50 Point Difference in GMAT Prep and Actual GMAT in Two days!

Question

Here's a quick background about my GMAT preparation followed by some questions -

I gave my first attempt to GMAT some 2 years ago and scored a 600 (48Q, 26V). Clearly understood that the Verbal section was the one which needed to be worked upon. Put in all the focus, read OG, Manhattan Guides and several other books. Practised almost 1000+ questions with SC, CR and RC combined using Error logs and all that. Started to score 37+ on my verbal score during my practice tests on Veritas Prep tests with 49-50 on my Quants. So basically, I started at 650 in my first Diagnostic GMAT prep test and gradually picked up my way to 700+ scores on my mocks. Two days before my GMAT, I scored 710 on my GMAT prep second test.

However, on the day when it all counts, I scored a 660 (49Q, 32V). At no time during my test, I felt that I was getting too difficult questions or too easy ones. The timing was correct. I had 1 minute left after finishing my last Verbal question. But, I did get 5 RC passages while generally on my practice tests I used to get 3-4 passages on an average and I know that my accuracy levels are around 50-60% on RC questions.

My questions are -

1. On the test day, my verbal score fell from 37 to 32, while I put all my efforts to bring it to 37 gradually, so what should be my approach towards deciphering the cause of this sudden drop in the verbal score?

2. What is required of me to score a 42+ on my verbal score next time I give my GMAT?

3. Can I achieve this 10+ point growth in the verbal score by myself or do I need a professional tuition?

P.S - I don't see a point in working too strong on my Quant section though I feel one or two points on Quant section won't harm.

Thanks,
Atul

TestPrepUnlimited · Answer

On your GMAT prep, it's best to save all GMAC/OG questions for the very end of your study. For supplemental Verbal practice, I recommend doing LSAT practice tests (helps with GMAT CR and RC), but be sure to revisit OG to get back in GMAT mode.

Also how was your official test experience different from your practice test experience?

Also how was your official test experience different from your practice test experience?

atulmathur · Answer

Thanks for your feedback. With regards to the test experience, the official one was much more relaxed and better than my regular tests that I used to give at home and hence, it leaves me baffled.

prabhakarsharma · Answer

sorry to hear that rahul.

I also had similar kind of experience yesterday.
[align=][/align]
I have been preparing for gmat for last few months, and in my last lap of prep my score was consistent in 650+ range.

Attachment:

scores.png [ 25.33 KiB | Viewed 4226 times ]

On test day (17 sept '14) it was different story. After attempting so many mocks i have become kind of immune to pressure and anxiety.
But somehow as i entered the centre i started getting nervous.
I performed bad in quant, and told myself that in worst scenerio i would be score around 44 .
During verbal i was ok, questions seemed good and completed the test with 3 second in hand. When i saw my score i was like i have seen a real ghost.

Score 570
Quant 44
Verbal 25.

This is one of my worst scored till date.

Am not sure what to gather from it and how to move forward.

My thoughts behind putting this much information here are same as yours.

I also want to know answer to the same three questions which you have asked.

A request to experts : please help us out. I know for sure i have to retake the test(570 score will never let me sleep again) but am afraid that if it can happen after so much of prep, then whats the guarantee that it wont happen again.

cabel · Answer

Hi Prabhakar, Atul..
Iv had a pretty similar experience as you guys.. Iv been preparing for the last 3.5 months.. Towards the end i was doing a consistent 630-640 on my mocks; on the GMAC Prep 2 i did a 680. But yesterday when i gave the exam i got 600.. Verbal has been a been a problem but a 28 was lower than all of my mocks. 
Anyways i wanted to know how you guys are planning to take things forward. What material are you planning to resort to for the next attempt..

atulmathur · Answer

Hey Cabel and Prabhakar, Sad to hear that you guys had the same experience as mine though before posting this query I thought it's not very common to see such huge variations in mocks (especially GMAT Prep tests) and the actual GMAT. And now I'm sure there would be a lot of other test takers who'd be sailing in the same boat. So, after surfing through zillions of forums on billion of sites and talking to some GMAT 750+ scorers and professionals (with similar scores) what I've understood is that there are two types of test takers - 1. Ones who go through the regular material (that we all use) such as Manhattan Guides, Kaplan Guides, OGs and the likes of Aristotle Prep. They develop a sense of understanding of each type of question that they see on the GMAT and they know how to tackle each question. A mix of intelligence+Prep+own methodology. 2. Ones who join professional courses (online or offline) and learn to adapt to the process that need to be followed when they see a type of question on the screen, be it quants or verbal. They follow a step-by-step process to break down each question - apply the ingrained methods that involve rejection of obvious choices, choose the best answer and move on. Mind you, the strategies suggested by these professionals are not only restricted to solving questions, but also on how to approach the whole section where time management plays a very very vital role (can't emphasis more). So, hitherto, I've been trying to crack GMAT using the first approach and I found it a bit difficult to get a score I wanted as I was approaching every new question as a new contest in itself, while in reality using some of the methods that these professionals teach it's actually not and you just need to follow the PROCESS and that's it! Keeping this in mind and after testing plethora of courses available, I've decided to go with the Verbal Live Prep course of eGMAT. I reckon what I'm lacking is a PROCESS to approach the GMAT verbal section, especially since I'm a non-native. Till now, from the sessions I've attended, it seems to be a good course and I feel I'm on the right track but only time will tell

