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01 Dec 2016, 17:30
Kudos
Bookmarks
I can really use some honest feedback about how I should go about the GMAT after studying for over 7 months and performing poorly on both practice tests and the official exams. My journey began towards the end of July 2015 when I took my first practice test and scored a 510, through the beginning of March 2016 when I scored a 430 on my second shot at the official exam. For more information on other practice tests and official exams, please refer to this chart: https://imgur.com/a/pWldH.
I did a self-study throughout the entire 7 months. My goal was to take the official exam in middle of November 2015. To that point, my studying materials were an OG book and Magoosh. When I took a GMAC practice test on 10/18/15 and performed even more poorly than my first practice test (in which I had done no prior studying for), I decided to postpone taking the official exam until a later date. Immediately thereafter, I purchased the entire collection of Manhattan Prep books and studied from those to go back and start from the basics. The information on the chart should explain the rest. Some other noteworthy facts:
- I studied approximately 4 hours a day Monday through Friday, and approximately 10 hours combined over the weekends
- I kept a thorough error log throughout the entire course of my study
- I referenced the forums on GMAT clubs numerous times and followed the explanations on the problems posted there
- I focused less on churning out problem after problem and more on approaching each problem conceptually
- I tried to apply each and every strategy I had learned. And there were lots of them as I had done a ton of research beforehand
After seeing the results of that second practice test, I decided to throw in the towel. Not sure what could explain my scores going backward, but I was too discouraged to move forward. Separately, I had an immediate family member who was in critical condition at a hospital from the second month of my studies through the very end of my GMAT journey. It was a rough period in my life, but I don't believe it could have played that much of a factor in my poor scores. My target score was somewhere in mid 600s.
I am now at a point where I am wondering if it's still worthwhile to give this exam another go and hope for a better outcome. What do you think? Is it worth my time, effort, and energy to try again, or am I just destined to perform poorly on the GMAT?
I did a self-study throughout the entire 7 months. My goal was to take the official exam in middle of November 2015. To that point, my studying materials were an OG book and Magoosh. When I took a GMAC practice test on 10/18/15 and performed even more poorly than my first practice test (in which I had done no prior studying for), I decided to postpone taking the official exam until a later date. Immediately thereafter, I purchased the entire collection of Manhattan Prep books and studied from those to go back and start from the basics. The information on the chart should explain the rest. Some other noteworthy facts:
- I studied approximately 4 hours a day Monday through Friday, and approximately 10 hours combined over the weekends
- I kept a thorough error log throughout the entire course of my study
- I referenced the forums on GMAT clubs numerous times and followed the explanations on the problems posted there
- I focused less on churning out problem after problem and more on approaching each problem conceptually
- I tried to apply each and every strategy I had learned. And there were lots of them as I had done a ton of research beforehand
After seeing the results of that second practice test, I decided to throw in the towel. Not sure what could explain my scores going backward, but I was too discouraged to move forward. Separately, I had an immediate family member who was in critical condition at a hospital from the second month of my studies through the very end of my GMAT journey. It was a rough period in my life, but I don't believe it could have played that much of a factor in my poor scores. My target score was somewhere in mid 600s.
I am now at a point where I am wondering if it's still worthwhile to give this exam another go and hope for a better outcome. What do you think? Is it worth my time, effort, and energy to try again, or am I just destined to perform poorly on the GMAT?
06 Dec 2016, 23:01
Kudos
Bookmarks
Dear Student,
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with the test despite having put in a lot of hard work. Remember that GMAT is just a test. If you put in your efforts in the right direction, you will succeed. GMAT is similar to one of the many challenges that you will face in your post MBA life. If you are dedicated and have the right strategy then you will succeed.
Why couldn't you get to your Target score?
The problem you're describing actually happens to many Test Takers who use a "book heavy" study approach and refer to Multiple resources to prepare.
You need a standard and unified strategy to approach the questions. Books / Different resources can't enable you to approach questions in a certain way. "Your way" of approaching the questions has you stuck at this current scoring level. To make a big improvement, you'll have to change your tactics.
Strategy for the test
Consider the following points while preparing for the test.
· Have a strategy that is based on core understanding of the concepts and application of the same to solve question.
· A strategy that is based on shortcuts, smart work, back solving, guess work etc doesn’t work in the actual test.
· Focus on one subject / section at a time and ensure that you improve in that section as per your desired score and then move on to the next section.
· Don’t study from multiple resources. Focus on improving your core skills first. Once you have done that then you may attempt questions from different resources.
· Study from the resource which gives you real-time feedback.
Way forward
Go through the Strategy webinar to understand the right and the most efficient to prepare/ ace the test. This session will equip you with the following:
· How to prepare for the exam.
· What’s the right strategy for you depending upon your Strengths and weaknesses.
· Make your study plan.
· What are the core skills that are needed to ace the GMAT.
· Implications of the recent announcements by GMAC on students from Asia as well as the USA.
Hope this helps. GMAT is not rocket science. Anyone can ace the test. What is important is how do you prepare yourself to ace the test – how you build up your skills and plan your move to tackle a question.
I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with the test despite having put in a lot of hard work. Remember that GMAT is just a test. If you put in your efforts in the right direction, you will succeed. GMAT is similar to one of the many challenges that you will face in your post MBA life. If you are dedicated and have the right strategy then you will succeed.
Why couldn't you get to your Target score?
The problem you're describing actually happens to many Test Takers who use a "book heavy" study approach and refer to Multiple resources to prepare.
You need a standard and unified strategy to approach the questions. Books / Different resources can't enable you to approach questions in a certain way. "Your way" of approaching the questions has you stuck at this current scoring level. To make a big improvement, you'll have to change your tactics.
Strategy for the test
Consider the following points while preparing for the test.
· Have a strategy that is based on core understanding of the concepts and application of the same to solve question.
· A strategy that is based on shortcuts, smart work, back solving, guess work etc doesn’t work in the actual test.
· Focus on one subject / section at a time and ensure that you improve in that section as per your desired score and then move on to the next section.
· Don’t study from multiple resources. Focus on improving your core skills first. Once you have done that then you may attempt questions from different resources.
· Study from the resource which gives you real-time feedback.
Way forward
Go through the Strategy webinar to understand the right and the most efficient to prepare/ ace the test. This session will equip you with the following:
· How to prepare for the exam.
· What’s the right strategy for you depending upon your Strengths and weaknesses.
· Make your study plan.
· What are the core skills that are needed to ace the GMAT.
· Implications of the recent announcements by GMAC on students from Asia as well as the USA.
Hope this helps. GMAT is not rocket science. Anyone can ace the test. What is important is how do you prepare yourself to ace the test – how you build up your skills and plan your move to tackle a question.
