690 (Q44, V40)

Question

Hi guys, just want to share my experience with taking the GMAT.

I studied for about 8 weeks, using the MGMAT guides. I used all of the 8 books and I felt really confident in the weeks leading to the exam. A little about me: I'm not a native English speaker (but pretty fluent, I read unabridged Shakespeare) but Math has always been my strong suit. My college degree also is quant heavy and I did fine. Doing the MGMAT guides, I felt confident with the math but SC really got me scared. But after doing exercises, I've been getting consistent scores:

GMAT Prep 1: 720 (Q49, V40)
GMAT Prep 2: 750 (Q50, V40)

As such, I felt really confident going into the test and getting something around those scores. As such, I was really devastated when I found out my score was 690. The overall score doesn't bug me - it's an excellent score. However, the Q is really low and there is such a big difference with my verbal that it's going to send some red flags to the admissions comm. And the fact that schools often require at least a 75% percentile on each part of the test, I feel that my score isn't doing me any favors (Q44 is 69%). Plus, I came from a quant heavy course in college - that's not good at all.

Just a debrief and post-test analysis on the real exam: even though I like the quant part in general - I really don't like Data Sufficiency. And I felt I got weirder DS stuff on the real thing than in the GMAT Prep. Also, there were a lot of inequalities/absolute value combo DS stuff - the worst! I feel that did me in. I guess jitters also got in the way - I was scared of running out of time and guessed at some parts.

I'm over the initial shock [after just a day. I'm a masochist - I redid the quant part of GMATPrep2 (Q50 ugh!!!) and watched 2 seasons of Lost non-stop afterwards to drown out negative thoughts. After that I felt fine. Just a tip.

] I'm decided, I'll take the test again in a month's time. Now, two days later, I can't wait to go back to study DS and confront my IN/AB combo waterloo. But I could use some help from you guys.

I've been reading all of the retaking experiences in the forum. I'm really keen to increase my quant - i'm okay even though I don't get a 49 or a 50 but I just want to get past the 75% percentile and maybe score an 85% and not have such a disparity with verbal. I can use your thoughts on what I can use to improve my quant. I've heard Total Math GMAT and the GMATClub tests are excellent tools one can use to improve performance in a retake. What are your experiences with these resources? Also, what other advice or techniques could you share? Thanks a lot guys!

gurpreetsingh · Answer

Congrats 690 is good score.

My advice is to revise MGMAT quant books especially Number properties.

Have you done OG12 and OG quant? If yes then do again if not then start doing them.

MGMAT QUANT books + OG12 + OG quant + GmatClub Tests + DS strategy = Q51 on GMAT. :lol:

RGM · Answer

I actually did the OG12 + VR2 + QR2 in conjunction with the MGMAT guides. But my mistake is that I didn't go through them a second time to see if I'll get the questions right knowing the things that I learned from going through them the first time. Thanks for the advice! :D

RGM · Answer

It's weird right? Makes you wonder what went wrong. Anyway, I'm planning on taking the test around that time - July 8 probably. For now, this is what I'm planning, after thinking where I could have stumbled on the real GMAT:

1 - Review OG12 + OG Quant + OG Verbal for the second time - focus on DS, set up error logs and aim to answer questions from what I learned from doing these things the first time around.
2 - Do all MGMAT CATs - I just got to do the first two since I was pressed for time. The Q part of the MGMAT CATs are really difficult - but somehow has the same feel of what I took in the real GMAT
3 - Do all GC Tests - how could I have overlooked this?!?! 
4 - Buy select sets from GMATHACKS' 1800 Math Questions - specifically DS Challenge, DS Fundamental and Extreme Challenge. (or do you think Total GMAT Math is better?)

Not sure about the Knewton. I think it's a great program but honestly, I find it expensive. Let's see down the road.

meghash3 · Answer

Friends...

same is the case with me, I am planning to take retest around 16th july. can you suggest wat exact material should i refer. for each of the 3 sections.

I did not refer any OG material in my first test 570- Q 44; V-22; not expected

GMAT prep1 - 650; GMAT live-730; kaplan 670.

kindly suggest the bare minimum; but optimum amt of material which can help me, i may not have the resources to buy all possible books under the sun.

RGM · Answer

Well, in my experience - the tests in the OG is a really good foundation. But I find that the questions in the real test to be more complex than the ones in the OG, not sure how others find it. What's good about the OG is that it's ordered in level of difficulty - so you can focus your studies based on this criteria. If you're going for the bare minimum, the OG is your best bet for fundamentals. And plus, you'd have hundreds of questions to practice on.

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690 (Q44, V40)

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