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dhirukapur
Joined: 28 Nov 2015
Last visit: 17 Mar 2017
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Schools: Tepper '19 (S)
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V34
![My GMAT Journey So Far [Seeking Advice]](https://cdn.gmatclub.com/cdn/files/forum/styles/gmatclub_light/imageset/icon_post_target_unread.svg "My GMAT Journey So Far [Seeking Advice]"){kind=icon}
28 Aug 2016, 06:22
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Hey guys
I've attempted the GMAT twice. Here is what went down:
1. First attempt:
When: December 2015
Score: 690 (Q49, V33), IR 8, AWA 6
Resources: Official guides, Manhattan Prep
Target Score: 720
Although I was putting efforts into preparation sporadically, to be completely honest, I wasn't thinking much about the test. Few days before the test day, I started to feel that I was grossly under-prepared and was very close to cancelling my appointment. I chalked out a plan to join/take up some coaching to fine tune my quant skills and improve my verbal abilities before taking up the test. I controlled my urge to cancel and decided to face the test anyway. With a real bold mindset I took the test and was fairly surprised with the outcome. After the test, I took some time to evaluate whether I should apply to schools for Fall 2016 or not. I took two decisions: one, not to rush my applications and two, improve my GMAT score to 720 at least. Identified that I will have to improve my verbal score without negatively affecting my quant score. There, I had my target set. And with that in mind, I enrolled for the e-GMAT verbal online course.
About the Centre: GATS, Pune, India. The place was comfortable and I was satisfied with the overall test experience.
2. Second Attempt:
When: Yesterday (27 Aug 2016)
Score: 660 (Q43, V38), IR 6
Resources: Official guides, Manhattan Prep, e-GMAT verbal online
Target Score: 720
A loud BANG and I am (present tense, because I still am) shattered with my score! My verbal score did improve, thanks to the wonderful e-GMAT course, but what on earth happened to my IR and Quant score? Obviously, I cancelled my score (thank heavens this is possible).
What really happened: My test experience was a wreck (test centre - GATS, Pune, India). I was allotted a seat in the corner of the room. Didn't think much of it until I actually started with the essay. Now this room had two other people taking the test and although it was equipped with an air-conditioner, it wasn't switched on. While I was in the middle of the essay, I realized it was getting crazy hot in there, especially in the corner where I was seated. I managed to crawl through the AWA and IR section and I knew I hadn't done as well as I wanted to/could have.
During the break, I asked the test admin to turn on the AC, and yet he didn't. When I went in for the quant section, I assumed that he would have turned on the AC. All hell broke loose; I started sweating like a pig, sweat dripping from my head and my hand kerchief was already all wet after the first one hour. My eyes started to burn and it felt as if my head was on fire. I felt dehydrated during the exam; I almost didn't know what was happening at all. I am not exaggerating here. Simple questions weren't making sense to me. We all know the extent of pressure during the exam and also the need to stay calm during the exam (which btw, cannot be over-emphasized). How can someone keep a cool head when he/she is not comfortable physically? By the time I finished quant, I knew my test was totally messed up and my target score just got further away - after having spent nearly four months on preparations, and so many dollars! The test admin turned on the AC towards the second half of my verbal section. By then the outcome was all too clear.
I am at a loss here. Can I report this unpleasant test experience somewhere (what was different this time? - the month of the exam! Decembers are cooler and as it turns out, Augusts aren't!)? Should I give another shot at the test? Did my quant capabilities actually drop and do I need to focus more on quant now? I took the GMATprep tests and my quant score in those tests were 49 and 50. I've scored better in my Manhattan CAT quants! And I took every mock under conditions as close as possible to those of the real test. I feel quite stupid - I mean, who takes the test for the second time only to get a lower score?
I already put-off applications for 2016, I really do not want to do that again. I need to start working on my applications, but I do not have my target score yet (I really do consider myself a 720-guy, if not more)! Inputs will be much appreciated.
Oh, and I am about to run out of my e-gmat membership and if I were to schedule the test again to achieve my target score, I'd like to have access to the verbal course to revise the concepts. What do I do about this? I really need some outside perspective on my situation here before I beat myself up!
The title of this post says 'so far' because I am not done with GMAT yet.... I think.
Thanks!
-DK
I've attempted the GMAT twice. Here is what went down:
1. First attempt:
When: December 2015
Score: 690 (Q49, V33), IR 8, AWA 6
Resources: Official guides, Manhattan Prep
Target Score: 720
Although I was putting efforts into preparation sporadically, to be completely honest, I wasn't thinking much about the test. Few days before the test day, I started to feel that I was grossly under-prepared and was very close to cancelling my appointment. I chalked out a plan to join/take up some coaching to fine tune my quant skills and improve my verbal abilities before taking up the test. I controlled my urge to cancel and decided to face the test anyway. With a real bold mindset I took the test and was fairly surprised with the outcome. After the test, I took some time to evaluate whether I should apply to schools for Fall 2016 or not. I took two decisions: one, not to rush my applications and two, improve my GMAT score to 720 at least. Identified that I will have to improve my verbal score without negatively affecting my quant score. There, I had my target set. And with that in mind, I enrolled for the e-GMAT verbal online course.
