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04 Mar 2007, 19:03
Kudos
Bookmarks
I took the GMAT on Saturday and scored a very disappointing
Overall 630
Math 37
Verbal 39
I really don’t know what happened. My practice scores have all been at or above 700, I felt confident in my ability leading up to the test, I’m just so confused as to how I blew it. I took the GMAT last June and scored a 650 (M 44/V 35). Disappointed, I geared up and studied for 2 months to get the 700 I’m hoping for. I’m aiming for top 15 schools, but I wonder at this point if I even belong in these schools.
GMAT cyberfriends, I need your advice. What should I do? I am so friggin ticked off right now, I want to show this test it cannot defeat me. But I am doubting my ability to succeed on game day. I get so nervous, I can’t concentrate properly during the test. It doesn’t help that the entire week before the test, I was fighting a lot with my S.O. and it took an extreme emotional toll on me, I couldn’t sleep or eat, and finally had to knock myself out with an over the counter sleep medication the night before the test so salvage some sanity. I think this may have had an effect on my ability to perform during the test.
Anyway, enough about the drama. Here is a synopsis of my studies. Please let me know:
1. If you think I went wrong somewhere
2. If you think I should re-take
3. If yes to #2, then when?
4. If I suck and should just consider alternative options to top 15 schools
2+ months studying 20 hours a week.
I have gone through OG twice, carefully, reading all explanations and understanding my mistakes.
Continuously did problems from the 1000 sets in groups of 10-15 at a time, timed of course.
MGMAT SC and Word Problem books
I tried to focus on quality rather than quantity during my studies, understanding why the correct answer was correct EVERY TIME. I think this really helped me improve my test scores and hit rate on practice Q’s
One mistake I might have made was not focusing enough on Math. I would say my focus was 80/20 verbal/math. While, I am not quant superstar, I was comfortable with my math skills and how I was scoring on practice tests that I didn’t want to spend too much time on it, instead focusing on Verbal since it was such a weakness the first time I took the test.
Practice Test Scores (all within last 2 mos.):
GMATPrep #1
Overall: 720
Math: 46
Verbal: 42
GMATPrep #1 retake
Overall: 730
Math: 47
Verbal: 44
GMATPrep #2
Overall 750
Math 47
Verbal 47
MGMAT CAT
Overall: 700
Math 43
Verbal 42
In my GMAT prep tests I even scaled my score using ncprasad’s false positive adjustment – deducting 0.5 for each false positive, and my scores were still around 45/43 for both math/verbal.
WHAT HAPPENED??????????????
WHAT SHOULD I DO??????????
I’m so bummed right now. I would consider waiting a month and re-taking. I think it would be a mistake to wait too long, I’ve done so much studying already. Additionally, my schedule is about to get crazy busy. If I do re-take, I feel like I’m out of practice content, particularly tests. I’ve exhausted most practice tests. But is there a point in even trying given my two performances?
Overall 630
Math 37
Verbal 39
I really don’t know what happened. My practice scores have all been at or above 700, I felt confident in my ability leading up to the test, I’m just so confused as to how I blew it. I took the GMAT last June and scored a 650 (M 44/V 35). Disappointed, I geared up and studied for 2 months to get the 700 I’m hoping for. I’m aiming for top 15 schools, but I wonder at this point if I even belong in these schools.
GMAT cyberfriends, I need your advice. What should I do? I am so friggin ticked off right now, I want to show this test it cannot defeat me. But I am doubting my ability to succeed on game day. I get so nervous, I can’t concentrate properly during the test. It doesn’t help that the entire week before the test, I was fighting a lot with my S.O. and it took an extreme emotional toll on me, I couldn’t sleep or eat, and finally had to knock myself out with an over the counter sleep medication the night before the test so salvage some sanity. I think this may have had an effect on my ability to perform during the test.
Anyway, enough about the drama. Here is a synopsis of my studies. Please let me know:
1. If you think I went wrong somewhere
2. If you think I should re-take
3. If yes to #2, then when?
4. If I suck and should just consider alternative options to top 15 schools
2+ months studying 20 hours a week.
I have gone through OG twice, carefully, reading all explanations and understanding my mistakes.
Continuously did problems from the 1000 sets in groups of 10-15 at a time, timed of course.
