Kaplan no help- lost and discouraged

Question

Hi everyone! So, I’ve kinda lurked the forum for a bit the last couple months and feel as tho I might be one of the few who doesn’t need a high score. I only need a 500 and I thought I was just there. In December I got accepted to the school I want to go to on the condition I score above a 500, and a 630 to be considered for scholarships. I took a diagnostic test and scored a 460 (don’t know the break down) thought I would be fine if I just brushed up on my math. After the holidays I started studying out of the OG, after a month in I realized that wasn’t helping so I signed up for the Kaplan self guided help. Thought it was helping but took the gmat and scored about 90 below my highest practice test.

Dec 2018- Kaplan diagnostic 460 
GMAC prep- 400 (31Q15V) 
Signed up for Kaplan 
Kap practice 1: 460 (32Q21V) 
Kap practice 2: 470 (31Q23V) 
Kap practice 3: 480 (35Q 21V) 
Kap practice 4: 500 (35Q 23V) 
Kap practice 5: just did verbal 23

3 days before test GMAC prep: 400 (29Q 17V) 
Real test: 410 (25Q 21V)

On the OG book practice I did well on CR and RC so I don’t understand why on tests I’m not doing well on verbal especially since English is my native language.

I am not a good test taker so I believe that might be having to do with it but it’s frustrating. I feel discouraged and really stupid. I’ve been studying for over 3 months and I feel as I’ve done nothing but waste money and haven’t actually enhanced my skills. Can someone help lead me to some decent prep that is either free or really cheap. I’m already hurting having to pay another 250$ to retake the exam. Thanks In advance!

Posted from my mobile device

eabhgoy · Answer

Hello,

Don't be discouraged, first attempts are always a little difficult. As the next step, I would suggest you look at the video series by  GMATNinja  on the GMAT club youtube page, they are really helpful.

Secondly, start re-examining all the questions of the OG on GMAT club. While going through the different comments you will see different approaches taken by the students and experts and will help to expand your horizon on how to attempt a GMAT question.

Lastly, for quant, I would suggest you have a look at the MGMAT guidebooks and then solve questions on GMAT club topic wise.

COntinue taking a mock test every 1-2 weeks. And when you are close to your next attempt, only take the official tests. I would also suggest you go for the next attempt when you are consistently scoring at least 50 points above your target score.

gmat1393 · Answer

Hi  lmyhra11  welcome to GMAT club

Firstly don't get discouraged by this attempt.You can find lots of stories,on gmatclub, in which people have achieved their dream score in subsequent attempts.

Your score suggest you are lacking basics in both Quant and Verbal.
For Quant I would suggest you go thru Manhattan Quant guides and couple them with GMAT club tests.

For verbal, I would suggest you to enroll for egmat.

All the best!
Hope this helps!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi lmyhra11,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Thus, before we discuss how you might proceed with this next phase of your studies, we need to analyze your prior studies a bit. If you can answer a few questions, then we should be able to figure this out:

When you took your CATs:
1) On what dates did you take each of your CATs and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
3) Did you take them at home?
4) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you took your Official GMAT?
5) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
6) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (re: on a prior CAT, in an online forum or in a practice set)?

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Imyhra11,

I’m sorry to hear how things went with your GMAT, but you ARE NOT stupid, OK? Thousands of GMAT test-takers share your struggle with the GMAT, but by following a smart and thorough study plan, they are able to turn things around. Trust me; there is no reason why you can’t do the same.

I understand that you need only a 500 on your GMAT; however, since you are stuck around 400, you really need to follow a structured study plan that allows you to learn GMAT quant and verbal from the ground up. In other words, you must individually learn each GMAT quant and verbal topic, starting the foundations and progressing to more advanced concepts. Certainly, if you’d like more specific advice, feel free to reach out, and I’d be happy to help.

Regarding resources, in addition to seeking advice in this thread, take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for  the best quant  and  verbal courses, and also read through some   GMAT success stories  to see what materials have worked well for other test-takers.

Lastly, you may find it helpful to read this article about  How to Learn More, Learn Faster, and Retain More Knowledge While Preparing for the GMAT .

Good luck!

lmyhra11 · Answer

Hi rich, thanks for taking the time to reply! Here’s my responses

1) On what dates did you take each of your CATs and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)? 
Dec 2018- Kaplan diagnostic 460 (don’t know the breakdown) 
Mid January GMAC prep- 400 (31Q15V)

2/10: Kap practice 1: 460 (32Q21V) 
2/24: Kap practice 2: 470 (31Q23V) 
3/3: Kap practice 3: 480 (35Q 21V) 
3/23: Kap practice 4: 500 (35Q 23V) 
3/24: GMAC prep 2: 400 (29Q 17V)

Actual test 3/28 410 (25Q 21V)

2) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
Some I did some I didn’t, I choose verbal first then quant as the IR and essay are needed for my admission I didn’t really focus on those.

3) Did you take them at home?
Most I did and others I took at the library

4) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you took your Official GMAT?
The day I scored 500 I went through everything as it was test day.

5) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
No, tho testing was never as quiet as a testing center, even the library had loud people.

6) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (re: on a prior CAT, in an online forum or in a practice set)? 
Not that I recall

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi lmyhra11,

I've sent you a PM with some additional questions.

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

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