Blanked out during GMAT exam

EMPOWERgmatRichC

Hi EMPOWERgmatRichC, thanks for coming forward to help me. Here are the responses for your question

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
I have developed keen interest in GMAT in March 2016 and have enrolled at the local institute for class room training june through august 2016.
2) What materials have you used?
I had solved the OG 2016, Verbal review 2016 and Quant review 2016. I had read through Manhattan quant and verbal guides also
3) How did you score on the Official GMAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
My score was very low Verbal 27 Quant 43 IR 3 Total 580. On my first mock even before I start my preparation I had scored 620. On subsequent mocks I scored 640,660,640.
Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
My goal score 720
5) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
Yes I definitely will.
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
I intended to apply for 2017 if my score was better but now I need to get good score and will apply as soon as possible.
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
Indian School of Business, Said, NYU Stern, Fosters, NUS,

Thanks for looking forward to helping me out. Appreciate your efforts.

Balaji

ScottTargetTestPrep
Hi ScottTargetTestPrep,

Thanks for coming forward to help me. Here are my responses for your questions. Appreciate your concern.

1) What is your GMAT score goal?
My score goal is 720
2) Did you get your enhanced score reports? If not, could you do so and share the score breakdown from your GMAT?
No, I didn't get enhanced report. I don't think getting an enhanced report would benefit my purpose. Coz my performance was much lower than my usual levels. In all mock tests I scored > 620 Including my first mock. my break up is V27,Q43,IR 3 Total 580
3) Can you provide us with the dates and score breakdowns from your Official GMAT prep practice exams? When you took the practice tests, did you take them under realistic conditions (e.g. in a quiet environment, no extended breaks)? Did you complete the entire CAT, including the IR and Essay sections?
yes, I did try to replicate the entire exam conditions. with no extended brakes and including essay, IR sections. I shall give the break up in few hours.
4) Describe your study routine. What resources did you use to study? How many hours a day did you study?
I studied 1-2 hrs for 1 month and increased to 2-3 Hrs till 15 days before the exam and studied 4-5 hrs last 15 days. I used all official materials and manhattan guides.
5) What are the MBA programs to which you plan to apply? What deadlines are you targeting?
I was targeting 2017 season but seems I need reassess my plans.

Hi Balaji,

I have a few additional questions about your lead-up to Test Day and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
6) Did you finish any sections early?
7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?

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

Thank you for answering my questions. If I am following your response correctly, you only studied for 1 month? Although you seem to have put in a decent number of study hours, it’s possible that one month was not enough time to absorb/learn the GMAT knowledge needed for a 720. Thus, on your actual GMAT, your weaknesses could have been exposed, causing a level of panic that you had not previously felt on any practice GMAT exams.

Remember, the GMAT is such a challenging exam because there are relatively few questions asked in a given exam, yet those questions come from a huge topic pool. Thus, the best way to get a great GMAT score is to have a thorough understanding of all the topics that may be tested on the exam. To develop such mastery, you want to strive for linear and targeted learning and follow that with focused practice. In other words, you want to master one topic before you move to the next. Have you been able to do this?

Also, I see you have been using the OG as your main study resource.The Official Guide is a great book because it has official questions from past GMATs; however, there are not enough questions given about each topic to provide full exposure to all GMAT topics. Additionally, the questions are presented in a random order, so it’s challenging to use the OG for focused practice.
Thus, when prepping for a retake, you may consider a more robust study resource than a GMAT prep book; try an online self-study course. If you are unsure of what is available, you can check out the course reviews at GMAT Club or Beat The GMAT.

To help diagnose your GMAT quant strengths and weaknesses, I welcome you to take my 37-question quant diagnostic. After completing the diagnostic, you will be provided with a detailed analysis of your proficiency level of all GMAT quant topics as well as an opportunity to discuss your diagnostic results with me or another TTP instructor/coach.

Feel free to reach out with any further questions. Good luck!