MGMAT SC and Word Problem books
I tried to focus on quality rather than quantity during my studies, understanding why the correct answer was correct EVERY TIME. I think this really helped me improve my test scores and hit rate on practice Q’s
One mistake I might have made was not focusing enough on Math. I would say my focus was 80/20 verbal/math. While, I am not quant superstar, I was comfortable with my math skills and how I was scoring on practice tests that I didn’t want to spend too much time on it, instead focusing on Verbal since it was such a weakness the first time I took the test.
Practice Test Scores (all within last 2 mos.):
GMATPrep #1
Overall: 720
Math: 46
Verbal: 42
GMATPrep #1 retake
Overall: 730
Math: 47
Verbal: 44
GMATPrep #2
Overall 750
Math 47
Verbal 47
MGMAT CAT
Overall: 700
Math 43
Verbal 42
In my GMAT prep tests I even scaled my score using ncprasad’s false positive adjustment – deducting 0.5 for each false positive, and my scores were still around 45/43 for both math/verbal.
WHAT HAPPENED??????????????
WHAT SHOULD I DO??????????
I’m so bummed right now. I would consider waiting a month and re-taking. I think it would be a mistake to wait too long, I’ve done so much studying already. Additionally, my schedule is about to get crazy busy. If I do re-take, I feel like I’m out of practice content, particularly tests. I’ve exhausted most practice tests. But is there a point in even trying given my two performances?
04 Mar 2007, 20:34
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi there,
I can see a couple of potential problem spots in the prep model that you outlined above.
1. You solved the 1000 SC/CR/RC documents in sets of 10-15.
2. You spent a disproportionate amount of time on verbal.
A verbal score of 39 while not stellar, is neverthless good. However, a quant score of 37 is simply below average. A good quant score would be in the range of 45+. So make sure that you do not neglect quant in the future. (On the other hand, don't spend too much time on quant and neglect verbal!). Balance out your studying and make sure that you don't leave a section untouched for more than 2 days in a row.
Hope that helps! All the best with your prep.
- Kripal
I can see a couple of potential problem spots in the prep model that you outlined above.
1. You solved the 1000 SC/CR/RC documents in sets of 10-15.
Quote:
10-15 questions in a set are simply too few to be effective. You should be solving questions in sets of 20 - 40 (timed of course). Practising with larger sets improves your stamina and gets you prepared for the 3 1/2 marathon that the GMAT is. Also, make sure that you are getting most of your questions right! There is no point in solving 30 questions in 30 minutes and getting 15 wrong. Your hit rate should ideally be 90+.
2. You spent a disproportionate amount of time on verbal.
Quote:
A verbal score of 39 while not stellar, is neverthless good. However, a quant score of 37 is simply below average. A good quant score would be in the range of 45+. So make sure that you do not neglect quant in the future. (On the other hand, don't spend too much time on quant and neglect verbal!). Balance out your studying and make sure that you don't leave a section untouched for more than 2 days in a row.
Hope that helps! All the best with your prep.
- Kripal
04 Mar 2007, 22:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
I am very sorry to hear this news. I know for sure that your verbal score is closer to 45+ than 39. I do not think you should judge your candidacy for top 15 schools based on your GMAT score. There are many other soft skills that are more important for success in business school and beyond. One of those skills is the ability to bounce back from failures.
I am sure that with some honest introspection and sustained yet balanced preparation you would be able to secure a GMAT score consistent with your abilities. Dont give up!
Take a break from GMAT and this club for a couple of weeks. Have fun, recharge your batteries and then come back fresh with the attitude that you will do well the next time. May be this is a blessing in disguise. Your GMAT ordeal and how you overcame it can provide good fodder for your essays. You are not alone! Look through the GMAT experience threads, you will find enough inspiration.
Kripal made some good observations. Keep them in mind for next time. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need help planning for the next exam.
Hang tight!
I am sure that with some honest introspection and sustained yet balanced preparation you would be able to secure a GMAT score consistent with your abilities. Dont give up!
Take a break from GMAT and this club for a couple of weeks. Have fun, recharge your batteries and then come back fresh with the attitude that you will do well the next time. May be this is a blessing in disguise. Your GMAT ordeal and how you overcame it can provide good fodder for your essays. You are not alone! Look through the GMAT experience threads, you will find enough inspiration.
Kripal made some good observations. Keep them in mind for next time. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need help planning for the next exam.
Hang tight!