About the Centre: GATS, Pune, India. The place was comfortable and I was satisfied with the overall test experience.
2. Second Attempt:
When: Yesterday (27 Aug 2016)
Score: 660 (Q43, V38), IR 6
Resources: Official guides, Manhattan Prep, e-GMAT verbal online
Target Score: 720
A loud BANG and I am (present tense, because I still am) shattered with my score! My verbal score did improve, thanks to the wonderful e-GMAT course, but what on earth happened to my IR and Quant score? Obviously, I cancelled my score (thank heavens this is possible).
What really happened: My test experience was a wreck (test centre - GATS, Pune, India). I was allotted a seat in the corner of the room. Didn't think much of it until I actually started with the essay. Now this room had two other people taking the test and although it was equipped with an air-conditioner, it wasn't switched on. While I was in the middle of the essay, I realized it was getting crazy hot in there, especially in the corner where I was seated. I managed to crawl through the AWA and IR section and I knew I hadn't done as well as I wanted to/could have.
During the break, I asked the test admin to turn on the AC, and yet he didn't. When I went in for the quant section, I assumed that he would have turned on the AC. All hell broke loose; I started sweating like a pig, sweat dripping from my head and my hand kerchief was already all wet after the first one hour. My eyes started to burn and it felt as if my head was on fire. I felt dehydrated during the exam; I almost didn't know what was happening at all. I am not exaggerating here. Simple questions weren't making sense to me. We all know the extent of pressure during the exam and also the need to stay calm during the exam (which btw, cannot be over-emphasized). How can someone keep a cool head when he/she is not comfortable physically? By the time I finished quant, I knew my test was totally messed up and my target score just got further away - after having spent nearly four months on preparations, and so many dollars! The test admin turned on the AC towards the second half of my verbal section. By then the outcome was all too clear.
I am at a loss here. Can I report this unpleasant test experience somewhere (what was different this time? - the month of the exam! Decembers are cooler and as it turns out, Augusts aren't!)? Should I give another shot at the test? Did my quant capabilities actually drop and do I need to focus more on quant now? I took the GMATprep tests and my quant score in those tests were 49 and 50. I've scored better in my Manhattan CAT quants! And I took every mock under conditions as close as possible to those of the real test. I feel quite stupid - I mean, who takes the test for the second time only to get a lower score?
I already put-off applications for 2016, I really do not want to do that again. I need to start working on my applications, but I do not have my target score yet (I really do consider myself a 720-guy, if not more)! Inputs will be much appreciated.
Oh, and I am about to run out of my e-gmat membership and if I were to schedule the test again to achieve my target score, I'd like to have access to the verbal course to revise the concepts. What do I do about this? I really need some outside perspective on my situation here before I beat myself up!
The title of this post says 'so far' because I am not done with GMAT yet.... I think.
Thanks!
-DK
29 Aug 2016, 16:22
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi dhirukapur,
Since you were able to hit a V38 and Q49 on actual GMATs, it’s possible that had you not had such a negative experience at the test center you could have hit your 720 score goal on your most recent GMAT. However, before providing any specific advice about a retake, I have a few questions for you.
1) Did you get your enhanced score report? If not, could you do so and share the score breakdown from your most recent GMAT?
2) Can you provide us with the dates and score breakdowns from your Official GMAT prep practice exams?
3) Describe your study routine. How many hours a day did you study?
4) For your retake, how many hours a day can you commit to studying?
5) To what schools do you plan to apply?
6) What deadlines are you targeting?
Once we get some more information, we can provide some personalized advice.
Since you were able to hit a V38 and Q49 on actual GMATs, it’s possible that had you not had such a negative experience at the test center you could have hit your 720 score goal on your most recent GMAT. However, before providing any specific advice about a retake, I have a few questions for you.
1) Did you get your enhanced score report? If not, could you do so and share the score breakdown from your most recent GMAT?
2) Can you provide us with the dates and score breakdowns from your Official GMAT prep practice exams?
3) Describe your study routine. How many hours a day did you study?
4) For your retake, how many hours a day can you commit to studying?
5) To what schools do you plan to apply?
6) What deadlines are you targeting?
Once we get some more information, we can provide some personalized advice.
29 Aug 2016, 17:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi dhirukapur,
I'm sorry to hear about the unpleasant situation you faced during your second Official GMAT. However, your original 690/Q49 is a fantastic score (it's just shy of the 90th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:
ask-admission-consultants-124/
1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
I'm sorry to hear about the unpleasant situation you faced during your second Official GMAT. However, your original 690/Q49 is a fantastic score (it's just shy of the 90th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:
ask-admission-consultants-124/
1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
