Is it fine to take up 4th attempt of GMAT.

Question

Hi,

I have taken GMAT thrice, but did not achieve the desired score. Somehow I even achieved lower scores than the mocks itself. Is it fine to give another attempt? If yes, which Quant course can be the most beneficial for me to improve from Q43 to about Q50. I have scored over a Q46 and Q47 in my previous two attempts but this time it slipped to a Q43. I just have a month's time to prepare (2 hours per day on weekdays and 5-6 hours on weekends).

Silviax · Answer

I am taking the GMAT for the 4th time next month and I want this to be my last time for sure. 
So I don't really see why it would not be fine. You can take the GMAT how often you want. I do believe that after trying 3 times without getting the desired results you will have to dramatically change something about your study methods or otherwise it is highly unlikely that the results will change much. 
I have been taking tutoring lessons since my last try and I can only hope it helped.

How long have you been studying for the GMAT in total?
I am honestly not sure if it is possible to increase your math score this much in a month with only 2 hours of study time. I guess you will have to give it a try if that's all the time you have. 
I can't really recommend any one one specific course for only quant. I used three different online courses and they all had their pluses and minuses but neither one of them was able to propel me to a Q50.

akanksha2508 · Answer

It been over 8 months and previously I studied for about 3 months. My score skipped from q47 to q43 and I dont even know why. What all courses have you taken up?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi akanksha2508,

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) What were your Official Scores on each of your GMATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long did you study for each of your attempts?
3) What materials have you used?

4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
6) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

akanksha2508 · Answer

Hi Rich,

I had scored 540,560 and 590 respectively. in my previous two attempts my verbal score was low but this time somehow my Quant score slipped from Q47 to Q43. My target score score is 700 . Even a 680 would do as I am targeting MS not MBA. I did not prepare much in my first attempt and took a long 2 year break to give my second attempt. For 3rd attempt I focused more on verbal since I was consistently scoring low in that. my target university is Northwestern and the deadline for application is 4th Dec before which I even need to prepare for IELTS and other application materials. So I was thinking of giving my 4th and final attempt by mid Oct.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi akanksha2508,

I'd still like to know more about each of your individual Official Scores, including the exact Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each.

The minor fluctuations in your score notwithstanding, these Official Scores are all 'clustered' in the mid-to-high-500s. The results show that you're still 'responding' to the GMAT in relatively the same ways as you did years ago (before you really studied). As such, your 'default' approach to the Test will likely continue to earn you a score in the 500s. To score 700+, you're likely going to need another 2-3 months of consistent, guided study. During that time, you'll need to learn/practice some new Tactics and work to eliminate all of the 'bad habits' that you've developed over the years (and replace them with new 'good habits'). Thankfully, the GMAT is the same consistent, predictable Exam that it's always been. Unfortunately, one month is probably not going to be enough time for you to hit your score goal.

1) What is your exact Test Date?
2) Do you have flexibility to push that Test Date back?

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

akanksha2508 · Answer

Hi rich,

My the exact split was v15 q46 in 1st attempt, v18 q47 in 2nd attempt and v26 q43 in 3rd attempt . 
Maybe I can push my date till 5th Nov at the very best not beyond that. My exact plan of action would be 1 month quant and another month of verbal, quant and mocks practice.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi akanksha2508,

Pushing your Test Date back to November 5th would give you about 2 months of total study time, which might be enough study time (if you're efficient about how you use that time).

Given your recent Official Score, you're going to have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. You would likely find it more beneficial to do a 'mix' of Quant and Verbal studying each week with practice CATs spaced at regular intervals throughout (than taking an "all Quant, then all Verbal" approach). Based on everything that you’ve described, 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 would fit that 2 month schedule. 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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