how to improve my gmat score

Question

I HAVE GIVEN GMAT AND COULD NOT CROSS 570 ANYTIME EVEN THOUGH MY SCORES ON MGMAT PREP WERE BETWEEN 650 TO 700. I HAVE SCORED 770 IN THE LAST TEST I HAVE GIVEN BEFORE THE ACTUAL TEST BUT ENDED UP WITH 540 ON THE ACTUAL TEST . i WAS SURPRISED AND SHATTERED LOOKING AT THE SCORE(Q:46 V:20) .buT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP. IS IT ADVISABLE TO GIVE AN OTHER ATTEMPT AND IF YES CAN YOU GUYS HELP ME IN GETTING A GOOD SCORE.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

damyanti · Answer

I can understand your disappointment, but your score is very skewed and shows that clearly verbal should be your focus area.

Also, you did not mention how many times you have appeared on the actual exam. Since most schools only look at the best score, I would still suggest that you focus on verbal and give it one more try few months down the line.

Depending on where you are, see if you can find a good instructor/coaching at your place, because from your post it was not apparent that you have tried it. Good coaching "can" make a significant difference.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dml,

Since your practice CAT scores are consistently higher than your Official Scores, something is clearly "off" in how you're practicing or in how you're facing Test Day (or both).

I have a few questions about how you took your CATs:
1) What "brand" of CATs did you use?
2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) What time of day did you take your CATs and what time of day was your Official GMAT?
4) Do you take your CATs at home or do you go to a different location?
5) Do you do anything during your CATs that is not 'test-like' (skipping sections, pausing the CAT, listening to music, etc.)?

6) How long is the ride to the Testing Center from your home?
7) On the Official GMAT, do you have to rush to finish any of the sections (and guess on a bunch of questions just to finish)? Do you finish any of the sections early?

Thankfully, the GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

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

dml · Answer

1. I HAVE TAKEN MGMAT CATS
2.I DID NOT TAKE ENTIRE CAT EACH TIME
3.I DINT HAVE A FIXED TIME AND MY EXAM WAS BETWEEN 12 TO 4 AND USUALLY MY LUNCH BREAK IN THE OFFICE IS FROM 1 TO 2
4.I TOOK MY CATS IN THE OFFICE
5.YES I DID
6.10 MINS FROM MY HOME.
7.I HAD TO GUESS LAST 10 QUESTIONS ON VERBAL.

SavageBrother · Answer

Rich, what is the reason your curious about how long he has to travel to the Test Center? I'm curious because my ride takes almost 2 hours.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dml,

This extra information you've provided is helpful - it points out some of the areas of your approach that didn't properly prepare you for the Official GMAT. These are some of the big areas that need to be fixed.

The only real way to measure your progress during your studies is to take FULL-LENGTH CATs under 'test-like' conditions. That means that you have to take the ENTIRE CAT, away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, without doing anything unrealistic (such as pausing the Test, eating/drinking while taking it, etc.). The more 'differences' there are between how you take your CATs and how you take the Official GMAT, the more likely that your CAT scores are inaccurate (and those CAT scores are usually higher than they should be).

Since you were not properly trained to handle the FULL GMAT, it's not surprising that you would run in to pacing and/or fatigue problems in the Verbal section on Test Day. You trained yourself to take a 2.5 hour Test, but the Official GMAT is closer to 4 hours in length. Before you retake the GMAT, you're going to have to continue studying and train for the FULL GMAT. You might also need to invest in some new GMAT resources.

When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi SavageBrother,

Test Day is a specific "event" for each Test Taker - the more specific YOU can make your practice match Test Day, the more likely you are to score at a high level. By accounting for as many of the variables as you can, and incorporating them into your studies, you'll be more likely to be properly trained for the big day.

Many Test Takers don't think about the details (re: when is the best day/time to take the GMAT, what factors can tire you out or keep you from performing at YOUR best, etc.) and are left wondering WHY their scores drop. A 2-hour ride to the Testing Center IS significant. Long rides can tire people out; if you're sitting in uncomfortable seating, then you might be physically "off" (and that stress can impact your performance). When you take a CAT, do you take a 2-hour ride beforehand?......because if you DON'T, then your CATs are not realistic and you could very easily end up with a higher practice score than Official GMAT score.

ALL of the details matter. Since the GMAT is a predictable Exam (and you can train for THAT), you also have to consider the other predictable elements of Test Day so that you can properly train to perform at your best.

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

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