Frustrated at this Point in the Journey......

I started planning for the GMAT 5 years ago. I always wanted an MBA due in part to self improvement and in part to love of learning. After spending 5 months of hard studying, K, PR, MGMAT, OGs I felt it was time to start preparing to take simulated test, thinking real test in a month or so.

Soon after I was told my mom, who had breast cancer, only had a few weeks to live. Once I heard that I immediately took all my prep material, put them in a milk crate, put them in the closet, and concentrated on my mom.

It took me a long time to get over my mom's death and focus on my life. I eventually got caught up in the CFA program which took up all my free time. I finished this program last fall, and with the hunger for the MBA still in my mouth and with no family obligations, decided my next target was the GMAT.

I took out the crate of prep materials last November, and started to repeat the regiment I undertook 5 years prior. Started with ARCO GMAT math refresher. Soon after I was unemployed and prospects of a job in finance looked bleak. So I decided to focus the next couple of months on getting a GMAT score somewhere around 680...putting in 2-5 hours a day, working tons of questions.

I finished my foundation studying 2 weeks ago with Kaplan 800. Since I felt that I could handle these questions fairly easily I assumed I was ready for simulated tests... leading up to a mid-April GMAT, ...well conditioned mentally and pysically for the real fight.

This week I took my first CATS, 3 Princeton R CATS, and scored 550, 560, and 590...

So I am frustrated and a little discouraged at the point. I am feeling doubt in my abilities and preparation level. I thought I would be scoring higher given my disciplined long preparation. This is especially frustrating when you read about people who studied 1 month or less and are scoring in the low 600s of the bat. Also, having completed the CFA program, I am not someone unfamiliar with test taking strategies, time management, quick thinking, fast calculations, Art of War mentality, etc.

I am hoping that PR CATS do not reflect my true level. If they do, I am hoping taking more simulated CAT tests can hone my skills.

It is only within the past 2 weeks that I stumbled on this forum. So I am hoping that it can provide some assistance and guidance going forward. Any other input, etc., greatly appreciated.

Hopefully one day I can finish this thread/chapter of my life and leave a satisfying post....hopefully....

I need to slay this beast once and for all.....