divisionbyzero wrote:
Quick background:
I studied 100 hours the past month and a half, quant only (verbal has always been > 40). My process for learning material is:
1) Read manhattan chapter and do problems at the end
2) Make flash cards on the problems I find interesting or don't understand
3) Do 5-7
OG problems for each Manhattan chapter and spend 3mins each analyzing them.
4) Spend time doing random OGs and reviewing missed questions on CATs
My CATs were as follows:
7/20/2012: MGMT 1 (before studying) 500 (26Q 33V).
8/1/2012: GMAC CAT - 650 (39Q 40V)
*between these CATs I studied the majority of my 100 hours*
8/20/2012: GMAT FOCUS Quant Tool: 36-44Q
8/25/2012: MGMT 670 (41V 40Q)
9/1/2012: GMAC CAT 690 (8 IR 44Q 40V)
REAL GMAT: 540 (27Q 37V)
I took the test yesterday and was absolutely SHOCKED when 540 came up. Everything had gone perfectly (so I thought). I felt better about this test than any of my practice tests. I have no idea how I got 27Q, I still think I'm in a bad dream. I was extremely calm and relaxed during the test, my timing was perfect (followed MGMT benchmarks), I was confident and the problems felt easy (looking back at my score I know why).
I plan to take the GMAT again October 10th but this seems to have put a damper on my plan. Should I just continue as if it didn't happen and focus on the fundamentals (ie. identify weak areas from past CATs/problems).
divisionbyzero wrote:
Quick background:
I studied 100 hours the past month and a half, quant only (verbal has always been > 40). My process for learning material is:
1) Read manhattan chapter and do problems at the end
2) Make flash cards on the problems I find interesting or don't understand
3) Do 5-7
OG problems for each Manhattan chapter and spend 3mins each analyzing them.
4) Spend time doing random OGs and reviewing missed questions on CATs
My CATs were as follows:
7/20/2012: MGMT 1 (before studying) 500 (26Q 33V).
8/1/2012: GMAC CAT - 650 (39Q 40V)
*between these CATs I studied the majority of my 100 hours*
8/20/2012: GMAT FOCUS Quant Tool: 36-44Q
8/25/2012: MGMT 670 (41V 40Q)
9/1/2012: GMAC CAT 690 (8 IR 44Q 40V)
REAL GMAT: 540 (27Q 37V)
I took the test yesterday and was absolutely SHOCKED when 540 came up. Everything had gone perfectly (so I thought). I felt better about this test than any of my practice tests. I have no idea how I got 27Q, I still think I'm in a bad dream. I was extremely calm and relaxed during the test, my timing was perfect (followed MGMT benchmarks), I was confident and the problems felt easy (looking back at my score I know why).
I plan to take the GMAT again October 10th but this seems to have put a damper on my plan. Should I just continue as if it didn't happen and focus on the fundamentals (ie. identify weak areas from past CATs/problems).
Hi Buddy,
First thing first : It's so difficult to accept or come in terms with the haywire results from gmatland, its difficult to get a 700 but even more rather extremely difficult to amass the spunk to face the gmat beast for the 2nd/3rd time (no matter what the reason is ) - it takes tons n tons of courage to take the bit again bxn one's teeth, to perk up the determination and to take the setback ( read momentary ) to one's head and not to one's heart amidst balancing all other priorities of life viz continuing with the existing job, facing that yucky boss again, risking those relationships which we never intend to do............ SO KUDOS for all the above.
Bro, Since have encoutered a similar sobbing story, my friendly dimes :
1. Since ur 4 cats reveal a V40, without any repeats, it can be safely concluded that the scores are not inflated ones and that concepts are not an issue : So doing exactly what u did in ur first attempt, revising all those in ur 2nd attempt will be an overkill---------- u shouldn't revise all but should revisit.
There has to be some difference in preparation bxn 1st n 2nd attempt : retake is more about strategic /regimented approach ie a DRILL
2. Somewhere , something went terribly wrong? Take 3-4days off and introspect--- what is that something , what is that bug which stopped me from getting to my score; Believe me in one or two sittings with urself u are bound to get some cues viz.
3. Did u try the Gprep docs ( tagged under whiplash's name ), they have some of the toughest official Q's: If not then u can lay ur hands upon this, doing under timed conditions ---- this can be a real show stopper.
4. Why did u take only 4 tests ? Take as many tests u can
mgmat u still have 4 left, gmat prep them multiple times ( both from the newer n older version ) , even if u get repeats no harm because u r not taking the cat's as any estimation tool but to increase ur stamina, getting familiar with the pattern of the exam till it becomes ur second nature : Furthermore even with repeats are u able to get them right for for the right reasons / able to recognise patterns and not because u remember those, are u able to mange V 45 everytime ?
4. In ur retake : think of the things that pulled u down and pounce on them / revisit concepts / try so that they gets embossed / apply them on ur practise mocks.
5. For fresh meat, U can also lay ur hands upon Gmatprep QUestIon bank 1 @ about 1000 bucks from mba.com, 400 official retired questions not found in
og's or elsewhere
6. If u feel, u can take some external help also.
Cheer up buddy, surely this time u will tame the beast.