This was just my opinion after doing a lot of introspection and talking to some experts but for sure this approach might change for you. So, in short, I would say that the most important thing you guys need to do is to look inside and see what are your pain points and basis that start attending the Free Trial of all leading test prep providers and ultimately choose the one that suits your needs. Thanks! Atul

prabhakarsharma · Answer

Hi Cabel and Atul,
Seems very inappropriate to say this but it really feels good to know that am not the only one banging my head.
25 in verbal is my till date lowest score. infact 570 is the score at which i started preparation around 5 months back.

Anyways, the bottom-line is we guys will have to re-take the test.

I agree with atul on the classification of test takers. When i started prep i was in 1st category. After 3 months of prep, i was still scoring 570. Thats when i decided to get professional help and joined veritas. It helped me to the point where my score in last month in good 650+ range.

So for sure non-geek people like us who really have to work hard to get above average, external help really does wonders.

Atul, you mentioned e-gmat. Definitely its good for non-native. I myself have used it in these 5 months.

The only shortcoming of the course which i faced was , till the point your are going through their course material , everything do looks gold, but conversion of same over real questions is a different story. Somehow it did not worked for me. Also they do not have a good bank of question to practice neither sectionals. So , in nutshell i did not have that good experience with it.

If you want to try it out reach me.

As far as retake goes, i guess i will be retaking the test in next 2 months , so that i can give ISB and Great lake a shot.

Am pretty cool with quant(though will work on it), but i would devote most of my time to verbal.

Strategy i still have to work upon, as am still not out of shock.

But for sure i would spend more time on club now. may be some kind of study group would be worth to look into.

As far as retake goes, i guess i will be retaking the test in next 2 months , so that i can give ISB and Great lake a shot. Am pretty cool with quant(though will work on it), but i would devote most of my time to verbal. Strategy i still have to work upon, as am still not out of shock. But for sure i would spend more time on club now. may be some kind of study group would be worth to look into.

cabel · Answer

Hi,

Guys your thoughts, literally RESONATE my views. yes truly its like im hearing myself.

Atul definately agree with you on the testers point, I feel finding the right strategy and applying it is crucial. As non native speakers for verbal we do require that guided strategy, and more importantly we need to follow it to the dot. 
It is good you have taken a step in that direction through e-GMAT.

Prabhakar 
your quote  "So for sure non-geek people like us who really have to work hard to get above average, external help really does wonders."  
Im with you on this. I do fit this bill.

Guys, I too have been hunting for what i can take up to help for the next attempt.
Iv searched a lot and here is what I have narrowed it down to -

-- Magoosh Verbal Pack

OR

-- Manhatten SC and Powerscore Gmat critical reasoning bible

-- I will now add eGMAT verbal to my list based on you guys feedback.

Im not able to shortlist which option to take, i was very much inclined to Magoosh but have heard some great things about the Powerscore CR book. 
Please suggest what you guys think.

Finally I would like to say it is good to see responses to posts. I have been posting a lot on Gmatclub but somehow was not getting replies. 
I say lets keep this thread going, lets garner more views, let more people join in and each gain from the others experience, AND at the end of the next 2-3 months lets have our 3 Success Stories.

Gud luck.. Keep posting.

prabhakarsharma · Answer

Amen to you cabel
I have tried all I guess. Magoosh, veritas, egmat and GMAT pill. Except veritas classroom none of the other external helps live up to the mark. Veritas too was good for quant but verbal needs time.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

I have found that for verbal you have to really train your ear to the official questions by the time you take the test. Have you noticed a slight difference in how official and for example Kaplan questions sound? I see that in most verbal questions.

It is OK to practice with other questions to home some of the skills but once you get above V35, that subtle difference becomes very important. Make sure you train your ear to detect that in CR especially.

ynk · Answer

can anyone please tell me what would be my score as i got 30/41 ques. right in verbal but the tests are pdf and hence won't calculate the exact V score.

Pranshul · Answer

Greetings !!

I have a similar situation like you all. Got 60 points less in the actual test. Can we form a study group ??

cabel · Answer

bb .... Sir , thanks a lot for your Inputs.. Duly noted.

bb · Answer

Are those 500, 600, or 700 level questions? 
What I am trying to say is that it is pretty useless to try to figure it out from a PDF because you cant....

ynk · Answer

ok.so what do you suggest as i want to predict my verbal score and i only have MGMAT CAT's which i don't want to waste now. :?:

bb · Answer

Lots of options.... all-gmat-cat-practice-tests-links-prices-reviews-77460.html You can even take a GMAT Prep. You will probably score low enough that it won't come to interfere with your performance later on when you reset it.

ynk · Answer

ok.wil do so.thanks for the help dude !

50 Point Difference in GMAT Prep and Actual GMAT in Two days!

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards