Help Please!!

Question

Hi,

I just took the 7th Practice exam on given by Veritas Prep and got a 450. I have been studying for the past 6 months continuously for 6-7 hours a day. I have completed all the Veritas Prep homework and the worked through most of the Official Guide but I just can't seem to score high enough. The highest I have ever scored is a 520. I am not aiming for a 700 or anything I am looking to merely break 600 so I can get into a mediocre school but even that seems difficult.

I don't know what more I can do between now and my test date on Aug 22nd.

Thank you for you suggestions in advance!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi boombox725,

Since August 22nd is less than 2 weeks away, you probably do not have enough time to 'fix' all of your problems and raise your score enough to hit 600+. The good news is that the GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. You just need to make some adjustments to how you 'see' (and respond to) the GMAT. The bad news is that it's going to take more time than you planned for.

I have some questions about your CATs:

1) On this last CAT, and on the one in which you scored 520, what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for those Tests?
2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Do you have a pacing problem on any of the sections (do you have to rush on questions at the end just to finish on time?)?

When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

boombox725 · Answer

I scored a 450 on the last practice test I took, sorry for the confusion there. I got 32Q/30V 
On the 520 I scored 34Q/28V.

2) Yes, each time I take the entire test with no additional time to the exam. 
3) No, I don't have any trouble finishing it test. I usually have time left over because I have had to blindly guess on a couple.

I am looking to apply this Fall so I know I don't have too much time in between exams now.

I have no problem setting aside time to study for this to best try to reach for 600. I really don't want to take the exam again. I can do whatever you need me to do.

Thank you so much for your quick response!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi boombox725,

I think that there is something incorrect with the data that you listed. Did you list the proper Overall scores and the Scaled Scores for the Quant and Verbal sections? I ask because these numbers, IF they are Scaled Scores...

450/Q32/V30
520/Q34/V28

...do NOT properly account for a 70 point difference in Overall scores. Assuming that you're scoring around Q30/V30, you have an opportunity to pick up big points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections, but you're going to need more time to study than you've allotted. How far back can you push back your Official Test Date?

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

boombox725 · Answer

Hi Rich,

First of all thank you so much for helping me out. I greatly appreciate it.

Here is what it says from the Veritas website:

Total Score: 450/ Percentile 21 
Quant Score: 32/ Percentile 30
Verbal Score: 20/ Percentile 20 
It doesn't mention anything about a scaled score.

I suppose I could push back the date but I was hoping not too. Something that I implemented in today's studying (probably should have done this before) is use a interval timer as I did questions. I think before with no timer I was spending maybe 2:30 on a Quant question. Now I am within the allotted time and I think that pressure is what might be hurting my score. So far, I think it has helped because it has but me in the mindset. I can usually solve most of the problems under no time limit but with it is where I can blank out and forget how to do a problem.

If you have any suggestions you could pass along. Please feel free!

Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi boombox725,

You've just caught the error. In your prior post, you wrote that you had scored a V30 - in this last post, you've stated V20. That is a BIG difference; it helps to better define how you've been studying. With this drop in Verbal Scale (from V28 to V20), you are not yet comfortable enough with the Verbal section (and the tactics that you can use to score at a high level) to hit your score goal by your current Test Date.

Pacing problems do not exist on their own - they are the results of OTHER problems. These are the problems that we have to fix and it will take time to do so. I understand that you probably don't *want* to push back your Test Date, but you're not likely to hit your score goal on August 22nd. You can take the GMAT as currently scheduled, but you're almost certainly going to have to take it again (and that will cost another $250).

If you had another 1.5 - 2 months of study time, then I could make some suggestions. With just 11 days though, there's just no 'quick fix' to your situation.

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

boombox725 · Answer

If you say then I will push back my test date. I just thought after all this time I would be ready by now but it appears that's not the case. From my first practice test back in March scored a 480 to now a 450 score has been very depressing. It feels like I have been spinning my wheels wasting my time without seeing any real progress.

I will follow whatever suggestions you have. I feel like this test has gotten the best of me and I just want to see results from the time I have spent.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi boombox725,

You can still take the GMAT as scheduled (and use it as a 'learning experience') or you can save some money, pay the $50 rescheduling fee and push your Test back. Either way, you'll need the extra study time to hit your score goal.

That all having been said, 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 the time commitment wouldn't be that bad. 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

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