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08 Jul 2011, 16:58
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I've taken this long to post about my experience because I had given up; I wasn't planning on retaking the test ever again. But I've reconsidered; I can't give up this easily, not without giving it a fair shot.
I took the GMAT back in April, the 18th to be exact. I began studying around September of 2010. I only had the weekends to study, that's why I waited so long to take the test.
I used the 8 Manhattan GMAT preparation books and they were good. I went through them and I thought they prepared me well.
I did not take any diagnostic tests. This was a big error on my part. I only read about the test but I did not take any CAT-style tests. For example, in the Quantitative section, I didn't know regular and data sufficiency problems were combined, which, when I was taking the test, messed me up. If only for the test-taking experience, these would have been useful. Along the way, Data Sufficiency proved to be the most difficult section in all the GMAT. This is where I had the most problems and where I scored the lowest in all the exercises. My math skills, though a bit rusty after years of inactivity, were not that bad. For an art major (both undergraduate and graduate), my math skills were very good.
All that said, I'm not a good test taker, I've never been. I always tend to score low, even on the things I know well. Call it anxiety or whatever, I've never been a good test taker.
However, on test day, I was relaxed. I was a bit scared about the writing portion of the test, but, once I got the questions and started working on them, my confidence grew. I was feeling very relaxed.
Then came the Quant section. The questions kept coming at me: data sufficiency and regular problems all mixed in. Like I said before, I was confused, and, to make a long story short, I did not finish the test. I can't exactly remember how many I answered, but I think it was only around half of the quant questions I answered before my time ran out.
Despite this set-back, I managed to finish all the verbal questions.
In the end my scores were as follows:
27Q, 29V, AWA: 4
Like I said, I did well on the questions when I was studying for the test. But one big difference is that the book, in this case the Manhattan guides I was using, are separated by topic. What I mean is, if you're studying the book on decimals, you know all the questions that follow are about decimals; if you're studying the book on fractions, you know all the questions that follow are about fractions, and so on. What I'm trying to get at is that you apply all the stuff you've just learned. When you're taking the test you get a problem and then you're left, some times more than others, to figure out what "rules" to apply to solve the question. Is it the rules of prime numbers? or is it the rules about this? or is it this? You may say this should not be an issue, and perhaps it isn't, but it messed me up. I was in shock.
That was my experience. Because of it, I decided to hell with it, I'm not taking the GMAT again, I'm not going to grad school.
But I've decided that I want to retake it. Maybe I won't score any higher, but, at least, I want to finish the whole test this time. Not finishing the test, I've read, does affect your score. This added to the fact that I'm not a good tester sealed my fate.
I want to know what I need to do to score much better (that is, besides finishing the whole damn thing). I know there's a lot of information here, but that's exactly why I'm posting. There is so much I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to do.
Is there a particular process a person in my situation should follow?
How much can I expect to improve?
I've read some people have had some very impressive results the second time around, but is there a way to determine what one will need to do to get XXX score?
I'm applying to PT programs only. Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, and (my first choice) UC Davis. Berkeley was on the list, but, to apply, I will need a 700.
I would appreciate anything you guys recommend. Thanks.
(PS How are scores determined? I mean, how do they get the 480 from my 27Q and 29V?)
I took the GMAT back in April, the 18th to be exact. I began studying around September of 2010. I only had the weekends to study, that's why I waited so long to take the test.
I used the 8 Manhattan GMAT preparation books and they were good. I went through them and I thought they prepared me well.
I did not take any diagnostic tests. This was a big error on my part. I only read about the test but I did not take any CAT-style tests. For example, in the Quantitative section, I didn't know regular and data sufficiency problems were combined, which, when I was taking the test, messed me up. If only for the test-taking experience, these would have been useful. Along the way, Data Sufficiency proved to be the most difficult section in all the GMAT. This is where I had the most problems and where I scored the lowest in all the exercises. My math skills, though a bit rusty after years of inactivity, were not that bad. For an art major (both undergraduate and graduate), my math skills were very good.
All that said, I'm not a good test taker, I've never been. I always tend to score low, even on the things I know well. Call it anxiety or whatever, I've never been a good test taker.
However, on test day, I was relaxed. I was a bit scared about the writing portion of the test, but, once I got the questions and started working on them, my confidence grew. I was feeling very relaxed.
Then came the Quant section. The questions kept coming at me: data sufficiency and regular problems all mixed in. Like I said before, I was confused, and, to make a long story short, I did not finish the test. I can't exactly remember how many I answered, but I think it was only around half of the quant questions I answered before my time ran out.
Despite this set-back, I managed to finish all the verbal questions.
