650 on first attempt with huge drop in Verbal compared to mocks

Question

After 2-3 months of on-and-off studying (~8 hours/week), I took a month off work to focus on GMAT prep and finally took my official test beginning of June 2023. While I struggled on Quant during the mocks, my Verbal raw scores were stable at around 40-41. This is why I was so surprised/shocked that my official Verbal score was down to 31 (~10-point drop). Here is the complete recap of my mock results:

3/05/23 - Official Practice Exam #1 - 550 Q31 V35 - Order Taken: V Q IR (This was for diagnosis purposes after first two weeks of studying)
4/30/23 - Official Practice Exam #2 - 680 Q41 V41 - Order Taken: Q V IR
5/13/23 - Official Practice Exam #1 - 730 Q49 V41 - Order Taken: V Q IR (Retake)
5/19/23 - Official Practice Exam #3 - 690 Q44 V40 - Order Taken: Q V IR
5/26/23 - Official Practice Exam #4 - 710 Q47 V41 - Order Taken: Q V IR
6/03/23 - Official Exam #1 - 650 Q48  V31  - Order Taken Q V IR

I was quite confident in my Verbal so I spent the last 2 weeks before the official exam working on my Quant (reducing sloppy mistakes). I did notice that in the Verbal section, I was behind time. I only had 6 minutes left when I was at 30/36 and a passage pops up (I got a total of 4 passages) and had to guess almost all of the remaining questions. Did taking Quant first take out my energy and power to focus in the Verbal section? I also could only sleep ~6 hours the night before (took the test at 9 AM) because of the nerves so I'm not sure if it plays any role here. Unfortunately, I took the online version of the test so I can't order the ESR.

At the end of the day, 650 is not enough to get me into my targeted programs, so I will need to retake the test and get to my target score (700-730) within 1 month if I want to make it for Round 1 application deadlines. To be honest, I'm very disappointed right now but still determined to go the last mile in the next month. I can't take any more breaks from work since my leave quota ran out. I would really appreciate it if you can give me any advice for the coming 1-month prep and/or test-taking strategies. Please help! Thank you so much!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

For time management, consider using time markers. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, working on your solving approach may help boost your score a bit as well. Had a student who went from a similar score Q50 V31 to a Q50 V40 in about 30 days. Perhaps work with a study buddy who is strong on the sections (i.e. RC) you may be a bit slippery on.

Purchasing Official Mocks 5 and 6 may also be a solid choice. Ideally you hit your target score next time but you could save Official Mock 6 just in case.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi nhivu.

It's possible that the drop in your Verbal score occurred because your Verbal prep somehow emphasized what appears on the Verbal section of the official practice tests rather than what may appear on the GMAT on test day. Many GMAT test-takers experience such results because so much of what's said about the Verbal section of the GMAT, both in prep materials and informally, is based on what appears on the official practice tests. In other words, often, when discussing GMAT Verbal, people emphasize "what the GMAT does," supposedly, rather than general rules, strategies, and skills.
 
Another possibility is that you simply had an off test session.

For some insights into what occurred and what you can do to score higher next time, you could read the following post.

Why Was My GMAT Score Lower Than My Practice Test Scores?

Archit3110 · Answer

given your trend of mock scores , it seems like that something really went bad on exam day may be anxiety or nervousness...
try giving another attempt in next 15 days , but before that give few mocks more either of MGMAT or GC pro..

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi nhivu,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) Over the last month, how many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? Have you taken any other “brands” of CATs/mocks besides the Official ones?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi nhivu,

Is it possible that nerves played a role in how you performed on test day?

houston1980 · Answer

Hello nhivu,

It seems you also had a problem with time management. IN GMAT, as in other exams, it is good to be pacing your time. You may also schedule your next GMAT exam to afternoon or evening. That may take care of the sleep problem.

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650 on first attempt with huge drop in Verbal compared to mocks

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