GMAT keeps defeating me

Question

Hi Experts,
I've attempted the GMAT 5 times and have never been able to break the 700 barrier on the actual test. My treat scores have ranged from 610 to 680. On the other hand, my mock test performance has been reasonably good. Even on the toughest mocks (mgmat) I've managed to score a 710.
I know 680 is not a bad score but the quality of my work ex isn't very great and hence I really want to improve my test score.

I have been preparing for the test for over 2 years now and at this point I feel like just giving up but my heart doesn't let me just stop till I nail this test down. I really want to succeed on the actual test but I don't know what goes wrong on test day. I have been very consistent in my performance on both the mocks and the GMAT official practice material. I've even managed to maintain a 75-80% accuracy on the official advanced question set/LSAT's etc,. I even hired a personal tutor to help me out with Quant and he too thinks I'm capable of getting a very good score on the actual test. I've been told that I make a lot of silly errors on the easier questions and I've even tried to amend this by going slow and reading carefully but still when it comes to test day I just cannot manage to give my best.

I've now decided to take up the GMAT online at home to see if taking the test at home can make a difference and I request you to give me some advice on how I should go about and prepare for the test.I can email you the copies of my ESR for your analysis. I really want to get done with this test and focus on other things in life.. I'd be really grateful if you can give me some advice on the areas/things which I need to focus on.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Hector1S

The challenge of a gap between practice test performance and live test results is something most of the people I work with share. Through experience, I've been able to isolate that it has much more to do with how 'resilient' their in-test processes are. By resilient, I mean consistently applying the 4 key stages of solving a quant question and the core stages of tackling verbal questions. That means consistently even if the question "seems" easy -- which usually means the traps are hidden and you're not seeing them.

For people who are consistently stuck at a 'plateau score' (especially in the mid to high 600s) focusing on improving and solidifying process is always the most reliable way to break through. Repeating the same practice problem / practice test cycles is rarely effective.

So my point is this: before you let frustration lead to giving up -- make sure you give focusing on improving your test-taking process a try -- ideally with the help of an expert.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Hector1S,
 
Regarding your issues with the actual GMAT, I have a number of articles that would be helpful for you. If after reading these articles, you still have questions, feel free to reach out. You’ve got this!!
 
 Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT 
 
 Why Was My GMAT Score Lower Than My Practice Test Scores?

How to Eliminate GMAT Test-Day Anxiety

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hector1S,

First off, a 680 is a strong Score - and depending on your Quant Scaled Score for that attempt, it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, another retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement.

There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

Depending on your overall profile - and the Programs that you are interested in - it might actually be necessary for you to focus on improving the Work Experience 'component' of your application (regardless of what your best GMAT Score actually is).

1) On what dates did you take EACH of your Official GMATs and how did you score on each?
2) How long did you study before each attempt? Did you take any 'time off' from your studies over the last 2 years?
3) What study materials have you used over the course of all of your studies? What 'brands' of CATs/mocks have you used?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hector1S · Answer

Hi Rich, 
I do realize that 680 is a good score, but I can't come to terms with it as most of my mock scores have always been above the 700 mark. I accept the fact that for some of my mocks the scores may be inflated but I also feel that during the actual test I somehow don't apply whatever I've practiced. I tend to guess and hurry at times when I see that I am running short of time, I've even tried to develop a time management strategy but I feel that on my last attempt I focused too much on the timing bit and ended up hurrying through the sections and got a few questions wrong.

I am aiming for the top 20 b-schools with a focus to shift my function within the energy industry. I am already working on the other bits of my application as well and just want to ensure that I don't get let down because of a low gmat score.

1) I've taken the GMAT on the below dates:
 07/16/2018 - 610(Q46,V28)
 04/19/2019 - 670(Q45,V38)
 06/12/2019 - 680(Q45,V38)
 02/01/2020 - 660(Q46,V35)
 06/10/2020 - 640(Q45,V33)

2) Before each attempt I studied for approximately 2-3 months and tried to focus on my weak areas and improve my test taking strategy. I feel that my overall test approach is not right, I think that I'm devoting too much time to the first 10 questions and that's affecting my overall performance on the actual test. I need some assistance on this, I can email the copies of my ESR to you if you can offer any advise on any patterns that you see.

3) I've used tons and tons of study material, I've exhausted most of the Official GMAT content(Official mocks, Official guides, Official practice question bank), MGMAT prep tests, GMAT Club Tests etc,. For my concepts I have used the Manhattan Study Guides and I am fairly thorough with all the concepts.

4) I am planning to apply next year, for the 2022 intake and targeting schools such as Duke Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, ISB and Stanford GSB(my dream).

Hector1S · Answer

Thanks for this Scott!! I will focus on identifying the pattern of mistakes that I have been making and make an attempt to go a little slow and be more methodical when I solve questions.

Hector1S · Answer

I second your thoughts too! I feel that I am not consistent with the process of attempting each question on the test in a methodical manner. I will work on this bit, however do you know what other material I can use for Verbal as I've exhausted most of the official questions. I've been using LSAT's for CR & RC and I am pretty good at both. Off late, I've been spending a lot of time in searching for quality questions and creating my own sets of Practice tests.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Hector1S,

I've sent you a PM with some additional notes and questions.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

My pleasure!

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GMAT keeps defeating me

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