GMAT Practice Exam Score Regression: Need Advice

I think I may have a guess…. If You started studying six months ago…. That may be part of the reason. I’m not sure if your memory is different but many people only retain things for so long. I think with your observing is you forgetting things that you’ve learned in March and April.

I’m not saying you’re going to forget how to do add, but you probably will forget some of the traps and some of the methods you’ve learned, basically things you don’t use a whole lot is what we get forgotten… the ideal prep timeframe is about 3 to 4 months in my opinion based on how my mind works at least. I can keep things together for that long and I can focus and I can exert effort but once you change your focus and especially something as exciting and something as demanding as wedding planning, I can definitely see your mind very naturally pushing out quadratic system with cake flavors, which frankly are much more exciting things. Congratulations on this very exciting event and the big change in your life!

My suggestion for you would be to find a stretch of time about six weeks to eight weeks when you can refocus. Finish the course in one stretch and do some additional review of what you’ve done early on and that should get you to what you’re looking for.

PS. at the same time, seeing your highest quantitative score was not quite all the way up there, I think you could benefit from going through the quant section again, selectively, focusing on some of the things you hate and some of the things you are not good at. We all have those areas… the first step is to accept you have them and accept that you need help and focus on fixing them. Saying things such as I’m not good at math is not really helpful. Nobody is born good at math everyone can learn so don’t disqualify yourself right away, give yourself a chance and change your mindset. You even proved a lot already in quant. What’s stopping you now? 👍

This would be my recommendation.




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I appreciate this 🤗
moto x3m

Hello,

I find your post quite interesting, and I'd like to contribute my thoughts. Before diving into GMAT specifically, let's break down the fundamentals of exam preparation in general. There are three key components to successful exam prep:

1. Understanding the Fundamentals
2. Practice
3. Mocks
These three steps apply to nearly any exam worldwide, but interestingly, we often observe significant variations in scores among individuals who follow these steps. Why is that?

Understanding the Fundamentals: This is the foundation of your preparation. When you're tackling quant concepts or verbal questions like assumption queries in Critical Reasoning, are you genuinely comprehending the basics, or are you merely striving to grasp enough to solve specific questions? Many people tend to do the latter. A litmus test for whether you truly understand the fundamentals is your ability to tackle new question types that assess the same core concepts. If you struggle with these new questions, there might be a gap in your understanding. It's crucial to solidify your grasp of the basics. For those who cannot enroll in a test prep program or opt for private tutoring, there are excellent GMAT prep books available, such as Powerscore Bible or Manhattan Guides, which are packed with fundamental knowledge. If reading isn't your preferred method, consider seeking help from a private tutor to master the basics.

Practice: This is where significant improvement happens. However, it's important to remember two key principles. First, practicing questions of the same difficulty level won't lead to substantial progress. You need to treat it like training a muscle – steadily increase the difficulty level as you become more comfortable. Second, always maintain an error tracker. You can utilize the Error Log on GMAT Club or customize it with additional columns, including the concept tested, reasons for getting a question wrong, and whether you've reviewed those concepts.

Mocks: This is the final stage of your preparation and arguably the most crucial. But how should you approach taking mock exams? Simulate the actual GMAT experience by sitting for the entire duration with unwavering focus. However, taking a mock is just half the job. Afterward, meticulously analyze every mistake, document every concept you missed, and revise these concepts before taking another mock.

Now, let's delve into some softer aspects of GMAT preparation:

Consistency and Planning: GMAT demands consistency. I've worked with many students who were consistent for a month but then abandoned their prep, forcing them to start over, sometimes leading to years of delay. Consistency is challenging to maintain, so it must stem from intrinsic motivation.

Productivity: Effective study sessions are key. Minimize distractions while studying. Remember, the number of hours you put in does not necessarily equate to productive hours.

Find a Study Buddy: Having a shared goal with others can help keep you on track and motivated.

Relax: Remember that GMAT is conquerable. Maintain a positive mindset during your prep and try to enjoy the process rather than seeing it as a burden.

To wrap it up, I want to emphasize that success in this journey is within your reach. The GMAT is a conquerable exam, and with the right strategies, achieving your target scores is well within your grasp. I trust that these insights will be valuable as you prepare. You've got this!

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

Hi bshahollari,

I'm sorry to hear how your prep has been going. Regarding how to move forward with your studying, here is an article you may find helpful:

The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

I recommend finding a period of about six to eight weeks where you can dedicate your focus to completing the course in one go. Additionally, take some time for extra review of the earlier material, and this should help you achieve your goal.

