Busted--Bombed--590--1st MCAT

Question

Dear All,

I just gave my 1st MCAT and have scored--

Quant--41
Verbal--31

Total--590.

I am targeting a score in the range of 680-720.I have completed every Manhattan Guides and also have exhausted most of the problems of OG16.I have not started preparation for RC yet and also had completed the Quant Preparations 15 days back and never reviewed it.Maybe that is the reason for such a bad score.

Please help as I was planning to give GMAT in May End.Also please suggest whether should I join any course or is it too late.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ynk,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied?
2) Have you used any other materials than the one's you listed?
3) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?

4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

Considering your score goal, you're likely going to need at least another 1-2 months of consistent, guided study to hit that score level.

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

ynk · Answer

Hi EmpowergmatRichC,

Here is the info you asked for--

1) How long have you studied?--2 Months (2 hrs daily and 4-5 hrs on weekends as I am currently working)
2) Have you used any other materials than the one's you listed?--No
3) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?--No Essay No IR.

4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?--In Sept 16 for 2017.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ynk,

By skipping the Essay and IR sections on this CAT, you took a shorter Exam that did not properly test your endurance, energy levels and accuracy in a way that the Official GMAT will. As such, this score result is likely inaccurate and 'inflated.' You should plan to take a new FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) sometime soon and report back here with your score. Until then, we really don't know what your current ability level is, so your current end-of-May Test Date might need to be pushed back.

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

ynk · Answer

Hi EmpowergmatRichC,

OK.Will try to give the complete test next weekend and will let you know for sure.

Just wanted to know about how we can increase our stamina during the exam as it becomes almost difficult to concentrate during the last few questions of verbal section and the score dramatically goes down.

Sorry for bothering again and again.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Your mock score shows a clear lack of fundamentals. In your preparation so far, how did you study? What material did you follow?

1. Did you complete both the sections? (There is a high penalty if you do not complete a section)

Also, I would recommend you to refrain from taking tests until you have gone through all the fundamentals. 
You need to build the concepts/fundamentals before you jump in solving the problems. You can do so by choosing one of the following ways:

1. In person classes/private tutoring
2. Online classes
3. Self paced online preparatory course
4. Book heavy approach

Since you have been following a book heavy approach, it might be a good idea to try another mode of learning. GMAT tests you on some concepts and fundamentals that you can learn from a course. Most of the preparatory companies including ours offer a free trial of our course. You can take the trial and see if the course suits your needs.

1. Understand the concepts and fundamentals before jumping into problem solving
2. Solve full length CATs including AWA and IR. You can get two free GMAT Prep mock CATs and can purchase two more from mba.com
3. Make sure you solve the official questions from the Official Guide

Not studying for the RC section would have definitely impacted your score. RC is the section that is mostly ignored by the students. Make sure you try to practice from the OG and the Verbal review and understand the different RC questions.
For the other sections, you should drill down deep and understand the problem types and topics that trouble you.

SC: The questions test various concepts such as S-V agreement, modifiers, parallelism etc. Find out what troubles you.
CR: There might be certain types of questions that are troubling you. May be Assumption, may be conclusion, inference etc.
You need to find that out and then practice them
RC: This again can be drilled down into different types of questions and also different topics. See what questions and topics trouble you the most and then practice accordingly.

Quants: You can again bifurcate the questions in different topics such as Algebra, Geometry, Number System etc.

To increase your stamina, you need to train hard for the test. Treat the GMAT like a marathon. You need to train hard to run the full distance. Similarly you need to train your body and mind for the full 4 hours. The best way to train is by giving full length mock CATs includinf AWA and IR. You can download 2 free GMAT prep CATs from mba.com and buy 4 additional.

I would also recommend you to postpone your test by at-least a month if you need to hit your target score.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ynk,

Many Test Takers become tired over the course of taking the Full GMAT, so you're not alone. As you continue to study, and take additional CATs, you'll likely get 'used to' taking the Test and become less fatigued over time. Unfortunately, if this is your FIRST CAT, then you haven't spent any time during your last 2 months of studies preparing for this particular issue. Thus, it's going to take some time for you to build up your stamina.

Beyond that, there are other factors to consider that will impact your energy levels during a Test: the amount of sleep you received the night before, the time you start your Exam, what you eat for breakfast, what you do during your two 8-minute breaks, etc. Thankfully, all of this can be planned for and you can make the necessary adjustments to your routine to maximize the physical aspects of how you're taking your CATs.

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

prabhakar09 · Answer

Hello YNK,

First of all if this is the first ever CAT that you have taken. Don't worry, many have improved from this point. I Also had scored 510 in mine and am working my way up right now.

So have faith .. there are many more of us on the same boat.

MGMAT is generally low scoring. i took 3 of them didn't hit 600. in other tests i am easily making 640.

The whole test is important, as mentioned by others. it may take longer. it may cause little problem by the end of the test (i am almost brain dead by verbal Q30-32). but in long run it will help.

Also if you have already completed the books look for some online content. you can buy some courses or go for free courses like gmatprepnow.com. I am currently using the gmatprepnow, though have not taken any test to know if its working.

Most importantly don't loose hope.

Busted--Bombed--590--1st MCAT

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