Can't seem to get over 450 in GMAT POWERPREP....HEEEEELLLLLPPPP!!!!!

Question

Hi

I took a first GMAT POWERPREP test one week ago to see how I'm standing and scored 440. Pretty bad but it was a start. 
The whole last week I have spent time reading the "POWERSCORE CRITICAL REASONING BIBLE" and practicing with the OG 15. 
Especially the last 3 days I felt like I'm really getting the feel for the test, understanding the logic and so forth. So I decided to take another POWERPREP test yesterday and scored exactly the same!!!!
The confidence I had when doing the actual test was sort of lower than while practicing, and the feeling of hardly missing practice questions was gone ( also because the clock ticking made me unconsciously feel under pressure). I have this practice technique where I time myself with 2 mins. at a time for every practice question, but I guess this is not fast enough.

Also, what I noticed from the test answers, I did a lot of unnecessary reasoning errors and many times came into panicking looking for an answer because I had spent too much time searching for a solution already. I was clearly not calm!!!!! What are possible improvement techniques with this test?

I would love to get as much feedback as possible!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi michelerieben,

I'd like to know a bit more about your studies so far and your timeline/goals:

1) What is your goal score?
2) How long have you been studying?
3) What materials have you been using?
4) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on each of these CATs?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

michelerieben · Answer

Hi Rich, good news. Took the POWERPREP test a second time and am now almost at 500. Much calmer than before while doing it.

In answering the questions:
1) I would like to get into a good business school (MBA) in the States that would later allow me a certain high chance to get a good job in the business industry. Don't know how much I would need to get into the top 30. I've heard various opinions about getting into the top 10 even with 600s on the test.
2) I've been fully concentrating a week now, everyday 8 hours.
3)"POWERSCORE CRITICAL REASONING BIBLE" and OG 15. Should probably also start using the "MG sentence correction guide". But any other tutorial help is welcome.
4) Quant perc. 26, verbal 36.
5) Really have no clue yet when I should schedule it. Like I said I am trying to gather enough information out the to get an idea of how much is needed on the test in order to get into good schools. Once I know that I can arrange my training accordingly.

Thanks a lot, Mike

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Mike,

Since you're early on in your studies, you should NOT be focused on pacing just yet - instead, you should be focused on learning the necessary knowledge and practicing the proper tactics (your pacing will improve over time).

Retaking a CAT that you're already taken almost always leads to an 'inflated' score (since you saw some questions that you had already answered), so it's not accurate to think that you improved 60 points in a matter of days. Going forward, you should plan to take a *new* FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) every 1-2 weeks.

When I asked for the Scaled Scores for the Quant and Verbal sections on these CATs, I did NOT mean the 'percentiles' (the Scaled Scores are the other numbers). That information can give me a much better idea of your personal strengths and weaknesses.

To help you better define your goals, I suggest that you put together a list of some of the Schools/Programs that might interest you, then research what their average GMAT scores are (for incoming classes). That information will give you a better sense of what YOUR goal score should be.

Do you know when you want to apply to Business School?

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

michelerieben · Answer

Hi Rich

Thanks a lot for the reply. Sorry about the scores before: 31V/25Q are the results.
It was the second test on the POWERPREP I took, so everything was new question wise. But I still had a much better feeling than in the first one, so I believe I improved.

Good question when you ask me about the business schools I want to apply to. I sincerely don't have a clue what can be possible or how far my potential can go. Also, cost wise I think the top MBAs seem to bit a lot more expensive. I have the feeling though that coming from Europe I need to position myself as high as possible in order to apply for a job visa once I graduate. It's difficult for anyone outside the States to get the H1B visa, so that's why I should aim as high as possible.

Also, I am looking for the next possible MBA start which I believe is next Fall(2016). I have an application outstanding though right now with U Minnesota in a sports management degree. I have been playing tennis on a high level throughout undergrad school and after, so going into that direction is also an option. Just trying to give you as much information as possible. Regards, Mike

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Mike,

Since you're not on a particular timeline/deadline and you don't have a specific score goal, you can proceed as you see fit. There is something to be said for following a study routine/plan, since that will help keep your studies efficient and focused. You might want to consider a GMAT Course (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at out site (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional question, then just let me know.

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

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Can't seem to get over 450 in GMAT POWERPREP....HEEEEELLLLLPPPP!!!!!

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