GMAT Advice Needed...

Question

Hello,

I need some advice on how to better approach the official GMAT. Below is my practice test history. I have used Magoosh to help me prepare for the exam.

GMAT Official Practice Test 1 - 640 (V33 Q45)
GMAT Official Practice Test 2 - 580 (V29 Q40)
GMAT Official Practice Test 3 - 650 (V40 Q39)
GMAT Official Practice Test 4 - 650 (V38 Q42)
GMAT Official Practice Test 5 - 650 (V35 Q44)
GMAT Official Practice Test 6 - 690 (V37 Q47)
GMAT Official Practice Test 2 (Retake) 700 (V38 Q47) ---- it had been an extended period of time between the the first take and the retake ... But might not be a good data point.

After my Test 6 official practice exam I was feeling semi-confident approaching the official exam. Here are my 2 results from the official exams, which I took after the last practice exam.

Official Exam 1 - 580 (V27 Q44) 
Official Exam 2 - 600

I just finished the 2nd official exam and am very confused. The verbal section of the test feels like I am taking a completely different test from the one I studied for...

Again, I am not here to vent, but instead here to get advice or strategies to improve... I am at a loss as to what to do next. My goal score is a 700+.

Is it true that the official test is much harder than the official practice test? I am not sure how to approach it so that I can get a score that is more in line with my practice test scores.

What advice would you give me to improve my official test day verbal score?

bb · Answer

Wow. Your verbal score does seem quite different and surprisingly consistent between the 2 tests as well as among the 6 practice tests.

This is the time when all those saying that you should only take official tests should jump in and explain this paradox… as I don’t seem to have a lot of ideas beside the “usual” have you seen the gmat prep questions before or somehow inflated your practice scores.

I am sorry, this is quite frustrating. What felt different about the verbal on the real test? Did you follow the same section order?

Posted from my mobile device

Troyhicks · Answer

The first official test I took I did the verbal section 1st and the Quant section 2nd. After seeing my score I decided to switch it up and try the verbal section 2nd... This did not help my situation as I still did quite poorly on the verbal section on my second official attempt.

I did feel quite anxious while testing on the verbal section. I felt like I had to re-read many questions and I felt very lost... I just finished the 2nd attempt this afternoon and I was waaaay behind on time mid-way through the test... This was NOT how I felt during my practice tests. Most of the time I felt very confident on the verbal, but for the official test I felt confused and never got in a good rhythm. For reference I took the test at the same time of day and ALL of my practice tests were as real as they could be, with 8 minute breaks and following all of the rules that would be on the actual official test day. I even pretended to take out my drivers license! hahah I also have never seen (to my knowledge) any of the practice test questions before taking the exam.

I think it could be due to test anxiety, but I really hate that excuse. Are there any routes you would suggest to increase my confidence to improve my verbal score on test day? Should I sign up for another resource? Or is there a great verbal resource that help me do much better on test day?

bb · Answer

Thanks so much for sharing!

How did you manage your time? Did you try to hit certain milestones such as cover 10 questions with 45 mins left and speed up if you did not or did you let it all run to the end and then guess a bunch of questions?

Posted from my mobile device

Troyhicks · Answer

That is a really good point...

My goal was to have:
- around 9 questions finished with 48 minutes left
- around 18 questions with 32 minutes left
- around 27 questions with 16 minutes left

Once I got to 16 minutes left I had only finished around 22 - 23 questions... Then towards the end I had to rush on the last 13 - 14 ?'s

This could be the main problem. It could be that my timing was just very bad.

bb · Answer

Ah. This probably explains it the best.

I am not sure why this timing issue did not poke its head during the practice tests but GMAT is a test of pacing and timing. You cannot fall behind. If you are falling behind you can’t assume you will catch up. Instead guess a question or two and catch up to your goals. You will get easier questions.

What probably happened (guessing) is you were doing really well but burning through a lot of time. Then by the end as you were guessing you drove your score down.

Posted from my mobile device

Troyhicks · Answer

Thank you for that advice. I also want to say thank you for building this great forum. I have had found great advice and help participating in GMATclub events and in looking through past questions posts.

I know you are busy so thank you for jumping on to chat through this.

I will regroup this weekend and think of better ways to approach the exam for my 3rd attempt.

RobbieB · Answer

I would suggest using the Official Guide for practice problems and following the advice at MBA Applicant . com.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

The ESR may be helpful to get. If you share it here (after wiping any personal info), people may also provide some specific suggestions. If time management was a problem, using question/time markers may be useful.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

BrentTargetTestPrep · Answer

Your situation is not uncommon. Many students see a significant score drop when they take the GMAT. 
What's important now is that you figure out how and why this drop occurred before you take any more tests.

To that end, I suggest reading this article:  Why Was My GMAT Score Lower Than My Practice Test Scores?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Troyhicks,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) On what dates did you take your 2 Official GMATs? What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for your 2nd attempt?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far? Have you taken any other “brands” of CATs/mocks besides the Official ones?
4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took either of your Official GMATs at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Troyhicks,

I would no say that those practice exams are easier than the actual GMAT. That said, do you think anxiety was an issue for you on test day?

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