Planning to retake - Please help

Question

Hi Guys,

I took my first GMAT exam on Nov 5 and got only 610, although I was scoring between 680 - 710 on gmatPrep mocks. I am thinking to start preparing again and I am not in rush to retook the exam as am now planning for the class of 2018. So please guide me - How should I start again?

Also I have used all my mocks - Manhattan and 6 GmatPrep, so If anyone went through the same scenario, please let me know how did they improve and from where they got the new resources.

Thank you!

KarishmaB · Answer

Hey Surabhi, What was your Quant/Verbal split? In most such cases, my first suggestion is to get your Enhanced Score Report. It will tell you your strengths and weaknesses in the actual test. Once you identify the sections in which your weaknesses lie. work hard on them. Then start taking 1 practice test every week or two weeks. You can try out one of our practice tests for free (link given below). The scores of our practice tests are quite indicative of the actual test scores (though the biggest advantage of practice tests is that one is able to identify the weaknesses). https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi surabhib,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. If you can answer a few questions, then we should be able to figure this out:

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi surabhib,

First of all, I need to understand your specific problem areas.

1. What was your split on both sections?
2. Did you follow any study material?
3. How long did you study?
4. Have you completed all the questions from the OG and the Verbal Review?

GMATPill · Answer

Practice doesn't make perfect. It's not new resources you necessarily need -- it's a new strategy. Solving new questions and getting the same result won't really help. In fact, if you can answer all of your previous questions correct -- with >90% accuracy, you're in good shape. The question is, what is that new strategy or thought process that will get you through those previous questions faster and more accurately?

That's the question you need to ask yourself. Not necessarily how to get more resources.

That's the question you need to ask yourself. Not necessarily how to get more resources.

surabhib · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC

Below are my answers

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)? YES
2) Did you take them at home? I took all my official GMATPrep (5 mocks) at an institute, others at home
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT? YES
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? Only in one mock
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE? Some ques were repeated

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi surabhib,

From your prior post, there were a couple of 'red flags' in how you took your CATs. Before we discuss those points though, I have a few additional questions about the lead-up to Test Day and Test Day itself:

1) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
2) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
3) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
4) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
5) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?
6) Did you finish any sections early?
7) Did you have to rush to finish any sections (and guess on questions just to finish on time)?

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

Planning to retake - Please help

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