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Updated on: 11 Aug 2015, 22:50
Originally posted by sameersanjeev on 11 Aug 2015, 12:22.
Last edited by sameersanjeev on 11 Aug 2015, 22:50, edited 2 times in total.
Last edited by sameersanjeev on 11 Aug 2015, 22:50, edited 2 times in total.
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Hi all,
I gave my GMAT on 5th August. I got a terrible score of 550 (q37, v28, AWA - 5, IR - 2). I am not shocked though since my practice CATS all hovered around the same score. However, I am really confused and a bit demotivated because after working so hard, if I scored this, then I really have no clue as what to do while preparing for my next attempt so that my score increases (that too drastically!). Honestly, it has dented my confidence because I have been pretty good at academics and never did I prepare so much for any exam as much as I prepared for GMAT. This makes me feel whether I am really capable of going beyond even 650, leave aside a 700. Anyway, my preparation for the exam was as mentioned below:
I joined a private tutor in the month of March. Since I work from Monday to Sat, i could only attend the classes once every week on Sunday (each session being about 2 hours). The tutor taught us from the Kaplan Math & Verbal Workbook. Only SC was taught from Manhattan SC book. For practice at home, she had given me Math & Verbal Bible (by Jeff Sackmann) and Cliff's GMAT book.
Till May, my studies were more concentrated towards understanding the concepts and theory and practice was mostly on the weekends. I did not complete all the practice qs from the 2 sources that I mentioned above (except Math Bible which i completed almost 90%).
I started OG Verbal and OG Quant review from 26th June end and started the OG 2015 edition by July 10th or so (could not complete few qs at the end of each sub topic) .
I started my mock tests from 24th July, just 12 days before the exam. I gave 3 MGMATs and 1 GMAT Prep. When I saw my 1st MGMAT score (550), i was shocked. I never expected that my score will be at this level. Honestly, my confidence dropped from here onwards and I had no idea of how to increase my score in the remaining 12 days. Because of this my tempo also somewhere dropped. My practice CAT scores are mentioned below:
MGMAT 1 - 550 (q37, v29)
MGMAT 2 - 590 (q42, v30)
MGMAT 3 - 580 (q38, v32)
GMAT Prep 1 - 560 (q40, v27) (Only this test was taken along with AWA and IR)
On test day, I was praying that hopefully some miracle takes place and my actual GMAT score is way above my mocks and as that is rarely the scenario, unfortunately it did not happen for me too!
My tutor says that I took very few mocks and that I should not have skipped Kaplan mock CATs (which she had given me) because they really prepare you for tough qs. Along with that she had also given me Princeton & Arco mock CATs. However, at the end, I decided to purchase Manhattan CATs because most of the people here recommend them.
I would really appreciate if experts and other fellow GMAT test takers and aspirants could advise me on how I should prepare for my next attempt and how many days should i step aside for that. As you can see, I need to improve in both the areas. Also realistically, is it possible to improve my score exponentially. I would love a 700+ but I don't want to settle for anything below 670 or 680. I want to apply ideally in Round 1 (but don't know if that is possible now) or Round 2, of this year.
Thanks.
I gave my GMAT on 5th August. I got a terrible score of 550 (q37, v28, AWA - 5, IR - 2). I am not shocked though since my practice CATS all hovered around the same score. However, I am really confused and a bit demotivated because after working so hard, if I scored this, then I really have no clue as what to do while preparing for my next attempt so that my score increases (that too drastically!). Honestly, it has dented my confidence because I have been pretty good at academics and never did I prepare so much for any exam as much as I prepared for GMAT. This makes me feel whether I am really capable of going beyond even 650, leave aside a 700. Anyway, my preparation for the exam was as mentioned below:
I joined a private tutor in the month of March. Since I work from Monday to Sat, i could only attend the classes once every week on Sunday (each session being about 2 hours). The tutor taught us from the Kaplan Math & Verbal Workbook. Only SC was taught from Manhattan SC book. For practice at home, she had given me Math & Verbal Bible (by Jeff Sackmann) and Cliff's GMAT book.
Till May, my studies were more concentrated towards understanding the concepts and theory and practice was mostly on the weekends. I did not complete all the practice qs from the 2 sources that I mentioned above (except Math Bible which i completed almost 90%).
I started OG Verbal and OG Quant review from 26th June end and started the OG 2015 edition by July 10th or so (could not complete few qs at the end of each sub topic) .
