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alexh98
Joined: 04 May 2023
Last visit: 10 Mar 2025
Posts: 2
Location: Spain
Schools: HBS '27 Wharton '27 Columbia '27 Booth '27 MIT '27 Stern '27
GRE 1: Q168 V162
GPA: 3.8
Hi everyone,
I originally took the GMAT in 2019 with no prep and scored a 540 (34Q, 30V).
Fast forward 4 years, in May 2023, I decided to give the GMAT a serious go and commenced my journey with TargetTestPrep.
6 Months later I had completed their 740+ Expert course with a pretty good overall performance (84% accuracy on Quant and 78% accuracy on Verbal) and started taking Official GMAT practice tests with the following performance:
1) 700 (Q44, V41) [11/05/23]
2) 730 (Q49, V41) [11/11/23]
3) 710 (Q49, V38) [11/19/23]
The day after my 3rd practice test I thought it was time to give the real test a go:
OFFICIAL RESULT 1) 680 (Q44, V38), IR7
This was incredibly disappointing. I was nervous and could only manage to sleep 5 hours before the 8am test, but no excuses, I failed to reach my 700+ goal.
Three days after my official 680 score I took my 4th practice test:
4) 750 (Q50, V41)
My question for everyone is --> did I just have a bad test day? Should I ignore that score and continue as if that never happened? How should I learn from the 680 to reach my 700+ goal?
I originally took the GMAT in 2019 with no prep and scored a 540 (34Q, 30V).
Fast forward 4 years, in May 2023, I decided to give the GMAT a serious go and commenced my journey with TargetTestPrep.
6 Months later I had completed their 740+ Expert course with a pretty good overall performance (84% accuracy on Quant and 78% accuracy on Verbal) and started taking Official GMAT practice tests with the following performance:
1) 700 (Q44, V41) [11/05/23]
2) 730 (Q49, V41) [11/11/23]
3) 710 (Q49, V38) [11/19/23]
The day after my 3rd practice test I thought it was time to give the real test a go:
OFFICIAL RESULT 1) 680 (Q44, V38), IR7
This was incredibly disappointing. I was nervous and could only manage to sleep 5 hours before the 8am test, but no excuses, I failed to reach my 700+ goal.
Three days after my official 680 score I took my 4th practice test:
4) 750 (Q50, V41)
My question for everyone is --> did I just have a bad test day? Should I ignore that score and continue as if that never happened? How should I learn from the 680 to reach my 700+ goal?
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V51
Posts: 1,924
Basically, yes, you just had a bad test day.
At the same time, there are things you can actively do to achieve your target score next time.
For instance, were you taking practice tests at 8 am, the same time as your scheduled GMAT? If not, then doing so would be one move you could make next time to help ensure that you score the same on the real thing as on your practice tests.
Also, unless you are really a ready to rock at 8 am type of person, then scheduling the test for a few hours later, if possible, could be helpful.
Finally, there are things you can do to reduce test anxiety, such as visualization of yourself taking the test to achieve sort of an exposure therapy.
For some more ideas, see this post.
https://blog.targettestprep.com/test-anxiety/
_________________
At the same time, there are things you can actively do to achieve your target score next time.
For instance, were you taking practice tests at 8 am, the same time as your scheduled GMAT? If not, then doing so would be one move you could make next time to help ensure that you score the same on the real thing as on your practice tests.
Also, unless you are really a ready to rock at 8 am type of person, then scheduling the test for a few hours later, if possible, could be helpful.
Finally, there are things you can do to reduce test anxiety, such as visualization of yourself taking the test to achieve sort of an exposure therapy.
For some more ideas, see this post.
https://blog.targettestprep.com/test-anxiety/
_________________
Perfect scoring coach with a legacy of helping test-takers achieve their goals
https://martymurraycoaching.com/
Contact me for a free consultation.
https://martymurraycoaching.com/
Contact me for a free consultation.
Sorry about the score.
It is likely a combination of stress and luck. Looks like you scored the lowest of your gmat prep practice tests. Bummer.
At the same time I would say that everyone gets barely any sleep before the test and everyone is nervous and everyone has anxiety. So I can’t say that you did worse than other people but it may not be your personal best if you don’t handle stress well.
I’m not sure what other experts feel about the six month journey. I feel six months is a long time to push and if you passed a chapter 6 months ago, it doesn’t mean you’ll do as well on it today. So there may be some slippage happening as well but that’s slippage would’ve been reflected in your practice tests.
PS. The tests 3-6 have a small question database mostly consisting of easier questions and quite a few people have been either penalized or received inflated scores as the result of this issue so it made it harder to judge your own performance but I think 750 vs 680 should be a pretty meaningful difference that even if there is some error in the algorithm, you should be able to push at least 720 in your next real test.
PS. The part that ruins most people scores is bad timing on the test where they spend most time in the first 10 or 15 questions and then they have to rush through the rest. Make sure not to make that mistake
Posted from my mobile device
_________________
It is likely a combination of stress and luck. Looks like you scored the lowest of your gmat prep practice tests. Bummer.
At the same time I would say that everyone gets barely any sleep before the test and everyone is nervous and everyone has anxiety. So I can’t say that you did worse than other people but it may not be your personal best if you don’t handle stress well.
I’m not sure what other experts feel about the six month journey. I feel six months is a long time to push and if you passed a chapter 6 months ago, it doesn’t mean you’ll do as well on it today. So there may be some slippage happening as well but that’s slippage would’ve been reflected in your practice tests.
PS. The tests 3-6 have a small question database mostly consisting of easier questions and quite a few people have been either penalized or received inflated scores as the result of this issue so it made it harder to judge your own performance but I think 750 vs 680 should be a pretty meaningful difference that even if there is some error in the algorithm, you should be able to push at least 720 in your next real test.
PS. The part that ruins most people scores is bad timing on the test where they spend most time in the first 10 or 15 questions and then they have to rush through the rest. Make sure not to make that mistake
Posted from my mobile device
_________________
Posts: 5,203
Quote:
The ESR may be worth checking out. Replaying what happened during the exam as you look over the data may provide some insight. If time management was an issue, consider using question/time markers.
How to score high on the GMAT. Why solving approach is important.
Score-Quest
Expert
Tutor
Joined: 02 Oct 2023
Last visit: 23 Jul 2025
Posts: 200
Status:GMAT Tutor | MBA Admissions Mentor
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V45
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 770 Q51 V45
Posts: 200
alexh98
Hi there,
I wouldn't say you had a bad test day; it was more like you didn't have a great one, which is totally normal. It's common to see a deviation of about 10 to 20 points between practice tests and the actual exam. In your case, it seems like the Quant section was where you underperformed compared to your mock tests. My suggestion? Focus on some targeted Quant practice to build your confidence in that area. Remember, a lot of test-taking is about mindset. Approach the test confidently, and I'm confident you'll reach your 700+ goal. Keep pushing, and good luck!
ScottTargetTestPrep
Expert
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 12 May 2026
Posts: 22,334
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert reply
Posts: 22,334
Hi alexh98,
It does sound as though you had a bad day! Did you decide how to proceed?
_________________
It does sound as though you had a bad day! Did you decide how to proceed?
_________________
Scott Woodbury-Stewart | Founder and
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