2 more days left before my 1st GMAT exam, need advice

Thanks for your suggestion. I will definitely take another gmat in the future, BUT the reason why I still want to take gmat this week is to get 500+ score so I can apply for scholarship from my office. If I get the scholarship, my office will asked me to apply to schools of my choice. From then I will study harder to get 600+ score.

Thanks rich. I take another gmat mock test today, and here is the result"
530 Q42 V20.
I was very surprised when I saw the score, especially the quant. I don't know if the gmatprep encountered a bug or not, but the correct answer on quant is only 14/37, and in verbal 25/41. Why my quant score was pretty decent if my correct/wrong ratio is below 40%? And my verbal score was low despite the ratio is about 60%?
Nevertheless, I am very happy with and it does have a positive impact on my mood. I hope I can bring the positive vibe on the actual exam.

Hi Irwan,

I've recently heard from a handful of people that have received 'odd' score results from the GMAC CATs, but you shouldn't be focused on that right now. Your scores all point to a general ability level right around 500, which is all you really need right now. You should avoid trying to do too much working in the next couple of days. Test Day should be about making good decisions and putting in the necessary work to answer the 'gettable' questions. You should post back here after you've taken the GMAT and we can discuss your results.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

rich, I took the gmat today and the score is 440 (q32 v19 ir5). I failed. I think I need a break from gmat for awhile. I want to keep my spirit high, but today's result is completely broke me.

Hi Irwan,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as hoped. Based on everything that you've described, there are a number of things to consider about how you studied and how you can better prepare for you next attempt:

1) You stated that you had recently been studying for OVER 12 hours a day. That was NOT a good idea - and it likely led to some 'burn out' before your Official GMAT (meaning that you were too tired to perform at a higher level on Test Day).

2) GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within about +/- 30 points of actual ability. If we ignore the one CAT that you retook, and assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your Official score is right 'in the middle' of your CAT score results. And again, if you were too tired to perform at your best, and made a few too many little mistakes over the course of the Exam, then that would account for the points that you lost.

3) Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores. With just 1 month of study, you likely have not put in enough time and effort yet to have scored higher.

Thankfully, the GMAT is the same consistent, predictable Exam that it's always been, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. I suggest that you take a couple of days 'off', then come back and we discuss how best to study from here on. Your recent focus was to score high enough to receive a workplace scholarship. What is the deadline to apply for that offer?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi Rich,

Right after your post, I began to study again. This time I study with MGMAT Quant books, e-gmat SC, and Powerscore CR Bible. I study almost everyday in the last two months, and I feel more confident than before. I took 3 MGMAT mock test till today, and I scored 580, 540, and 620. I've already set my next GMAT exam on nov 15th, and I hope I can beat this beast this time.
My target score is still above 500, because my workplace has postponed the scholarship deadline to Nov 18th. Wish me luck!

Hi Irwan,

It sounds like you've followed a more disciplined study plan over the last couple of months and your CAT score results certainly show improvement. Remember that to hit your score goal you don't have to correctly answer ANY questions that seem too hard or too weird, but you do have to minimize the number of little mistakes that you make. Any time that you think a question is too hard, your best move is to quickly 'dump' it (just take a guess and move on), so that you have enough time to properly answer all of the 'gettable' questions.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich