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22 Nov 2018, 20:05
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Hello!
I have been rigorously studying for the GMAT since mid-June. I used the Veritas Prep Program and it was extremely useful. I have gone through the OG, OG Verbal, and OG Quantitative books (both 2018 and 2019). I have gone through the Kaplan 2018 and 2019 Prep Book, along with their GMAT 800 book. I have been averaging 650 or so on my practice GMAT exams (which I have taken ALL in "test-like" structure... 7 from Veritas... 4 from Kaplan... 1 from Economist... 7 from GMAC... 6 from Princeton review... and roughly 5 or 6 from other various sites that I do not remember the names of). My highest total score has been a 690. For the universities I am trying to get into, I really only need a 640 or so to feel extremely confident. I am applying to Management Ph.D. programs (not MBA programs... I already graduated with my MBA).
I took my first GMAT on November 1st and scored a 520!! THAT WAS LOWER THAN EVEN MY LOWEST PRACTICE EXAM... (which was a 550). Granted, just a day before my exam (Oct. 31) I had found out my retired military working dog was going to have to be put down because he was diagnosed with metastasized liver cancer. So I thought: "Okay, this was obviously not a good indication of my ability. I will cancel this score." I canceled the score.
Came in on November 21st and scored a 540! STILL LOWER THAN MY LOWEST PRACTICE EXAM... I felt fine before the exam. I felt confident that I have adequately prepared. I took a couple of deep long breaths before my exam in case I was nervous subconsciously.
Keep in mind how frustrating this is for me. My husband and I talked about our lifestyle and finances and we decided I should quit my job so I could study full time in preparation for such an important exam. I have put in over 1000 hours studying, and that is being stringent in my calculations. I really feel like I have done an awesome job preparing. My timing is not messed up on my practice tests. I finish right in time on every section. I have taken so many practice tests that I don't feel like I get nervous at all for them. I made sure to understand the theoretical concepts being tested as well as applying them in problems. Every practice test I took, I went over EVERY QUESTION to ensure I was using the proper methods. I use the GMAT Club question banks and responses to find the best technique for me on different types of problems. Are there still some concepts that are not my best? Of course. I am not concerned with reaching 720+.
What I do not understand is WHY I am doing SO MUCH WORSE on the real exam than I am on my practice exams. If it was just 30 points? Okay. BUT 100-150 POINTS BELOW MY AVERAGE OR BEST?! That just does not seem right.
Can anyone explain what I should do? Anyone else had this experience too? I am at a loss of words and I am truly discouraged now. EXPERTS! PLEASE HELP A GIRL IN NEED. THIS FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GIRL NEEDS HELP.
Sincerely,
PK
I have been rigorously studying for the GMAT since mid-June. I used the Veritas Prep Program and it was extremely useful. I have gone through the OG, OG Verbal, and OG Quantitative books (both 2018 and 2019). I have gone through the Kaplan 2018 and 2019 Prep Book, along with their GMAT 800 book. I have been averaging 650 or so on my practice GMAT exams (which I have taken ALL in "test-like" structure... 7 from Veritas... 4 from Kaplan... 1 from Economist... 7 from GMAC... 6 from Princeton review... and roughly 5 or 6 from other various sites that I do not remember the names of). My highest total score has been a 690. For the universities I am trying to get into, I really only need a 640 or so to feel extremely confident. I am applying to Management Ph.D. programs (not MBA programs... I already graduated with my MBA).
I took my first GMAT on November 1st and scored a 520!! THAT WAS LOWER THAN EVEN MY LOWEST PRACTICE EXAM... (which was a 550). Granted, just a day before my exam (Oct. 31) I had found out my retired military working dog was going to have to be put down because he was diagnosed with metastasized liver cancer. So I thought: "Okay, this was obviously not a good indication of my ability. I will cancel this score." I canceled the score.
Came in on November 21st and scored a 540! STILL LOWER THAN MY LOWEST PRACTICE EXAM... I felt fine before the exam. I felt confident that I have adequately prepared. I took a couple of deep long breaths before my exam in case I was nervous subconsciously.
Keep in mind how frustrating this is for me. My husband and I talked about our lifestyle and finances and we decided I should quit my job so I could study full time in preparation for such an important exam. I have put in over 1000 hours studying, and that is being stringent in my calculations. I really feel like I have done an awesome job preparing. My timing is not messed up on my practice tests. I finish right in time on every section. I have taken so many practice tests that I don't feel like I get nervous at all for them. I made sure to understand the theoretical concepts being tested as well as applying them in problems. Every practice test I took, I went over EVERY QUESTION to ensure I was using the proper methods. I use the GMAT Club question banks and responses to find the best technique for me on different types of problems. Are there still some concepts that are not my best? Of course. I am not concerned with reaching 720+.
What I do not understand is WHY I am doing SO MUCH WORSE on the real exam than I am on my practice exams. If it was just 30 points? Okay. BUT 100-150 POINTS BELOW MY AVERAGE OR BEST?! That just does not seem right.
Can anyone explain what I should do? Anyone else had this experience too? I am at a loss of words and I am truly discouraged now. EXPERTS! PLEASE HELP A GIRL IN NEED. THIS FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GIRL NEEDS HELP.
Sincerely,
PK
Gagoosh
Joined: 23 Nov 2017
Last visit: 02 Oct 2019
Posts: 102
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 132
Location: Singapore
Concentration: Strategy, Other
Schools: NTU '20 (M) ESSEC '21 (A$)
23 Nov 2018, 00:10
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Hi Girl,
Being a woman (and a mother to an extremely naughty 2 year old boy), I can say that I understand your plight.
I was scoring above 700 in all the mocks but my son was uneasy the night before the actual exam. I took the default order in the exam getting 7 in IR and 49 in Quant. By the time I reached Verbal I was so tired from the night before that I gave up. Ended up getting 660.
what i mean to say is that one bad day is not a measure of our efforts. Do not give up. If you need help in any particular topic or even a subject as whole, speak up. Gmatclub is an amazing forum.
All the best mate
Being a woman (and a mother to an extremely naughty 2 year old boy), I can say that I understand your plight.
I was scoring above 700 in all the mocks but my son was uneasy the night before the actual exam. I took the default order in the exam getting 7 in IR and 49 in Quant. By the time I reached Verbal I was so tired from the night before that I gave up. Ended up getting 660.
what i mean to say is that one bad day is not a measure of our efforts. Do not give up. If you need help in any particular topic or even a subject as whole, speak up. Gmatclub is an amazing forum.
All the best mate
23 Nov 2018, 05:22
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Hi paulakincaid2018
Welcome to Gmatclub!
It is indeed discouraging to see less than anticipated results, and in your case the difference is
substantially large. A beautiful psychological quote says: When you feel like doing nothing or can't seem
to find a solution to a problem, actually do nothing i.e. sit back and relax/take off your mind from the problems
your mind keeps lingering to. That shall help your mind to think out of the box.
Coming to your prep, it shall be more helpful if you could elaborate on mocks splits and the days
on which you took them? Did your actual exam timing vary when compared to the mocks? Lots of students do burn out by
taking too many mocks and it seems in your case, the improvement could have been substantial if you worked on your
weaker areas from one mock to another. We covered some of the best-known reasons for the drop in exam here and see if the post resonates with your dilemma.
I would also encourage you get an ESR (you can get the same, even for a cancelled score) and post the same for reviews
from VeritasKarishma AjiteshArun ScottTargetTestPrep GMATNinja EMPOWERgmatRichC on same space.
I see no reason for you not to be able to cross 700+ barrier and wish the very best for part-2 of the debrief.
Welcome to Gmatclub!
It is indeed discouraging to see less than anticipated results, and in your case the difference is
substantially large. A beautiful psychological quote says: When you feel like doing nothing or can't seem
to find a solution to a problem, actually do nothing i.e. sit back and relax/take off your mind from the problems
your mind keeps lingering to. That shall help your mind to think out of the box.
Coming to your prep, it shall be more helpful if you could elaborate on mocks splits and the days
on which you took them? Did your actual exam timing vary when compared to the mocks? Lots of students do burn out by
taking too many mocks and it seems in your case, the improvement could have been substantial if you worked on your
weaker areas from one mock to another. We covered some of the best-known reasons for the drop in exam here and see if the post resonates with your dilemma.
I would also encourage you get an ESR (you can get the same, even for a cancelled score) and post the same for reviews
from VeritasKarishma AjiteshArun ScottTargetTestPrep GMATNinja EMPOWERgmatRichC on same space.
I see no reason for you not to be able to cross 700+ barrier and wish the very best for part-2 of the debrief.
