Bad GMAT experience 620-710-710

Question

Hi,
 Following are my actual GMAT scores
Nov 2008: 620. Preparation: approx 2 months - do not remember now
Nov 2009: 710 (Q 48, V 40). Preparation: 45 days
6th Nov 2010: 710 (Q 47, V 41). Preparation: 3.5 months (started Jul 21st).

I am very disappointed that my score has not improved by even 20 pts this 3rd time. Especially I expected at least 43/44 in V.

I never took any coaching. Even though I am from the Indian IT pool, I find that I am not as great in Quant as my peers and really feel that it is tough (I never got 50 in the mocks, got 49 once). I feel comfortable in English but my hard work & perceived fluency are not getting translated into a higher V score.

Second attempt: For the second time, I had purchased MGMAT SC book and had taken the 6 tests. I also applied last year for universities but could not get thru. Being from the Indian Engr pool, my GMAT was/is on the lower side. But it may be a combination of poor essays and low GMAT.

Third attempt: This time, I purchased all MGMAT Q books and went thru all. I retook all the MGMAT tests + GMATPrep twice + Veritas free test + Knewton free test + Platinum GMAT free test + GMAT Club diagnostic test etc. I was getting 740+ in GMAT Prep and MGMAT.

Please offer your suggestions for my next steps.

1) I feel that I have crossed the limits of max GMAT attempts. Are GMAT scores in 4th attempt considered positively? If it is worth taking it again, should I get some coaching and is Knewton a good choice..? I have seen specific positive reviews but do not have an overall picture? And is the money back guarantee of <50+ score really honored?

I do not consider scholarships as an imp point but definitely would like to get into a top 10 or at least a top 15 b-school (which would also automatically help me in getting a loan arranged). Plus I do not have that great differentiators in my profile. Also, I have heard that consulting companies(Big-3) consider your GMAT score for MBA job interviews too...

2) Probably the best way is to move fwd with the apps now, which is again a problem since the second round is halfway through. Secondly, if I apply for univ, will my same score in 3rd attempt be considered negatively. Worse, my Q went down by 1.

Eagerly awaiting your helpful comments.

Thanks
gmatbestshot.

jordanhendrix · Answer

yea its unfortunate that you didn't move up the 3rd time around, 710 is a great score and puts you in the running for any school. a few extra points in verbal wouldn't make that much of a difference really, your V percentile is already awesome. Its time to work on apps now.

jordanhendrix · Answer

oh yeah almost forgot here is a thread on this topic: should-i-retake-gmat-thread-retaking-gmat-strategies-83339.html

gmatbestshot · Answer

Thanks jordanhendrix..I am seeing this thread.

Fijisurf · Answer

What were your scores for MGMAT tests?

adishail · Answer

Just my two cents - I would say that you should move on. This is as good as it gets. You need to move on and focus on other aspects of your app.

Good Luck.

Posted from my mobile device

gmatbestshot · Answer

For the record, I retook the GMAT yesterday and got a 740 (Q50, V 40). Again, my verbal went down one point from 41 to 40, even though I had spent more time practising Verbal for the most part and was much more confident than before. For Math, I just realized that I need to relax and concentrate more and that did the trick. There was no part which I had not covered before, it was just the presence of mind that mattered more here.

Q: There was one question in Q which I could not finish even in 4 min and I consciously marked some ans and moved ahead, only to finish with 3-4 min to spare.
V: I chose some random answers for 2 CR questions (Q 38,39). I just submitted some answer for the SC (41) even though I had some 15 sec...I wonder would that last question alone given me a 41..? But I was too tensed about finishing the test...

My GMAT Prep test scores 2 days before the test:

G1: 770 (Q 50, V 44)
G2: 740 (Q 50, V 38). Yes V 38, not V 40 or 41. This indicates that GMAT Prep software is quite 'outdated' even though you download the latest exe, since even Q 50/V 38 gives you 740 but in the real GMAT, only Q 50/V 40 gives 740.

I (re)took the MGMAT tests too and was getting V 44, V 45 etc.

I am again disappointed that my verbal has gone down. Atleast if I had gotten 41 as earlier, my score would have been 750.

But certain things are the way they are..it is what it is.

Thanks.

whiplash2411 · Answer

You can't really say that a 41 V would have guaranteed a 750, really. The time difference in taking the tests is one factor, but also that there are score ranges that correspond to the same cumulative score. I got a Q50V44 and a 760, but I also know people who've gotten Q50V42 with a 760 and people with a Q50V44 with a 750. It's really about the range you fall in. At this point, it's safe to stop studying for the GMAT and get on with the apps

Good luck!

gmatbestshot · Answer

Yes, I get what you are saying...750 was not guaranteed anyway..it was only a chance...

kunsanju · Answer

HI
I think after reading your descriptive answer..I MUST ADMIT THAT U MUST AVAIL COACHING..also you must try The Chopras, these guys are really amazing.

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