GMAT Retake Strategy

Question

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi christi,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 610 +/- a few points). There's a big difference between raising that score to a 650+ and raising it to a 700+, so it would help if you could be a bit more specific about your score goal. For 650+, you could conceivably retest in a month (or less); but for a 700+, you will likely need at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied for this recent attempt?
2) What study materials have you used?

Goals:
3) What is your exact goal score?
4) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

aetius · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi christi,

If you took the GMAT in early November, then you would have approximately 6-7 weeks of study time. While you could potentially improve a great deal during that time, you might be 'cutting your studies a bit close' (as I suspect you would need at least 2 months to hit 700+). Given your Official Score, your practice CAT Scores and your timeline, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgmat Total Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients complete that Study Plan in well under 2 months, so you could potentially complete it in the time that you've defined. We have a variety of free resources on our site (www.empowergmat.com), so you can 'test out' the Course before setting up an Account.

If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

nishantd88 · Answer

christi  Replying to your message here since you have disabled private message.
I got a reply to my Kellogg eligibility form submission within 24 hrs. Since it's way past the stated timeline in your case, it is best to write to them.

ajayb92 · Answer

Hi guys,

Just gave the GMAT yeaterday. Bombed it due to a really bad sleep cycle. Scored 610 (Q46 V28) while I was consistently scoring 690 in GMAT prep mocks. Thinking of retaking it soon. How do you suppose I should go about it?

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ajayb92,

To start, you will likely receive more of a response if you start your own post-thread (instead of piggy-backing on this thread - which is a bit old). Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would also help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

ajayb92 · Answer

Thanks for the prompt reply Rich. Please find my responses below -

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? - 2.5 months now
2) What study materials have you used so far? - OG 18, egmat course and kaplan cats
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? -
1) Gmatprep - 590 (q42 v27)
2) kaplan cat - 650 (q46 v34)
3) kaplan cat - 620 (Q45 V31)
4) kaplan cat - 660 (q47 v34)
5) Kaplan cat - 660 (q45 v37)
6) gmat prep 3 - 690 (q48 v36)
7) gmat prep 4 - 730 (q49 v40) - saw some repeats
8) gmat prep 5 - 640 (q48 v31) - was tired while starting this
9) gmat prep 6 - 690 (q46 v38) - last mock

Goals:
4) What is your goal score? - 700+

5) When are you planning to take the GMAT? - I'd like advice on this
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School? - 2019 1st and 2nd round ~october
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to? - mendoza, emory, simon, kelley and fisher

Posted from my mobile device

avocado310 · Answer

Curious, did you keep your score or cancel them?

ajayb92 · Answer

As soon as I saw the score, I knew I had to cancel!

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi ajayb92,

Have you decided whether you will retake the GMAT?

ajayb92 · Answer

Hi Scott,

Yes I will be taking the GMAT again but I'm unsure about the dates. Although, 2nd round deadlines for US universities are almost done. I think I can apply for European universities like Insead, HECand Esade in time.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ajayb92,

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. If you can answer a few questions, then we should be able to figure this out:

When you took your CATs:
1) On what dates did you take each of your CATs and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Did you take them at home?
4) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you took your Official GMAT?
5) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
6) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (re: on a prior CAT, in an online forum or in a practice set)?

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

ajayb92 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Just answering your questions below -
1) On what dates did you take each of your CATs and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

- The first gmat prep mock i took in the end of august and scored a 590 (q42 v28) 
I took Kaplan CATs on a weekly basis in september, constantly scoring 660 (q 46 to 47 and V 34 to 37)

gmat prep 3 (690-Q48 V36 - november 23rd)

Gmat prep 4 (730-Q49 V40 - December 2nd) - got reset by mistake and saw repeats
Gmat prep 5 (640-Q48 V31 - December 3rd) - tired during this one
Gmat prep 6 (690-Q46 V38 - December 5th)
Actual gmat - 610 (Q46 V28) - december 8th

As you can see, when performance of one section improved, the performance on the other declined.

2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)? - Not every time, the 1st few times yes. Then I fixed my order and followed the same on exam day.

3) Did you take them at home? - Yes, but to get accustomed to different environments, I gave my mocks in different rooms.
4) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you took your Official GMAT? - I took the last 3 mocks at the same time as the exam

5) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? - Nope apart from skipping IR and AWA, I stuck to the exam rules.
 
6) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (re: on a prior CAT, in an online forum or in a practice set)? - Yes, I did see repeats in prep 4, and scored 730 on it. However, I know it is inflated. Otherwise, I didn't get any repeats but for 1 SC in the last mock, which I had to re solve anyway.

I think for me, it was totally the sleep cycle and exam anxiety that ruined my performance on exam day. But now, I think it is a perfect oppirtunity for me to boost my score to a 700+ range. It'd be great if I could get some suggestions to start out with.

Thanks,
Ajay

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Sounds good. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi ajayb92,

From your prior post, there were some 'red flags' in terms of how you took your CATs. Before we discuss those issues though, I have a few additional questions about the lead-up to Test Day and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the travel time to the Test Center from your home?
4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
6) Did you finish any sections early?
7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?

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

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