistent mistakes.
From what you described, it sounds like you spent a night in a hotel before your Exam. Why did you do that? Was the Testing Center not close to your home?
When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?
Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. You'll need to learn/practice some new Tactics and you'll likely need to invest in some new, non-book practice materials.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
04 Feb 2016, 22:24
Kudos
Bookmarks
My testing center had very few slots that were not at 8am and I'm never up that early so I chose the noon slot even if I had to wait a bit for it. Are you a morning person? Do you normal take a 5 hour energy before doing your cats? Also when you say you felt the quant concepts leaving you, that sounds more like you weren't prepared and expected to do well due to serendipity. The same as when you say you just knew you would do better.
Now based on your test scores, I don't think a 600 or 680 would be unreasonable, particularly as they are pretty consistent. Are you sure there weren't many repeat questions, etc? Honestly I think based on your test scores, if they're an accurate representation, maybe you should rewrite sooner rather than later.
Now based on your test scores, I don't think a 600 or 680 would be unreasonable, particularly as they are pretty consistent. Are you sure there weren't many repeat questions, etc? Honestly I think based on your test scores, if they're an accurate representation, maybe you should rewrite sooner rather than later.
05 Feb 2016, 11:57
Kudos
Bookmarks
EMPOWERgmatRichC
Rich,
Thank you for your reply. I know I should feel good about the jump, but a 180 jump with the possibility of a 230 felt so much better
.Should I ditch the book heavy approach and try something completely different or a mix of the two? I am not sure how to proceed from this point on because during my last 5 days or so it felt like I was just going through the motions and not making any more progress.I stayed in a hotel the night before my exam because the exam was at 8am and if I wanted to make it from my house to the exam site it would have taken an 1.25 hours even though the center is only 16 miles away. I felt it would take some of the pressure of the exam off.
To answer your questions..
1.) I took the entire CAT except for the 3rd one
2.) I did take all of the CAT's at home
3.) I originally had an 11am scheduled and moved the date back by 15 days so I did not take any CAT's at 8am...all at 11am (even after I switched the exam)
4.) Everything I did during the exam followed normal procedure for the exam
5.) I did not take any of the CAT's more than once, I reset the MGMAT CAT's but did not take any of them.
-James Scheu
