GMAT Scored 410, THEN 500! NEED AT LEAST 550-600! HELP

Question

Hey all gmatclub,

So moral of the story, I took the official gmat twice: First time I got a 410 (Q23,V23) and a 500 (Q32,V26) on the second test.

If I even want to have a shot at getting into UNC- Kenan–Flagler for MBA, I need AT LEAST a 600. I would be happy with a 550 even, but I'm lingering in the low 500s and I have studied 4 months already. I am devastated and losing all hope.

I've used to study:
1) Kaplan online FULL course with instructor led (I took 8 CAT exams and all were around 550 but when I took the official test, I got a 410....so I got a full refund back)
2) Manhatten GMAT 6 CAT tests (between each weeks I used OG16)- My average GMAT was around 550 once again with the practice CATs.

I just cannot seem to get past 550 on practice exams, and I went in the official exam hoping I'd keep a 550 and be satisfied but I ended up with a 500.

I still have a year to study for GMAT and take it for the THIRD time but I am so mentally drained and feel like my time and energy is wasted all this time. I am going to take it for the FINAL THIRD time but this is it. I am busy with work and I don't even get to enjoy my weekends anymore because I've been studying every weekend.

I've been out of school for only 2 years so I shouldn't be struggling this bad. Please help!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PeterKim,

To start, I'm hoping that you can clarify a couple of points:

1) You seem convinced that you 'need' a 600+ to get into your dream School. How do you know that you 'need' that score?
2) You then state that you'd be satisfied with a 550+. So if you're convinced that you need a 600+, then why would you be happy with a 550? Are you thinking about applying to any other Schools?

Beyond those questions....
3) On what dates did you take the Official GMAT?
4) When exactly are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hi PeterKim,

The fact that you have studied for so long, and have seen fluctuations in your scores might indicate a problem with your study habits.

As you study, we recommend that you focus on quality over quantity.

Doing hundreds of hundreds of more questions without really understanding the concepts or the booby traps that you’re falling into will not necessarily get you where you want to be.

Try going back to previous questions and seeing if you can answer them with ease. The more you can answer correctly, the more likely it is that you understand the material.

As you study, we recommend that you focus on one particular subsection for multiple consecutive days before moving onto the next. You can see this in our study plan where we recommend 5 days on nothing but SC -- before moving onto CR and then RC.

Here is a customized 2-3 month study plan that can help boost your score: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... study-plan

Here is a sample SC video to help you start your journey: https://www.gmatpill.com/sentencecorrect ... ythons.mp4

PeterKim · Answer

Sure, sounds like I should've been more detailed in my aspirations.
1) The reason I'm convinced that I 'need' a 600+ to get into my dream School is because after doing extensive research, I found that with my current GMAT score (500), UNC Kenan-Flagler full time MBA has a range of 640-740 (mid 80%) with a median GMAT of 710, and I feel like even if my LOR and essays are stellar, it still won't be good enough to be accepted. I feel like a 550 or even a 600 is definitely a better shot for me to even attempt to get into that school. 
2) I do have two fall back schools, but even the other fall back school has a average GMAT score of 610 so I feel like all these schools won't even look at my application with such a low score of 500.

3) I took the official GMAT test 1) on August 1, 2016 and test 2) on Nov 21, 2016
4) I'm planning to apply to B-school around August of 2017 (upcoming yr) for early round deadline.

PeterKim · Answer

Great! I'm in a reset mode right now after having taken the exam last week, so I plan to create a new study plan to fix my weaknesses and get after it again in a couple of months- seeing what other recommendations there are for me at this point- if I should take the exam again or not.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PeterKim,

Since you've been studying recently, and most of the concepts should still be fresh in your mind, it would make sense to continue to study now. In that way, you'll have a better chance of 'locking in' a higher score, as opposed to trying to restart your studies later. With another 1.5 - 2 months of consistent, guided study, I think that you could have a good chance at hitting your score goal. I suggest that you take a week 'off' from studying, then come back with a focus on learning and practicing some new Tactics.

1) How many hours do you think you could consistently study each week going forward?

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

PeterKim · Answer

Honestly with the work schedule and working out, I usually have 1-1.5 hrs to workout before I head to bed.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PeterKim,

You didn't actually answer my last question. However, based on the answer that you DID provide, I have some follow-up questions about your prior studies:

1) What type of study routine were you following? You said that you studied for 4 months, but what schedule were you following? How many hours did you study each week (and what days/times did you study)?
2) Were you only studying at night (before bed)?

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

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GMAT Scored 410, THEN 500! NEED AT LEAST 550-600! HELP

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