Many business schools employ the GMAT, a standardized test, as part of their admissions procedure.

Wow. I’ve been waiting for years to see Jennifer Lopez join gmatclub. My dreams have finally come true!

It is a pity she’s supposed to spam however 😞

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When preparing for the GMAT, it's normal to reach plateaus, especially after some time spent on it. The GMAT is a special kind of exam that evaluates not just your knowledge but also your capacity for critical thought and reasoning under time constraints. Therefore, improving your problem-solving abilities is just as important as memorization of content.

Given your scores, it seems like there might be a few areas worth focusing on:

1. Verbal Skills: Since verbal isn't your native language, it can be a little harder for you. Concentrate on enhancing your knowledge of English grammar and colloquial idioms. To increase your reading comprehension and speed, practice reading comprehension passages on a regular basis. Additionally, practice answering sentence correction problems to improve your understanding of English grammar.
2. Time Management: During practice exams, do you find that you are running out of time? Your score might be greatly impacted by time management. To enhance your pace and make sure you can finish each part in the allocated time, practice timed sessions.
3. Reviewing Mistakes: It's excellent that you are reviewing the questions you answered incorrectly and comprehending the answers. Make sure you comprehend the underlying principles as well as the answer. Are there any common questions that you find yourself answering incorrectly? Determine those areas and concentrate on making improvements.
4. Studying Effectively: Utilizing your study time to its fullest is essential given your hectic schedule. Make sure you're studying well by concentrating on your areas of weakness and engaging in frequent practice. To help you learn more, make use of tools like practice questions, flashcards, and online discussion boards.
5. Managing Expectations: It makes sense to become discouraged if the development you were hoping for is not materializing. But progress is a gradual process, and failures are a normal aspect of learning. Have patience with yourself and believe that you will become better with time.

Lastly, regarding your application deadline, it's important to prioritize quality over speed. If you feel that rushing to meet the early round deadline might compromise the quality of your application or your GMAT score, it might be worth considering applying in a later round. Focus on preparing as thoroughly as possible, and the results will follow.

Hang in there and keep pushing forward. You've already come a long way, and with perseverance and strategic studying, you'll reach your target score. If you have any specific questions or need further advice, feel free to reach out. You've got this!­

It's excellent that you seem to be devoting a lot of time and energy to your GMAT preparation. Studying plateaus are frequent, particularly when faced with an exam as difficult as the GMAT. It's critical to keep in mind that there will inevitably be ups and downs along the path and that growth isn't always linear.
Given your persistent effort and the fact that you are not native English speakers, certain challenges in the verbal component are to be expected. To overcome this plateau and raise your scores, you can attempt the following strategies:

1. Identify Weak Areas: Examine your practice exams to see which particular topics you find most difficult. Is it sentence correction, critical thinking, or reading comprehension? Concentrate on strengthening these areas that need improvement.
2. Diversify Study Materials: Although Target Test Prep is an excellent tool for quantitative analysis, you should think about enhancing your verbal preparation with additional readings or materials designed for non-native English speakers. Additional practice and methods can be found in books like the Manhattan Prep GMAT Verbal Strategy Guides or online resources like Magoosh.
3. Practice Active Learning: Engage with the content actively rather than just reading the questions and answers. Make an effort to comprehend the underlying ideas and logic of each question. To ensure you grasp things, take notes, make flashcards, or explain them to someone else.
4. Simulate Test Conditions: To replicate the actual test situation as much as possible, practice in a timed setting. You'll develop your endurance and time management abilities by doing this.
5. Seek Feedback: Seek advice from a study group, tutor, or online discussion boards such as GMAT Club. Occasionally, external viewpoints might offer significant perspectives and recommendations for enhancement.
6. Set Realistic Goals: Although the deadline of December 4th is ambitious, it's crucial to create reasonable objectives that consider your present situation and rate of advancement. If you need additional time to prepare, think about extending your deadline.

Given your commitment to learning effectively and your willingness to do so, I suggest looking into resources such as Manya - The Princeton Review. Their in-depth GMAT preparation materials and knowledgeable teachers may offer invaluable assistance in breaking through your present score plateau and achieving your desired score. Their individualized teaching methods and flexible learning strategies could improve your entire educational experience, particularly when it comes to developing your linguistic abilities as a non-native English speaker.­