Need help in Improving my score by at least 100 points

Question

Hi Gmat Club members!

I am reaching out for advice on my gmat prep! I recently gave the gmat after studying regularly for 3 months (6 months total on and off) and i scored an underwhelming 550 (Q38 V29) in my main exam. I wish to apply to bschool's this year and I am wondering if it makes sense to give the exam again or just give up on my MBA journey. Is it possible for someone to improve their score by 100 marks in a span of 6 weeks? I am not targeting Ivey leagues therefore I am okay with an average GMAT score.

I have been using official mocks in which my score ranges from 570-610. I know there is room for improvement but I am low on confidence and motivation and I am unable to see any light at the end of the tunnel. A few mistakes I think I have made in the process:
1) Practicing too many questions and being able to understand my weakness 
2) Feeling extremely nervous about the exam

Lastly, I feel like I have a sense of my weaker areas in Quant that I cans still work on to take my quant score a bit higher but I dont know if verbal can be improved any further. Can you please advise me if I should retake the exam or give up on this dream?

Any responses are appreciated.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

If the answer had to be given with a yes or a no, fair to say it would be yes. Had a student for example who went from a 650 to a 750 in about 30 days on a retake. How likely such score jumps are, however, is a different matter/may depend. Might be worth checking the Share GMAT Experience to get a sense how likely/long different score jumps may be. There may also be some quick tips from people who've improved their score significantly you can take if you ultimately decide to retake.

How to score high on the GMAT. Why solving approach is important.

pintukr · Answer

A topic-wise practice will assist. Use the Forum Quiz to gain practice.

All the Best.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Ps9664,

Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you studied intermittently over the last 6 months, then THAT might be one of the reasons why you have not made as significant an improvement during that time. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Whether 6 weeks will be enough for you to improve 100 points or not will depend a great deal on your current skills, strengths and weaknesses - but you might also need to consider adjusting your application timeline (to give yourself the necessary time to earn a GMAT Score that you might need to get into your first-choice School).

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:

Studies:
1) Can you go into a bit more detail about how you've been studying over the last 6 months? How much "time off" did you take? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

GMThntr · Answer

Identify where you are making mistakes, work on these mistakes only. In such a short time you can work on your timing and mistakes.

Posted from my mobile device

AKAV46 · Answer

Yeah it can be possible, but it requires you to burn tonns of energy. During this period you can improve by analyzing your mistakes. Maybe your problem is with time management. Identify where you are making mistakes and work on them

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Ps9664,

I don't think you have to give up and I have the perfect article for you!

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