Help:28 in verbal in second attempt after scoring 38 in the first

I agree with Rich, you should check out your ESR for that test. It's pretty surprising to see that big of a drop, especially if you can't think of anything that would explain it. A really surprising result is the one situation where I always recommend getting the ESR.

Did the test feel about as hard/easy as your practice tests have felt in the past? If the test felt normal or even easy, but you got a much lower score, that makes me think that you were making careless mistakes on easier problems without realizing it - that would keep the test from showing you harder problems and would keep your score from increasing.

Hi simbasim,

On what dates did you take your 2 GMATs and what 'format' were they in (the older format or the current/shorter format)?

Since you scored a V38 on your prior Official GMAT and you scored at a high level on your two recent CATs, your drop in score might not be due to any content/practice issues. As such such, I'd like to know a bit more about the lead-up to your 2nd Official GMAT and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your 2nd GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the ride 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

Hi ccooley,
Thank you for your reply

I will get the ESR soon. As for the difficulty level, I found quant section a bit more difficult compared to practice tests. In verbal there was one passage and couple of SCs which i found to be more difficult than the ones in practice tests.

Hi Rich,

On what dates did you take your 2 GMATs and what 'format' were they in (the older format or the current/shorter format)?

GMAT 1- 27th May,2018 (Sunday, Morning slot 11.00am) New shorter format
GMAT 2- 28th July,2018 (Saturday, afternoon slot 3.00pm) New Shorter format

In the first attempt, i got a free day from work on 26 may, day before the exam. Whereas in the second attempt i had office on 27 July and gave the exam on 28th.


1) What did you do in the 3 days before your 2nd GMAT?
Had regular routine only. Work and 2-3 hours of studies in which i tried to revise what all i had done and solve some high level questions.

2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
Sleep was ok in the night, but as the exam was in the afternoon i tried to take a nap before leaving for the center but couldnt sleep.

3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
Around one hour

4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
No distractions as such.

5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
Had chocolate and some juice

6) Did you finish any sections early?
No, but was able to complete all questions.

7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?
Yes, In quant i had to rush mainly in the middle section from around Question number 16-23.
In verbal, it was not due to lack of time, but i had to guess couple of questions in one of the RCs which appeared around Question number 29-30. In SC also i had to guess couple of questions.

Hi simbasim,

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

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