GMAT test tomorrow and no improvement

Question

Hello together,

tomorrow I will take the GMAT.
I have studied for 5 Weeks. 3 Weeks 2-3h/day and the last 14 days 8-10h/day.
I took a pratice test at the beginning without any ideas how it works. I've scored 390 but well, I am sure I'm getting better.
I took a 2nd test 7 days ago(scored 450) and the last one a view minutes ago: I scored 400... I'm kinda depressed now.
I worked a lot for but all for nothing... tomorrow becomes a desaster...

Oh, and I need at least 550. So thats's it...no chance.

Sorry for spam....

Oh, and I need at least 550. So thats's it...no chance. Sorry for spam....

pushpitkc · Answer

Hi  Dokami

Just keep your focus on getting as many questions as you can correctly. 
Pay more attention during the initial phase of the exam. The worst thing 
that you can do at this moment is to get anxious.

Whatever you do, keep a cool head and hope you crack the test.
All the best for your exam tomorrow!

Dokami · Answer

Thank you for your response. Yes, I will try it, of course. But like you sayed, the start is most important.
It depends on the first question. And the time is the biggest problem for me.

ccooley · Answer

Sleep well, eat well, relax, and don't do anything that you normally wouldn't do. Don't try to study any more today or before your exam. You'll just end up exhausting yourself. On test day, your ability level is where it is. Hopefully it's high enough - but the fastest way to get a weak score is to spend tons of time working on unrealistically hard questions. Be realistic about what you'll be able to solve, and your score should reflect how far you've come.

Dokami · Answer

Okay, it was like I have expected. I've scored just ugly 460.

There was one question which was exactly the same one like one out of the GMAT Review...but nevertheless...it's over.

I don't understand what I made wrong. After 2 weeks fulltime practice I was able to improve just 10 little points... I'm thinking about if I should do it again. But honestly I'm not sure if it makes sense. Fulltime study isn't possible anymore. So the very last option would be study beside the work. I have studied for the exam with Princetons "Cracking the GMAT"(just to read and to get confirm with the questions) and with the "Official Guide for GMAT Review 2017" which I have used to practice the questions. Do you recommend any other strategy/ other books?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dokami,

Many Test Takers hit their 'peak' scores after 3 months of consistent, guided study. While we really have no idea what YOUR peak score would be, you studied for just 5 weeks, but you still managed to improve by 70 points over your initial practice CAT Score - and that is a solid improvement given the limited length of time that you studied.

1) What is the application deadline for the School(s) that you're interested in?
2) How do you know that you "only need" a 550?

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

Dokami · Answer

Hi Rich,

1) Deadline is 1st of May 2018.
2) A minimum score of 550 and AWA not less then 4.0. Sure, if I will be able to reach a higher score it would increase my chance for admission.

But what do you think about my preparation mentioned above? Is the official Guide sufficient or should I use other books?

Kind regards 
Dominik

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dominik,

Your question assumes that you should be using books as the primary source of your GMAT training - and that might be a faulty assumption.

The GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. The immediate question is whether a book (or books) will offer you the proper training to hit your Score Goal. To raise your scores, you will likely have to do more than just work through a lot of practice questions. Most GMAT questions can be answered in more than one way, but if you're not properly learning the content, patterns and Tactics for the GMAT, then there will likely be a limit to how much you could improve.

Thankfully, you have lots of time before the May 1st application deadline you mentioned, so you can proceed with your studies however you like. If you want to try focusing on the Official Guide for now, then you can - and you can track your improvement by taking FULL-LENGTH CAT Tests under realistic conditions. If you end up getting 'stuck' after a month or two of working in this way, then you can change your Study Plan and still have plenty of time to improve.

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

Dokami · Answer

Hi Rich,

So do you mean it would be better if I practice with other resources than books,e.g.online courses?

I think with the official guide it is not possible for me to improve because there is not much inside about the strategies you mentioned. But maybe I should try the Manhattan books,because those books offer more indeep knowledge?

Kind regards 
Dominik

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dominik,

When it comes to studying for the GMAT, there are a variety of different study materials that you can use. If you want to be efficient with your studies, then you would likely find it beneficial to invest in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led). Again though, your Score Goal is relatively modest and you have plenty of time to before your deadline, so you can proceed however you like. Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

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

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

Dokami · Answer

Thank you Rich, for the hints. I will take a look at the link you posted above.

Can someone tell me if should work with the Manhattan books in the same sequence they are numbered? Because number properties is more important to study at the beginning, isn't it? But this part is number 5.

Posted from my mobile device

Lepe96 · Answer

That is key my friend
I slept 9h consisently the hole week bf test day

Dokami · Answer

Enough Sleep is essential, indeed.
But does anybody know how to prepare with the Manhattan books like I asked above? Should I start again from the beginning with book one? Or should I put my focus directly on the questions?

And if it is better to work through the whole books, does the sequence important?

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GMAT test tomorrow and no improvement

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