PERFECT GPA BUT LOW GMAT SCORE

Question

Hi guys ,
 
 I wanted to know your point of view and asking for a few friendly advice about my situation :
I am an Economics student with a good academic background (GPA 4 , Exchange in Singapore , IELTS 7.5 , internship abroad). However , I have taken twice the GMAT and both scores were 525 (with a medium quant and low DI and Verb).
I do not think it is a matter of preparation because I have studied 1 month for the first and then another month for the second test by using the official prep and GMAT Club FORUM. 
 I am really disappointed with myself because the only obstacle that stops me from being accepted in a top tier master is this hellish test. I have never heard about a person who has a perfect GPA and at the same time struggle so much with this test , how do you think it is possible? 
 Right now the only options that I have are : 
 
  Apply to ESCP , because it is one of the few prestigious masters which does not require this particular test.  
  Taking a GAP year and , besides doing internships and learning a new language , try again the GMAT or the GRE. This second choice is risky since I am worried about wasting an entire year because I am not sure if , since the low scores I got, I have a big improving gap.

Thank you really much to whom will reply to this message,
 
 Edoardo

kingbucky · Answer

Hey Edoardo, I can understand your frustration. It's tough when a test stands between you and your goals, especially when you've got an impressive academic background. It might not be about your preparation as much as it is about how you're approaching the test. Sometimes, the GMAT can be tricky for those who excel academically but struggle with the format or time pressure. If you're set on a top-tier program, I would suggest a gap year with a clear plan to refine your strategy. Maybe consider professional coaching or more targeted prep. Keep at it!

shishimaru · Answer

Sometimes, despite all the preparation, the test doesn't align with our strengths. Your GPA shows that you have the ability, so it might be helpful to work on test-taking strategies like time management or mindset adjustments rather than just content. If you’re aiming for a gap year, use it wisely to focus on improving your test strategy and gaining real-world experience. Don't give up!

supremekai · Answer

Actually it’s a common experience for many people who are strong academically but find the GMAT a real challenge. The GMAT tests not just knowledge, but also the ability to handle time pressure and critical thinking. If you're struggling with DI and Verbal, I would suggest focusing more on practicing timed mock tests and analyzing your performance. A gap year can be a great opportunity to build those skills and try again with more tailored preparation, but it’s important to also think about your long-term goals. Best of luck!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider writing a profile-review in the Ask Admissions Consultants subforum. You could include the types of schools you're potentially interested in and any queries you may have.

yc168 · Answer

Hi Edoardo,

Frankly speaking, two months of prep is still below the average length of preparation for typical GMAT test takers. If you browse through the Share GMAT Experience forum, you will see people that have spent 1 year, or even 3 years to finally achieve their goal.

With your academic foundation, I believe it's very likely that you can still achieve your goal with a more structured study as well as a change in strategy/mindset. Alternatively, you can consider switching to GRE, depending on the program you are applying to.

All the best.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Edoardo

It seems like your prep was off-track compared to your gaps (particularly because there was no improvement in your score after a minimum 16 day gap between tests). What was the time gap between your two attempts?

The only way to know the right path ahead is a strong diagnostic effort to figure out what your critical gaps are in each area of the test. Most likely, a big part is a gap in test-taking skills (your approach to questions not your knowledge of concepts).

We offer a FREE diagnostic session with a GMAT performance coach -- no strings attached. You'll just get a clear picture of your gaps and an exact study / prep plan to fix them and get your target score.

Let me know if you're interested in setting it up.

Either way, best of luck.

bb · Answer

I would say that the way you study and the way you have studied for college are not working for you with the GMAT.

Nothing is wrong with you or the test but you need to figure out what the problem is before sinking a lot more time.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi EdoardoMarz,

As yc168 pointed out, 2 months is on the low side. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you should consider giving yourself more time to prep for the test.

EdoardoMarz · Answer

The thing is that I still do not understand why I get these low scores. I have also tried to speak with friends who achieved their dream scores but I still do not get what is the problem.

EdoardoMarz · Answer

First of all thanks!

Can I ask why like you many people are suggesting me to try the GRE?
Is it because they test different skills or they have a different structure?

yc168 · Answer

Hi Edoardo,

No problem. Let me try to clarify my thoughts a bit more, before answering your question about why GRE.

Looking at the title of your post, I had a feeling that you have not really understood what GMAT is testing you. GMAT is not an academic test - neither math test nor English test. It is a testing of executive reasoning skills. So yes, a solid academic background will help, but that does not translate directly into a high GMAT score. GMAT requires you to strategize your problem-solving approach, use logical reasoning, integrate different data formats to draw inference, and make decisions under time pressure, with all kinds of traps idiosyncratic to GMAT. You may or may not have been exposed to these skills in your undergraduate study.

Secondly, I think your expectation for the preparation time is unrealistic, which many had pointed out. Going through your post again, I found that I kind of overlooked a piece of information - you took IELTS. That means your undergraduate institution likely did not use English as primary instructing language. This could potentially be a reason for your lower Verbal score, and that will in turn impact your DI score, given that even some native speakers will feel time-pressured in DI section due to the large amount of information presented.

All those are not to say it's impossible for you to achieve a desired GMAT score. But you need to have the right expectation/mindset, seek more structured prep method, and put in more efforts than you imagined.

As to GRE, obvious we don't know much about you, being just friendly strangers on the Internet. But sometimes more academically-oriented students will perform better in GRE than in GMAT, thus the suggestion. Not sure if there is free GRE practice test out there. If yes, I guess what I suggested is to give it a try and see which test you would feel more comfortable with, and therefore enables you to score better and gives you more advantage in graduate school application.

Just my two cents.

s.tripathi · Answer

What do you think are the real fault lines in your preparation? Maybe sharing insights on those lines might help.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Again, there are significant subset of test takers who fall in the same category as you -- and it's all because of the unique nature of the GMAT. There's such a strong reasoning element, requiring analysis, visualization and prioritisation of information given, that often what's holding your score back is those test taking skills. There are all sorts of critical processes that need be used consistently to make harder quant, verbal and DI questions easier to tackle. Identifying those requires a deep dive (question by question) across sections and question formats to see where you consistently show gaps in your processes. Then you need to use targeted drills to attack those gaps in a very efficient way if you want to make big improvements in weeks rather than months.

EdoardoMarz

The thing is that I still do not understand why I get these low scores. I have also tried to speak with friends who achieved their dream scores but I still do not get what is the problem.

bb

I would say that the way you study and the way you have studied for college are not working for you with the GMAT.

Nothing is wrong with you or the test but you need to figure out what the problem is before sinking a lot more time.

EdoardoMarz · Answer

This is the problem : I do not see any huge flaws in my study plan.
1. Done all the official practice questions (most of them twice)
2. Done ALL the simulations twice (1-6)
3. Done some questions per topic based on my weaknesses here on the GMAT Club Forum

I usually can evaluate myself after the exams but this time I am not able to see the problem.

EdoardoMarz · Answer

Thanks!

This is a really high-quality answer

yc168 · Answer

Hi  EdoardoMarz  ,

Just came across a new Youtube video by GMAT Ninja. Thought it might be helpful to you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhH5EOkPliQ

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

PERFECT GPA BUT LOW GMAT SCORE

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards