Hi all!
I took my GMAT last week at a test center - had planned to take it online, but had some major technical issues and wanted to retake before the 16 day waiting period.
I scored a 720 Q47 V41 IR7 AWA6 - ESR attached for review - my plan is to retake online in about 11 days.
On the official mocks I scored as follows
1 - 740 Q48 V44 IR8 (repeat)
2 - 760 Q48 V46 IR7 (missed 1 SC, 1 strengthen CR, 1 explain)
3 - 740 Q49 V42 IR8 (missed 3 SC questions, 2 cast-doubt/weaken CR questions)
4 - 770 Q50 V46 IR8 (missed 2 RC questions, 1 infer, 1 according to the passage)
The test center conditions were not the greatest - small room in a high-traffic building, could hear what was happening outside, proctor kept coming in and out and I sat in front of the door, the temperature was very low and I was in front of the AC which he turned on and off throughout. This also encouraged me to schedule an online retake afterwards, as I could control the environment more readily and be more comfortable.
Despite the TC discomfort, I obviously have a CR problem.
I was somewhat aware of the weakness on CR, and I realize there's a smidge of luck in getting more or less of a certain type of question on the actual test. However, I am not sure I entirely understand the Construction/Plan sub-type or how to address it. I don't recall if the third quarter was heavy on these, as that is where the performance dropped significantly.
If it would be helpful, I can include the questions from M2,3 and 4 that I missed. M1 was a repeat, so not sure how valid it is.
My goal would be a V44+ and perhaps Q48+, for an overall of 740+. Not a huge leap, but advise from experts is always welcome.
EDIT: As far as math goes, I had a geometry question which threw me off really early and I spent <i>way</i> too much time on it, comments on quant also welcome and appreciated.
Any tips, or thoughts?
Nov 27, 2022 Online GMAT UPDATE:
Hi all!
Took the test online in the comfort of my home and the result was much better.
I took a 10-11 day vacation after the test-center attempt, did another official practice test and reviewed a little for another 3-4 days:
Total:
760Quant: 49
Verbal: 45
IR: 8
This definitely feels more aligned with my official practice test results, so I am satisfied with the outcome. I think the results were largely driven by a better test environment and more awareness of my weaknesses - given there was little additional study.
Indirect thank you to GMATNinja whose verbal series on YT is fantastic
Many thanks to MartyTargetTestPrep - that link served as good booster
Now I shall continue with the rest of the apps
Cheers to all!
What changed?- I always practiced in my room after 5 pm vs test center in the morning. So environment and time now matched training conditions. Test center was loud and really cold to the point I was shivering at times. Comfort was definitely higher.
- ESR helped me see that I was perhaps being very inconsistent with my process in the verbal section. In part, resetting my mindset with GMATNinja and MartyTargetTestPrep videos about approach (4 wrong answers, process of elimination).
- Slowing down and not relying on gut or randomly picking between the last two.
I feel great! I also realized that the previous 720 was absolutely fine, especially if I invested effort into the essays. So having that fallback probably removed some pressure.
Is it just a good attempt vs a bad attempt?- Yes and no.
- The level of comfort and stress definitely played a role in the performance. I might have gotten fewer questions targeted at my weak spots? At the end of the day, though, it was me who got the 720 - not the environment.
- I have always believed that an important portion of the standardized testing process is being at ease when the test comes. I've seen peers much more knowledgeable fail professional exams that I passed.
- They let the exam get to them.
- I had scored consistently higher on the practice exams, but the stressful conditions brought out old habits (perhaps).