A little depressed

Question

I took my third time GMAT yesterday and got a score 640 with Q:50 and V:26, almost the same score that I got last Jan.: 630 with Q:49 and V:27. To tell the truth, I tought that I can get 680+ until I saw my score.

I am thinking about take this challenge again next month; however, I believe the key part that I need to improve to get 700+ is the verbal section. How should I conquer my weakness? Does anyone can give me some advice? I really need help this moment. I am not a native speaker but I am willing to try everything to improve my verbal skills. For reference, here are some books I used to prepare my test: 1. Kaplan 2004 2. Kaplan 800 (not finish the CR part yet) 3. Princeton Review- Cracking the GMAT 2005 4. Verbal workout for the GMAT 5. Ace the GMAT (I think the CR part is quite useful but need to be used after you get familiar with the basic concept of CR) 6. Manhattan SC I also downloaded the Spidey's Sentence Correction Notes and collected some common idioms on the GMAT myself.

Paul · Answer

Hi Eileen, keep your chin up

To work on verbal, we have a good collection of SC questions, you might want to try those at: https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5210 Also, I would recommend you to go through the "best of GMATCLUB" forum and you will find many interesting discussions on good verbal questions. Next, I would suggest you to go through the "share your experience" section which contains a lot of good advices about successful members who walked through the GMAT "ordeal". Good luck

EileenWang · Answer

Thank you, Paul. I will cheer up and look for the bright side of the GMAT. :wink:

You use the word "ordeal" is really suitable for describing the GMAT. However, I am not afraid of taking it again and this time I will review this website throughly. 8-)

ashwini17 · Answer

eileen you have really done it all ,i just want you to reconsider your decision about writing GMAT again because this is your third attempt.

i know you can make it if youu dont give up but frankly i scored 650 today,this is my second attempt but i am planning to apply straight away(of course not top10 schools)
i would rather spend the time and resources on something more productive than GMAT
anyway good luck for your next attempt,assess all your strenghths and weaknesses before your next attempt .determine if you really need to write again

ash

Hjort · Answer

Hi, 

With due respect to Ashwini 17, studying for the GMAT can actually be extremely productive. For instance, it would behoove a students with a very low math subscore to work on his basic skills in mathematics since it would be quite unusual to observe a consistently low score on the math section for a student with a high standing on the construct of mathematical ability. A student with low standing on the construct of math would probably find himself in a difficult position when in business school. Likewise, a low verbal score is an outstanding opportunity to learn valuable skills such as reading comprehension, grammar, and logical reasoning that are likely to help you when studying at the graduate level. If you focus on skills rather than "gaming the test" this GMAT preparation process can be highly enlightening.

Ask Hjort How . . . 

Hjort

ashwini17 · Answer

i agree with you Hjort ,infact preparing for GMAT improved my verbal skills to a great extent ,i am not denying that but i just wanted to say that eileen doesnt need to attempt GMAT thrice to achieve that.

maybe eileen should take a break and enroll for some classes which will improve her weaknesses and get back to GMAT if she feels 700 is the ultimate way to reach nirvana
ash

Hjort · Answer

Ash makes a good point - one can only take the GMAT so many times before it starts to look odd. I think four takings should be the upper limit. 

Hjort

EileenWang · Answer

Thanks for all advice. Just as what Hjort said, so I think that the GMAT itself is a good opportunity to learn English. Frankly speaking, I plan to retake the test partly because I feel that during the preparation and the formal exam this time my verbal skills should be imporved since I took the GMAT in Jan. 2003. 

I just want to make sure that the books and the strategy I used are in the right way to prepare for the GMAT. And what's more important is, I BELIEVE that I can perform better on the basis of my hardworking. 

I also want to thanks ashwini17. I have applied for some schools last year and I know that there are other things at least as important as the GMAT score. However, the school that I want to enter did not give me an offer with the score 630 and I think one year more working experience may not enough to convince the admission commitee.

Hjort · Answer

Hi,

I have helped many students on tests of this nature and I have found that confidence is indeed one of the most important factors that contribute to a high score.

Hjort

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