Need Urgent Guidance. My GMAT is on 24-June-17

Question

PLease Help :cry:

My GMAT is on 24-June-17. I have been religiously preparing for GMAT from 14-Mar-17. In last 3 months, I solved all questions of OG-16, OG-17. I had kept an Error Log to track the concepts and area of wrong doing. After completing each section and overall preparation, I took sectional test every other day for quant and verbal. Finally, after analysing all the sectional tests and error log, I marked the areas where I was weak (For Verbal – SC -Idiom, Modifiers, CR- Assumptions, Bold Face, RC-as a whole is my weakest point, For Quant – Probability, Permutation, Combination & Number Properties). After taking several sectional tests and following the error log, I took notes for where I was getting wrong for the wrong answer choices. I was getting confident. Finally, I finished my preparation on 31-June-17 and decided to take mock tests. In the last 10 days, I took 2 mocks. I have failed miserably. I was shocked when I got 480 (Q32, V23) & 500 (Q39, V21) in GMAT Prep Software mock test. I had earlier given GMAT one year ago with a minor preparation. Unfortunately, my score was 480 (Q31, V25) . This time I expected score between 650-670 as I felt having good preparation and gaining confidence for GMAT. The last two mock test scores have torn me apart. I dont have options for coaching as my work schedule is hectic. I work in a India's largest Infrastructure & Construction Organization as a Mechanical Engineer (Usual working hours is 8am-8pm). So, I get to study from 9:30pm-11:30pm every day. I feel like I have burnt all my energy right now and no more improvement can be done. Frustration is increasing as exam date is coming nearer. Please help me motivate and strategize. Following are my study materials – Verbal – SC – Manhattan CR – Power Score CR Bible RC – OG-16,OG-17 guides Quant- Je¤ Sackmann’s Math Bible and Manhattan Books

jkolachi · Answer

Worrying about the score won't help you, it will only make matters worse. Trust your preparation, pick your battles carefully on the gmat. if a question is too difficult let it go, don't spend too much time on any given question because that will end up hurting you in the long run.

Walk into the exam room with confidence, don't be scared because fear will only make matters worse. Think of yourself as a gladiator, you can either fight for your life or get destroyed like a coward.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi merajul,

From what you describe, it sounds like the approach that you've taken to the GMAT has gotten you 'stuck' around a 500. While you sound unhappy about this, your specific goals aren't clear, so we should start there.

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. If you're more than 50 points from your score goal though, you should consider pushing back your Test Date so that you can adjust your Study Plan, focus on learning/practicing new Tactics and continue to improve.

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

merajul · Answer

Hi Rich,
Thnx for the PM.
1. My plan was to reach 680 by 1st June,17 and gradually to 730-740. Unfortunately, I am way behind my expectations. 
2. I intended to apply for R-1 as I heard scholarship options are greater in R-1 applications. But it seems, I should target for R-2 now. 
3. I have planned only to apply for INSEAD, IIM-A, IIM-B & IIM-C. I am having 6years work experience in Power, Infra & Construction sector.

Please suggest.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi merajul,

Raising a 500 to a 730+ will take some serious work - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. All of that work will likely take at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study. While you could still take the GMAT on June 24th (and use it as a learning experience), you will end up taking the GMAT again. Thus, you can decide whether you want to spend that extra $250 or not.

You've named some highly competitive Schools, so a strong GMAT Score is a MUST. You'll likely have to adjust your schedule - and potentially apply to School during a later application Round. While that might not make you 'happy', you have to remember your REAL goal: to get into your first-choice Business School. If you don't have a competitive GMAT Score, then application deadline(s) won't matter.

Based on what you've described, your studies appear to have been 'book heavy.' Many Test Takers who use a book heavy study approach end up getting 'stuck' at a particular score level, so you'll likely find it really beneficial to invest in some new non-book resources that focus on the proper Quant and Verbal Tactics. 
 
1) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

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

merajul · Answer

Hey Rich

A year back, I appeared for GMAT without preparation. I scored same as recent mocks. So, I am confused, whether it will be viable to appear right now or reschedule in Sep’17.

You are right. My preparation has been primarily book study approach. I have been studying on off for past 1 year. Initially, I started verbal with e-gmat online course. Unfortunately, I could not find enough time for preparation then. I started studying seriously from Mar this year.

I get to study from 9:30 PM to 12:00, on an avg. 2:30 Hrs X 7 = 17.5 Hours/week. My job role is Site based in Power & Infrastructure sector. Typically, working hours range between 8 AM to 8:30 PM.

Thanks and Regards,
merajul

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi merajul,

I think that pushing back your Official GMAT would be a good idea (whether that future date is sometime in September or some other time is up to you).

As far as your ongoing studies are concerned, since you work such long shifts, you might be too tired after a day of work to study in an effective fashion. As such, you might find it beneficial to adjust your routine a bit. If you can go to bed earlier and walk up earlier, then you can study BEFORE you go to work - when you will likely be more awake, alert and able to learn new GMAT concepts.

Given your score goal, you would likely benefit from investing in a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or instructor-led), Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.

If you have any additional questions, then just let me know.

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

Need Urgent Guidance. My GMAT is on 24-June-17

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