BackgroundI started preparing for GMAT in June using the following materials:
1. Official Prep (
OG + Review + Practice Questions)
2. Power Score CR
3. Manhattan SC
Following were my official mock scores:
PT1 20/06:660 (Q49,V31) (no prep)
PT2 09/07:690 (Q49,V34)
PT5 25/08:660 (Q50,V29)
PT6 31/09:720 (Q50,V37)
PT3 09/09:710 (Q51,V35)
As I scored 710-720 in mocks (Extremely similar testing environment), I booked the test date for a week later. I thought I was hitting my peak last week and was confident of getting a score above 700.
The NightmareI wont lie, I was crazy nervous on the test day. Three months of prep and having a lot riding on the exam definitely weighed on me. Moreover, being aware of the horrible drops in scores from practice tests to official GMAT for a number members of this forum, made me more cautious. Nevertheless, I tried to be as cool and calm as possible and started the test.
As I was comfortable in quant, I started with verbal first, maintaining the pattern in which I took my official mocks. During the Verbal section, I thought I was getting difficult questions, which made me happy thinking that I was doing well. But in my attempt to get some difficult questions right, I lost track of time, leaving me only 10-11 minutes for the final 9 questions.
I somehow scraped through and closed the verbal section by guessing the last three questions. Thereafter, I took my break, relaxed and started the quant section. I read the first question on Time speed and distance, a type of question which I have probably practiced more than 100 times, and got right more than 95% of the time. I formed the equation of the question and BANG, I completely froze. Crushed and unable to do very simple math like 30/8 in my head I was completely blank and helpless, sinking under the weight of a ticking clock and the depraved rhetoric - 'I have practiced this so many times, I will be able to solve this'. The next thing I know, 6 minutes have passed without me answering even one question. Still, I tried to hold myself together and power through the remaining paper. I somehow reached a comfortable position, and had 17 minutes for the last 10 questions. Though I completed the questions, I was not happy with the fact that I had to rush through the latter questions in both sections.
After finishing IR and AWA, reality kicked in. I scored a dismal
650 (Q49, V31), which was lower than my lowest mock. I was disappointed but was expecting such a bad result. I knew that the sins I committed during early parts of the exam would come back to haunt me, and they certainly did. Moreover, I understood that the verbal questions I deemed difficult, were actually medium or easy level questions.
I have attached my ESR, which certainly indicates how bad I performed in the final quarter of both Verbal and Quant. Although I am disappointed, my ESR has given me some good insights about my weaknesses.
Way Forward and guidanceI plan to take a break of a week or two before resuming my preparation. In the meantime it would be great if someone can have a look at my ESR and point out the things which I can improve on. I want to analyze my performance asap as the test taking experience is still fresh in my mind.
Thanks,
DM
Sorry to hear that you could not get your desired score on GMAT. But I'm happy that you are open to seeking suggestions and open to working on your weak areas. This will definitely help you improve your score.
Honestly, to suggest you anything specific, I would need a little more information because I ask a lot of questions to understand the student's approach. So, it would be better if you can tell me your approach you followed so that I can suggest you which areas to work on. I understand that it would be difficult for you to write it here. So, a better way could to connect over a zoom conference call and discuss the same. As you have an ESR, I can definitely help you in analyzing it. We can get in touch over a zoom conference call and we can analyze it together. This way we can figure out what exactly your weak areas are and then make a plan of action.
So, if you wish to connect over a call, you can use the below link to schedule one.