700+ in practice tests, 640 on the actual test. Help!

Question

Hello all, I am down in the dumps right now.

I took the GMAT today and scored a 640 (Q44, V34). I am more upset because I got a 710+ score in all the practice tests I took over the past few weeks, including a 780 on the 2nd GMATprep test. My verbal score since the first test I took before I started preparing for the GMAT has never been less than 38 and in the first ever practice test that I took back in June when I started preparing, I scored 630 (GMATprep). During the exam, I wasn't stressed out. In the quant section, I did feel like I was lagging behind on time around questions 25-26 but caught up in the next couple of questions and then maintained pace till the end of the section. I have now registered to retake the test on Nov. 5 and will be applying to most schools in R2. I am wondering what my strategy should be now. I have gone through the Manhattan quant study guides and the six practice tests. I will re-do the Manhattan verbal study guides. I am considering buying the GMATprep question pack1. Are there any other resources that I can use for building a stronger foundation in Math principles, than what is offered in the Manhattan guides? I'd really appreciate any advice that you guys may have. Thanks.

BrushMyQuant · Answer

Hi

First thing: People do screw up in the first GMAT exam so don't panic... take it as a learning and prepare harder for the next exam!
I got a 570 in my first gmat when i scoring 720+ in my mock tests! Check out my Debrief:
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/570-to-700-my-gmat-journey-133461.html

I have written a post on how to gmat preparations (this is how i did for both the times i wrote the actual exam)
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-start-gmat-preperations-136048.html

For Quant i have written a post on how to improve quant score
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-improve-quant-score-137975.html

How about making a progress chart or error log? I talk about that in how to gmat preparations link shared above.

For practice try grockit.com (its questions are timed... just give it a try and you will know how good it is!)
Also, try gmatclub questions.. gmatclub tag link is
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/viewforumtags.php

For Verbal.. can you be more specific where you screwed up? I screwed up in SC and RC i guess and i tried Thursdays with Ron and it helped me a lot!
 https://vimeo.com/user3635135/videos

Last but not the least: have a little faith and believe in urself and the target was NEVER far anyways!

Good Luck!

asharma86 · Answer

Thanks so much, nktdotgupta. That definitely helps.

I don't really know where I screwed up in Verbal. I think RC might have been it, but like you said in your post, in some of the practice tests, I got confused between two choices and ended up choosing the wrong one. I will re-do MGMAT CR and try Thursdays with Ron, as well.

What do you think about the GMATPrep Question Bank1? I am considering buying it to practice more questions closest to ones on the actual test.

Carcass · Answer

For the last one, a lot (and instructors) say that is worth

For me is a good investement

BrushMyQuant · Answer

I have not used it but heard a lot of good reviews about them. If money is not a constraint for you then you can definitely give it a shot as doing more of official questions will always boost your confidence!
For CR i will suggest you to go through powerscore CR bible and nothing else (i think its the best in the business!)

If you need more practice questions then try gmatclub questions.. link to which is already shared with you above.
Also, try grockit.com and this time try to put more emphasis on RC and they have the MOST weight-age in the whole GMAT exam!

Good Luck!

asharma86 · Answer

Thanks, nkdotgupta and carcass. GMATprep Question bank and Powerprep it is, then. Will also try Grockit. Thanks again.

bb · Answer

What are your raw scores in practice CAT's?

Did you have any repeat questions in the GMAT Prep? I can't quite figure out how you would have such a difference in scores... really big. There is a standard error of 40 in the GMAT, so you could have had 780 and 700 (assuming 40x2) but not 140 points of difference... very unusual. Definitely need to take another practice test. It also may just need you to retake the GMAT. sometimes people have improved 50-100 points by just retaking.

asharma86 · Answer

By raw scores you mean the CAT scores I got when I started my prep? That would be 630 (low 40s in V and high 30s in Q). I worked really hard in Quant after that since I knew it was my weak point and was consistently scoring 45+ in all the 5-6 tests I took in the last 3 weeks or so. I don't think there were any repeat questions in the GMAT prep, it could be the case but I didn't really notice. Which practice test do you recommend I take again to see where I stand before I start the prep again? I have 5-6 weeks before my 2nd attempt and want to make good use of that time.

Also, do you think of the GMAT question bank? I am considering buying it. I also have the GMAT club app and will do the questions from it again.

Carcass · Answer

Can you suggest the best material to hit the most difficult Sc question ??' I mean free sources. I have already seen all videos by ron. do you have a suggestion ??

Thanks

BrushMyQuant · Answer

Am not sure aboutvery hard questions.. I used to practice only from gmatclub and grockit
You can try grockit hard questions. They might be the one you looking for.

soumens · Answer

That's very odd and unusual. Rather scares since I will take GMAT in 25 days.

Maybe u can go for trial of eGMAT and see if you like that.

Not sure if you are weak in verbal though, since you scored good on your mocks.

Anyway Cheer up now and Best of Luck!!

madhushreeag · Answer

Hi

I scored 680 on GMAT ( 32 Verbal, 50 Quant, 4.5 AWA and 8 on Integrative Reasoning). I have a 115 on TOEFL ( 29,29,29,28 scores on 4 sections). My Profile - Electrical Engineering from a REC, MBA in HR from MDI Gurgaon, 14 months of work experience as HR Advisor in one of the biggest mutual funds company.
I am applying to UT Austin(McCombs Business School) only. Please suggest if I should give the GMAT again. I was consistently scoring 720+ on all mock tests. Will scoring high in GMAT especially in Verbal area and AWA increase my chance of getting in or do these score reflect poor/insufficient language skills?

ManhattanReview · Answer

Based on my personal and professional experience, this is not uncommon. The good news is that you can take the test again (although this is not what you wanted to hear) and I am sure that with proper preparation that you will achieve your target score. Many small things could potentially go wrong on the exam that can impact your score so do not think that there was anything wrong with your study strategy and test prep -- it was just probably a few minor issues that when added together caused a 60 point drop. Do not give up and keep on plugging along and you will soon be reporting that you scored above a 700 on the test.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

BrushMyQuant · Answer

HI,

How is the prep going?
Any updates? What strategy did you follow for Quant and Verbal?
Good Luck!

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700+ in practice tests, 640 on the actual test. Help!

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