650...Not discouraged!
[#permalink]
03 Jun 2006, 13:16
Ok, now that I have had 24 hours to soak in my score I am doing great! Immediately after seeing my score my heart sunk. I had studied off and on (not as dedicated as I should have been) for the past 3 months. 650 was the baseline that I was at least not going to freak out over. Looking back though, and just now discovering this forum, I realize I did so many things wrong.
I have always been successful in life by taking things full speed ahead. Not slowing down and charging in has worked in college, sports, and girls. On the GMAT however, this strategy didn't work so well. Let me back up and give you guys some background, so that your advice might be easier to give.
I am 23 years old and just graduated from school in Houston, tx. I had an easy last semester so I decided to be productive and knock the GMAT out of the way in case I wanted to go to business school in 3-5 years. I already had a job in NYC in finance and figured this would be the best time to study/take the GMAT.
I scheduled my GMAT exam to fall right inbetween two major events in my life (first mistake). My plan was to graduate, spend 2 weeks at home (i thought), get married, and start work. Well, little did I know that those 2 weeks at home wouldn't be the quiet study time I had assumed. I had to do tons of random junk (transition period between college and the realword stuff), and go to NYC and find an apartment. Lets just say 5 days straight of walking around manhattan was not good for studying, nor for my bloodpressure!
In any case, I came home dog tired and stressed out, and tried to cram in practice tests before my test on Friday (I got home monday). I have now found out that taking 4 practice tests the three days prior to your exam was probably not smart. After the test, when I got home and sat on the coach I realizsed how brain dead I was. I finally figured out that I had just way too much going on. If I can get a 650 with a marriage looming ahead, and as tired/stressed as I was, i can reach 700 range no problem.
So, I start my job on July 7th. I would like to retake the test a few days before I start my job. This is enough time to gather myself, restudy a bit, and take the exam right? What is you guys advice? I am getting married this next Saturday, and going on a honeymoon for 5 days. I figured I could study a bit on the beach, but who wants to study on their honeymoon!
Anyway, I think even if I didn't get much studying in between now and my retest, my score would improve drastically if I just didn't have so much weighing on me. If I get an hour or so in most days, and get a good solid two weeks (the time after my honeymoon and before i start work) of studying in, I can score well?
What I really need are some good tips of how to utilize the time I have to stay fresh and consistent! As I took the test yesterday, how long should I wait to start studying? I feel like I should start today!
Sorry to bombard you guys like this, but I am so excited to have found this board. I have been active on many forums across the internet but have never seen a community as encouraging and helpful as this one. Kudos guys! And please, if you can offer advice on anything, please feel free to divulge what you can, even if it doens't address all my concerns.
Thanks!