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Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460

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albe
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Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   25 Oct 2011, 21:12
Test 1: 500
Verbal: 28
Quantitative: 31
Essay: 5.0

Test 2: 610
Verbal: 35
Quantitative: 39
Essay: 5.0

Test 3: 460
Verbal: 26
Quantitative: 27
Essay: 6.0

Background: For all three tests I primarily used Kaplan. For the first test I took a live classroom course, the second test I took a Kaplan live online class and the third test I took a live online Kaplan Advanced class. I thought the Kaplan Advanced course would cover new questions but it didn't. They did send me an advanced book but the question count was very limited.

With all three tests I used the following prep material MGMAT Guide 4: Word Translations, MGMAT Guide 5: Geometry, and OG 12th edition. For my third test I burnt out way before the official test day because when I was taking the first set of Kaplan CATs I was scoring back and forth between 590 and 570. On my final CAT I completely bombed it. Fatigue set in and I scored 540, I was literally going through the motions during the practice CAT. I sat for the exam the next day and ended up with a 460 (embarrassing and shocking all at once, because I previously got a 610 ). I just don't know what happened, I should have at least scored a 610 (maybe).

I can narrow down the mistakes I made when studying all three times: I did not keep and error log, I used very familiar content (which I thought would be a non issue), and my studying was not 100% focused, it was very scattered. I did clock in at least 3 hours during the week and at least 5 hours during the weekend, but like I said very scattered and often interrupted.

As I am writing this it feels silly because my problems seem very evident, in regards to the amount of time I spent studying and the material I used. But I am writing this post in hopes that maybe someone can give me advice about a new approach I should take, and books I should use. I think maybe I need to brush up on the fundamentals, and definitely take tests from other test prep course besides Kaplan. I don't know if it's worth investing more money into another course, I just looked up the MGMAT bootcamp course, maybe that's worth it?

Help!?!

I really don't know what happened the third time around (I know I was very nervous). I am planning on taking it again, but before I waste more time (I will actually focus this time), and money I was hoping someone would have some insight (even if it is harsh).
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sandeepg1983
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   26 Oct 2011, 01:16
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Hey , I think it was just bad luck. Looking at your scores it is evident that you definitely can get a much, much better score but sometimes **** happens :cry: . If you miss first couple of questions in the exam it is impossible to get to a higher score, and this is the reason I hate all computer adaptive tests. My guess is that you were much better prepared this time but tried to over-think during those first few questions which have obvious answers, no tricks. This the problem with doing a lot of difficult questions , we try to think every question is a trick question :shock: .

My advice (might look stupid), if you want to hit 700 plus, only do OG12 questions and GMAT-prep a week before exam nothing else.. helps you realize very few questions are tricky.
Final advice as soon as you hit your desired score or higher, 3 times in row on GMAT prep, take the test date within a week or so.. you have reached the top of the curve and can give best performance at that time.

I hope that helps !!
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albe
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   01 Nov 2011, 19:44
Hi sandeepg1983,

Thank you for your response. Yea the score was very unfortunate, but like you said **** happens. :|

I will take your advice but since I'm feeling a bit shaken and extremely nervous about the retake I think I will first just read over the GMAT critical reasoning bible, MGMAT SC, then practice problems from the Kaplan GMAT workbook, OG verbal review, OG quantitative review then finally the OG and GMAT prep.The only reason I would look at the other books is because I don't want to burn myself out too much but I want to calm myself down a bit by reviewing material I didn't really look at the second time around.

Do you think it's too much prep that may lead to a burn out again, given that your advice was OG12 and GMAT prep?

I plan/hope to retake it in Dec.

Thanks!
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   01 Nov 2011, 19:46
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Don't give up. Keep studying.
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albe
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   01 Nov 2011, 19:54
Thank you kostyan5 for the encouragement!! :-D

Have you taken exam?
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kostyan5
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   01 Nov 2011, 19:55
Not yet. I'm studying now. I'm in no hurry so I'm doing it without pressure.
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sandeepg1983
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   02 Nov 2011, 03:57
Hey, if you are not planning to apply this year.. I would say take more time for GMAT for example take gmat in February . Also don't take the appointment now.. but wait until you are prepared and then take the earliest available.
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   02 Nov 2011, 11:12
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Hey albe,

I would definitely say yes to your question "can studying too much burn you out?".

I'm on a really similar path on my GMAT journey as you are. My first attempt in 2010 I scored a dismal 420, even though I was scoring a 600 on average. That got me soo upset that I took a few months off, and started studying again in Jan 2011. I originally scheduled my 2nd attempt at the GMAT for April 2011, but after almost 4 months of studying hard core, I burnt myself out again and decided to move the date. So now I'm currently studying, and my exam is scheduled for Dec 13, 2011. I took some time off during the summer to really find that inspiration again and to listen to myself. I found out that personally I got caught up in the go go go of GMAT studying too much, which was in addition to running a business, and would easily burn myself out after 3 months or so of studying. So this time around, i've made a few changes to my studying strategy. In general I put in about 2-3 hours a day on the weekday, and on the weekend about 3-5 hours each day. If i feel myself really getting agitated and frustrated though, I take a break, even for a full day if I have to; as appose to the first couple of attempts where I would just keep going even if I was insanely frustrated.

My practice GMAT's aren't at the level I want them to be yet, but I know what my weaknesses are, especially thanks to an error log, and I know I still have to work on my timing, which actually tends to hurt my score the most it seems.

I think in the end the GMAT is a true test of really knowing yourself in and out, and I think everybody that has taken the GMAT, and i'm talking about those people that don't score a 600+ on there first practice tests or actual attempts, which there seems to be a lot of on this forum :lol: , would agree with me that alot of it comes down to having HOPE! Hope in yourself!

Anyways let me know how your journey is going, and if I come across anything that I think can help you, i'll definitely keep you posted.

Don't give up HOPE! Keep your head up!

NoObstacles.
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sandeepg1983
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink] New post   02 Nov 2011, 11:18
One more word of caution: do not try to study the night before.. Unwind and have fun.. since you have already worked hard for last few months and nothing that you do or worry about is gonna change the outcome.
I spent almost all of the evening the day before exam watching TV and thinking of funny answers to essay questions on GMAT :P
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Re: Clearly something went from 500 to 610 to 460 [#permalink]
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