I'm scared of the GMAT...

Question

Howdy folks, first time poster and just discovered this site.

Took the GMAT almost 2 years ago with 2 weeks of studying 6 hours a day. Only used the OG and the practice tests from GMAC. Needless to say, I didn't do so well. 530 total with a 37 Quant and 26 Verbal.

I took the GRE and scored a 1270 with a 750 Quant and 520 Verbal.

I'm trying to score a 600, which I know many of you may laugh at, but I'm not trying to get into a top tier program. I really have problems with Data Sufficiency, Probability, and working with Squares and Exponents.

I've been advised that my greatest score increase will come from improving my verbal score.

I know that there is a ton of information on this forum; I just wanted to give yall my background and could use some words of encouragement. Thanks, guys.

AmrithS · Answer

My thoughts: 
Studying for 2-3 hours every day for a month would benefit you much more than studying for 4-6 hours for two weeks.
Take your time to prepare for the test. Work backwards from the cut off date for sending in the application for the school of your choice.

aznboi986 · Answer

Thanks for the advice. When I signed up to take it, I didn't think it would be so difficult. Now I'm taking it a little more serious.

I've completed most of the application process and just need to get a 600+. I'm trying to get into Virginia Tech's part time program in the DC metro area. Not quite as ambitious as Georgetown or Maryland, but I think it's a good fit for what I want to do, and ultimately, I'd like to stay in my current line of work/employer which is why I don't need a top tier program to move around.

AmrithS · Answer

I made the same mistake of underestimating the test the first time I took it. I ended up with a 650. It's a good score but I have a work ex of only 2.5 years and I plan to apply to top notch B-schools

650 is not good enough... I wanted to apply for round 3 intake Fall 2011. So I studied for two months and got a score of 710. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it in time. I have to apply for Fall 2012 now... I plan to re-take the GMAT and I am confident that I can cross the 760 barrier. That is my new GMAT goal

shovitdhar · Answer

Given the fact that you had 1270 on the GRE, you have reasons to believe that you can attain a 600 on the GMAT. Though the GRE is easier than the GMAT , but at least the GRE scores at least partially indicate your ability to perform on the GMAT. 
I myself had a bad score on the first attempt on the GMAT.I was really bad at Verbal. However, by following the right strategy,right books and by keeping my progress always under the scanner, I could improve it by a 100 points. If I could do it(and trust me, I am not one of the super intelligent guys) ,I'm sure that you can also get your target score.

thetiming · Answer

"first time poster and just discovered this site" - this will be the crucial difference between your previous attempt and your next - you have found a place where people share their knowledge gleaned from hundreds of thousands of hours of preparation, failed & successful attempts, frustrations and wins... Take a look around and you will find invaluable gems such as: GMAT Study Plan for GMAT Novices - Start your GMAT Journey Best GMAT Books Best GMAT Stories! - Invaluable debriefs... Retaking The GMAT Strategies Last time, you have been attacked by an enemy in the dark. Now you can attack it, standing on the shoulders of thousands of fallen and victorious generals :wink:

jko · Answer

nothing wrong with a healthy dose of fear...

AmrithS · Answer

Absolutely! The cumulative experience of so many test takers are at your disposal! Use it to your advantage

msneemo · Answer

The exam itself is not that hard. But fear can destroy everything. Fear and stress took away most of my study time and so I know I could have done better. I'm still getting into Masters program in the school of my choice but I know that I will need a higher GMAT score in the future to fulfill my career goals. Just don't let the fear take over you. Its just an exam and all you need to do is perform your best.

desiaggie1980 · Answer

Every body here respects the fact that you want to achieve a 600, to each his own, but it doesn't hurt to aim higher and with 530, you are quite close! Just follow this clubs best posts listed above, use these resources, and develop endurance by giving enuf practice CATS.

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desiaggie1980 · Answer

Also I appreciate the fact that you know your weaknesses. Probability, number properties, combinatories, roots, inequalities- no one deals with them better than the MGMAT strat guides, I hope you used them or are planning to. For me verbal is all about SC, you need to be very sharp on these as though actual solving time on SC is miniscule, it can get very tricky.

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heygirl · Answer

Agree with msneemo, the test and its contents are not hard to master but the test itself is a little intimidating and that's one aspect that we need to work on as we go through our prep. Aim for a score of around 630-650 in your practice test(do the AWA's every time you take a test) and you should be good for a 600 on the actual test day.

AmrithS · Answer

When you write any test, try and look at as an opportunity to apply everything you have learned! This little change in attitude will work miracles.

bdunndchi · Answer

Welcome to the forum from a fellow forum newbie.

Don't let your fear of taking the GMAT hurt you. Use it to let you know that you need to study hard for it. Two weeks is a very short period of prep time for a test as substantial as the GMAT. The more you study and the more practice exams you take, the more the information and question structure can be burned into your memory.

menacel · Answer

My suggestion, play some sports. It may sound dumb now, but the physical exercise will help you gain confidence and make you happier.

If you are at a 530, just sit down for a month or two with MGMAT books, and I promise you, you will rock the test.

When sat for my first practice test, I got a 460. But I didn't let that stop me. After two months I got a 590. After three I got a 650. But on the actual test I dropped to a 600. If 600 is what you are aiming for, you can definitely do it. Just put in a couple hours of day for GMAT, and you will begin to realize how easily you can divide up your day and make yourself productive.

aznboi986 · Answer

Thanks for all of the advice, fellow GMATers. After about 2 weeks of studying a few hours a day, I took my first practice test (the free Manhattan GMAT).

I scored a 640 (44 Q and 34 V). Compare that to my actual score two years ago of 37 Q and 26 V.

I watched a verbal course video from Manhattan and I think that really helped explain how to approach sentence correction (split and resplit).

Now, my math score also jumped, and I'm not really sure why. More details to come. Thanks again for your words of encouragement!

aznboi986 · Answer

So some of the things I still need to improve on that should be fairly easy to nail once I figure things out:

1. Working with exponents: negative exponents, fractions raised to the nth power, exponents that ARE fractions

2. Factoring: I have a hard time knowing when to factor stuff out and the rules of factoring

3. Putting questions into algebraic terms: Almost every question seems like it can be translated into an algebraic equation. I have a hard time doing that.

4. Square roots: Basically the rules for adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing numbers that are under the square root symbol

aznboi986 · Answer

Just took a Kaplan practice test (no essays)

Score breakdown is 39 Q and 40 V for a 630.

I'm not sure how I did so well on the verbal or why my quant is relatively low. How is Kaplan compared to the actual GMAT and Manhattan?

Most of my incorrect answers were from Data Sufficiency and Sentence Correction...so I guess I know what I need to improve.

desiaggie1980 · Answer

Wow! its a great progress. how many practice tests are you planning to take and when is your real test?

aznboi986 · Answer

Thanks. I take it on May 13 and plan on doing at least 1 practice test per week up until the test. I really haven't practiced any verbal, but I guess I've kind of grasped the concept of CR and RC now.

Sentence correction will always be my weakness, so I should probably get on that.

My math skills are still a bit weak. Equations (put x in terms of y) and manipulating equations are my weakpoint right now. Also have some trouble with population questions.

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I'm scared of the GMAT...

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