I broke the GMAT test software

Question

GMATClubbers let me tell you a story about the day I broke the GMAT. See, I was on my fifth try with the GMAT. I apparently was not only a slow learner, but also completely oblivious on GMAT matters. The first time I took the test back in 2014, I looked at the official study material and thought "this is easy." Coupled with the attitude that standardized tests are not a measure of my intelligence, I confidently walked into the testing center to take the test and promptly got handed a pink slip by the test makers.

I was dumbfounded, I didn't expect to get a perfect score, but, I also did not expect to get such low score. It was in the post-GMAT funk that I stumbled upon GMATClub. While there were many important things that occurred between that first test and this past fifth test, including travels that took me out of country, the joys of unemployment, underemployment, loss of self-worth, an engagement followed by me breaking it off, along with all the psychological cliffhangers that prompted me to keep taking this test over and over again, I believe it best to get to the part about me breaking the GMAT.

After prepping for the test with the intention to score in the 700-740 range, and honing in on those particular skill sets this fifth time around, I walked into the testing center with a bit of optimism and also a plane ticket to Latin America as a way to celebrate the upcoming test day victory. Suffice it to say I never made it to the prompt screen, not even through the registration process. Apparently the testing center experienced a catastrophic technical difficulty and cancelled all tests for the day. My study preparations were so on point that the GMAT test software decided it was better to go broke then be subjugated to my GMAT ninja skills. (Let me at least get a laugh out of this, because I realize this test is a waste if your mindset is that its the end all, so i choose to keep it in perspective, important but more about the qualities and characteristics of the individual, too new-agey-hippie-liberally, don't care how you judge me.) The test center administrators even were talking about contacting future test takers to inform them that they will not be taking the test (this is important only that my study-buddy and upcoming travel partner was slated to take his test in a matter of two days at the same testing location).

Its insane. I should be angry. I honestly am at a loss for words, but I can't be angry, that doesn't seem to provide any sort of resolution. Besides, I am incredibly humbled by the whole process, now in its third year, and fifth try; humility and anger are like oil and water, they just don't work well together.

I had been working toward this date, looking forward to being freed from my obsessive compulsive attitude that had consumed me for the past three years in relations to this test and scoring in the 700's. I honestly have sacrificed a lot to keep pursuing this score. I often lie at night thinking that this is utterly insane. Buy I knew I could lock it in and I had gotten to the point where I was wiling to accept whatever the score outcome was today. But here I am left with a cliffhanger- a voucher in one hand to reschedule the test and a plane ticket in the other hand, the two of which only implies that I won't really enjoy my month long jaunt through South America. But you know what, at this point I want to reflect on the fact that I have time to further hone in on my skills, get some of those tricker issues under my belt. Heck, maybe even utilize more of the GMATClub features that I haven't fully taken advantage of, maybe I might be less of a lurker and more of a engager... we'll see.

So as I sit down to write this, surrounded by my clothes and luggage crying to be packed, my trusty GMAT study materials have found another way to rake up some more frequent flyer miles (this will be the third, fourth, and fifth countries they will travel to) on a trip to South America. Yay...

bb · Answer

Oh. Sorry to hear that.... I wonder if they were on Windows XP and got the Ransomware virus? That would be ironic.... i hope not. That's annoying. You should definitely stay in shape - a month is long enough time to forget A LOT - that could set you back so you have to stay in shape and keep refreshing, practicing, perfecting, honing, etc. You gotta defend your turf!

pingala · Answer

Ha, it was annoying, but at the same time now that I got some time to reflect some more, i think its for the better. Honestly, if i can just commit to that month of staying constructively engaged and pushing through, i can really get into the sweet zone with my performance. But you are absolutely correct, a month is easy time to get out of shape and regress on gmat skills.

I experienced that first hand between my second and third tests and was angry then at allowing my schedule to push back the test date. Definitely not wanting a repeat of that situation. Motivation will be hard while traveling but I think with this trip being for fun, i won't feel as guilty about traveling and having to do GMAT. In the past work/family wedding stuff made the studying incredibly hard, a period of travel for fun, I can mold that, even begrudgingly, to fit a practice schedule into. plus now i feel its more targeted and with the gmatclub daily practice problems i can keep those skills intact without carrying material around.

By the way thanks for the words of encouragement!

GMATNinja · Answer

Wow, sorry to hear about that mess! But I have to admit that I really enjoyed your writing style. Really fun to see a sense of humor amid the mayhem.

You might want to shoot me for suggesting it, but would it be totally crazy to schedule a test while you're in South America, maybe at the very beginning of your trip? And if I'm not mistaken, Bunuel is in Mexico, so if you're flying over that beautiful country, maybe some of his magic will rub off on you.

Keep us posted -- I feel like you're due for some great GMAT karma!

pingala · Answer

Thanks  GMATNinja . I tried hard to keep a schedule and travel, but it didn't happen. I had to postpone my test twice because it just wasn't snapping. I did look into taking the test in Costa Rica and Panama, but decided against it because i didn't know how to get around the city and wasn't putting in the effort I felt I needed to really succeed on test day.

I got my groove back round the end of June, am shooting to nip this in the bud in September, but that also means I won't be making the first round for a few of my schools and i also am not working on applications as diligently as i had wanted to do and i had to cancel a lot of my summer plans. The worst part was to deal with the psychological crap and compartmentalize it all and get to a place where my head was in test mode while juggling all the things I had put off to do after the test and the trip and explain how i need to postpone all of it again... painful, deflating, and demoralizing all at the same time. not good place to be for GMAT prep.

I broke the GMAT test software

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