You're psyching yourself out -- which is not uncommon for a high-pressured test. You should simulate exam conditions for the practice tests you take. Get into the mental mindset and think a lot about psychology.
Practice short periods of intense focus followed by rest periods. If you don't practice that intense focus before going into the real thing, how will you actually handle the real thing? Simulate it.
https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-psychology ... trategies/

EMPOWERgmatRichC

I understand that these are very much valid questions. I am certain that they would have affected my performance during the exam. It is quite critical to analyse these situations. Here are my responses.

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
3rd & 2nd day before GMAT I was revising math concepts from manhattan guides
1day before GMAT I didn't study much actually. I had visited test center (took a taxi 1 Hr drive) and came back home.

2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
Night before test I wasn't able to sleep properly. Sleeping was irregular over the night.

3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
The ride was 30 min. I took a taxi from my home to the test center.

4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
This actually is an important question. There was some disturbance in the building due to some renovation activity. I had to use those heavy noise cancelling headphones. I had never used them before.

5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
8 min breaks were normal, regular restroom visit followed by water, orange juice and snickers.

6) Did you finish any sections early?
Strangely, Though I had to guess many questions, I didn't finish any section early. I kind of feel I spent allocated time on most of the questions. Just that I couldn't get right answers probably because I didn't understand questions correctly (may be due to blanking out) or there was some hand calculation mistake.

7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?
Yes, I had to guess on many questions but did not rush through the sections. because of reasons mentioned in question 6, I couldn't get right answers.

Your help is highly appreciated

Thanks
Balaji

ScottTargetTestPrep

Thanks for your response. My total prep duration was 2 months ( 1 month of 1-2 Hrs a day, followed by 2-3 Hrs a day for 15 days and 4-5 Hrs a day during following 15 days towards exam). Sorry for my miscommunication. However, I understand the importance of preparation time, course materials and a robust study resource. Thanks for your advise regarding the diagnostic test. I shall take it up soon. Thanks for your willingness to help me. Appreciate it.

Thanks
Balaji

Hi Balaji,

Considering all of the information that you've provided, there are a number of factors that impacted your performance on Test Day. I will say that you made some smart choices along the way though, even though your score result was not what you had hoped. By keeping your studies light in the last few days before your Official GMAT, visiting the Test Center before your actual Test Date and planning your snacks for your two 8-minute breaks, you have shown that you can properly plan and put yourself into a position to succeed.

Here are some factors that we can reasonably say impacted your score on Test Day though:

1) Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort yet to have scored higher.
2) A poor night's sleep would likely hurt anyone's performance on the GMAT. While adrenaline could have helped you keep focus during the earlier parts of the Exam, by the time you got to the Verbal section, you were likely too fatigued to perform at your best.
3) Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level. Since you never got close to a 720 during your studies, that score was unlikely on Test Day.

Given your Official Score and your practice CAT scores, your current ability level is likely in the low-600s. Raising that score to a 720+ will take some considerable time and effort - and you'll have to make improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. I think that another 2 months of consistent, guided study will be needed, with an emphasis on learning and practicing some new Tactics. This will also likely require that you invest in some new, non-book study materials.

1) Have you thought about when you might retake the GMAT?

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

EMPOWERgmatRichC

Thanks a lot for your analysis. I am grateful for your time spent. I can completely relate to your points listed. I am certain that these factored in on that day leading to dismal performance. I am planning on scheduling next exam in the month of Jan/Feb 2017 so that I could utilize Dec holiday season effectively. Also, I intend to utilize as much material and suggestions available in gmatclub & beatthegmat blogs. This is something I missed previously. As far as investing into a formal learning program, I think I will have to ponder upon this idea further. As my previous investment with a training institute proved futile. I don't intend to abandon that institute and their material. I may probably go back to them in an to get my money's value. Having said that, I don't completely disregard the option taking up new course. Just that, It might be a bit heavy on my financials. Will consider investing if things tending to go out of control.

Thanks a lot for your time and attention appreciate your help
Have a great day
Balaji