In the end my scores were as follows:
27Q, 29V, AWA: 4
Like I said, I did well on the questions when I was studying for the test. But one big difference is that the book, in this case the Manhattan guides I was using, are separated by topic. What I mean is, if you're studying the book on decimals, you know all the questions that follow are about decimals; if you're studying the book on fractions, you know all the questions that follow are about fractions, and so on. What I'm trying to get at is that you apply all the stuff you've just learned. When you're taking the test you get a problem and then you're left, some times more than others, to figure out what "rules" to apply to solve the question. Is it the rules of prime numbers? or is it the rules about this? or is it this? You may say this should not be an issue, and perhaps it isn't, but it messed me up. I was in shock.
That was my experience. Because of it, I decided to hell with it, I'm not taking the GMAT again, I'm not going to grad school.
But I've decided that I want to retake it. Maybe I won't score any higher, but, at least, I want to finish the whole test this time. Not finishing the test, I've read, does affect your score. This added to the fact that I'm not a good tester sealed my fate.
I want to know what I need to do to score much better (that is, besides finishing the whole damn thing). I know there's a lot of information here, but that's exactly why I'm posting. There is so much I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what to do.
Is there a particular process a person in my situation should follow?
How much can I expect to improve?
I've read some people have had some very impressive results the second time around, but is there a way to determine what one will need to do to get XXX score?
I'm applying to PT programs only. Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, and (my first choice) UC Davis. Berkeley was on the list, but, to apply, I will need a 700.
I would appreciate anything you guys recommend. Thanks.
(PS How are scores determined? I mean, how do they get the 480 from my 27Q and 29V?)
08 Jul 2011, 21:05
Kudos
Bookmarks
Macandal,
I think you have already identified several areas of failure in your preparation that led to your score. By the sounds of things, your preperation in terms of content was ok, but your execution on test day was awful! You can improve it, I am sure
.
I am very surprised that you didn't take even one CAT prior to your test. You must use some practice tests.
Some people believe you can go overboard on CATs. This is probably true, but to not even do a single practice test is cavalier to say the least.
You have access to 6 MGMAT CATs through the books you purchased. These are regarded as being quite accurate.
You also have access to two free GMAT PREP tests through mba.com. These use the same scoring algorithm as the real thing and genuine GMAT questions. Typically people "save" this. I think since you just sat a real GMAT test, there will be no need for you to use this straight away, as you already know your baseline score. I suggest you use the MGMAT CATs, then the GMAT PREP CATs. This will give you a very accurate benchmark your your improvement, and what level you are at for when you sit the test next.
You mentioned you did not finish the test. The penalty for not finishing sections of the GMAT is massive. I've seen estimations of between 30-50 points, per section (see here). This is a massive contributor to your low score. I think after you sit all the MGMAT CATs, your timing will be much improved. You need to read up on guessing strategies, and knowing when to fold in a question. You have to be able to identify time per question and move on. There are tons of timing articles around. I recommend this one.
You mentioned you used the MGMAT books. Did you also combine this with the Official Guide? I'm assuming you did, but this is also essential. You might also want to invest in the Quant and Verbal Review Official Guides.
Your scores are determined as described.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
I think you have already identified several areas of failure in your preparation that led to your score. By the sounds of things, your preperation in terms of content was ok, but your execution on test day was awful! You can improve it, I am sure
.I am very surprised that you didn't take even one CAT prior to your test. You must use some practice tests.
Some people believe you can go overboard on CATs. This is probably true, but to not even do a single practice test is cavalier to say the least.
You have access to 6 MGMAT CATs through the books you purchased. These are regarded as being quite accurate.
You also have access to two free GMAT PREP tests through mba.com. These use the same scoring algorithm as the real thing and genuine GMAT questions. Typically people "save" this. I think since you just sat a real GMAT test, there will be no need for you to use this straight away, as you already know your baseline score. I suggest you use the MGMAT CATs, then the GMAT PREP CATs. This will give you a very accurate benchmark your your improvement, and what level you are at for when you sit the test next.
You mentioned you did not finish the test. The penalty for not finishing sections of the GMAT is massive. I've seen estimations of between 30-50 points, per section (see here). This is a massive contributor to your low score. I think after you sit all the MGMAT CATs, your timing will be much improved. You need to read up on guessing strategies, and knowing when to fold in a question. You have to be able to identify time per question and move on. There are tons of timing articles around. I recommend this one.
You mentioned you used the MGMAT books. Did you also combine this with the Official Guide? I'm assuming you did, but this is also essential. You might also want to invest in the Quant and Verbal Review Official Guides.
Your scores are determined as described.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
28 Jul 2011, 10:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
Anyone know of any Mac-friendly tests out there? Most appear to be designed for Windows-based computers. I got the Kaplan (I think?) book out of the library, the one with the disc, but can't use it because it is Windows only. I think the one this site, GMATClub, offers is, also, a Windows-only test. Any help? Something that doesn't require a lot of tech-stuff prep work (like making your computer Windows-friendly by installing some kind of program). Thanks.