I started my mock tests from 24th July, just 12 days before the exam. I gave 3 MGMATs and 1 GMAT Prep. When I saw my 1st MGMAT score (550), i was shocked. I never expected that my score will be at this level. Honestly, my confidence dropped from here onwards and I had no idea of how to increase my score in the remaining 12 days. Because of this my tempo also somewhere dropped. My practice CAT scores are mentioned below:
MGMAT 1 - 550 (q37, v29)
MGMAT 2 - 590 (q42, v30)
MGMAT 3 - 580 (q38, v32)
GMAT Prep 1 - 560 (q40, v27) (Only this test was taken along with AWA and IR)
On test day, I was praying that hopefully some miracle takes place and my actual GMAT score is way above my mocks and as that is rarely the scenario, unfortunately it did not happen for me too!
My tutor says that I took very few mocks and that I should not have skipped Kaplan mock CATs (which she had given me) because they really prepare you for tough qs. Along with that she had also given me Princeton & Arco mock CATs. However, at the end, I decided to purchase Manhattan CATs because most of the people here recommend them.
I would really appreciate if experts and other fellow GMAT test takers and aspirants could advise me on how I should prepare for my next attempt and how many days should i step aside for that. As you can see, I need to improve in both the areas. Also realistically, is it possible to improve my score exponentially. I would love a 700+ but I don't want to settle for anything below 670 or 680. I want to apply ideally in Round 1 (but don't know if that is possible now) or Round 2, of this year.
Thanks.
11 Aug 2015, 19:30
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Hi sam2016,
Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and that sounds like what's happened to you. Waiting to take your CATs until the last 2 weeks was also not a great idea. CATs should be taken at regular intervals, with enough time in-between so that you can define your 'issues', review, do additional practice, etc. before taking another CAT. There's a reason why your scores were 'clustered' - you likely kept making the same mistakes over-and-over.
Thankfully, all of this can be 'fixed' - but it's going to take some time and you're going to have to adapt your study routine. I suspect that another 2 months of consistent study will be required.
1) How many hours do you study during a typical week?
2) Since you work Monday-Saturday, do you do most of your studying on Sundays?
3) Do you know which Schools you're planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular scoring level and that sounds like what's happened to you. Waiting to take your CATs until the last 2 weeks was also not a great idea. CATs should be taken at regular intervals, with enough time in-between so that you can define your 'issues', review, do additional practice, etc. before taking another CAT. There's a reason why your scores were 'clustered' - you likely kept making the same mistakes over-and-over.
Thankfully, all of this can be 'fixed' - but it's going to take some time and you're going to have to adapt your study routine. I suspect that another 2 months of consistent study will be required.
1) How many hours do you study during a typical week?
2) Since you work Monday-Saturday, do you do most of your studying on Sundays?
3) Do you know which Schools you're planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
12 Aug 2015, 00:20
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Bookmarks
Hi sam2016,
From what you have written about the details of the study, I feel that you did not devote sufficient time to your preparation. Also, not appearing for the mock tests added to the misery. Mock CATs should be taken at regular intervals all throughout your preparation.
One more issue might the the lack of practice from the official material.Plan on attempting more GMAT Prep mocks in this round of preparation. Also, I would recommend you to buy the GMAT Prep Exam Pack 1.
I feel that with the amount of time we have at our hands, Round 1 is going to be difficult. Most of the schools have their Round 1 deadlines late sept to Early Oct. Some even have them in mid september as well.
You should devote at least 2 months on your GMAT preparation and then appear for the GMAT again and apply in Round 2.
If you feel, you can opt for an online course as an aid in your preparation.
From what you have written about the details of the study, I feel that you did not devote sufficient time to your preparation. Also, not appearing for the mock tests added to the misery. Mock CATs should be taken at regular intervals all throughout your preparation.
One more issue might the the lack of practice from the official material.Plan on attempting more GMAT Prep mocks in this round of preparation. Also, I would recommend you to buy the GMAT Prep Exam Pack 1.
I feel that with the amount of time we have at our hands, Round 1 is going to be difficult. Most of the schools have their Round 1 deadlines late sept to Early Oct. Some even have them in mid september as well.
You should devote at least 2 months on your GMAT preparation and then appear for the GMAT again and apply in Round 2.
If you feel, you can opt for an online course as an aid in your preparation.
