CaptainWeiner wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I took the GMAT today June 21st, 2014 and scored a 390 (31 Q and 15 V). To be honest, I think that have I gone through the three emotions of a **** GMAT score: sadness, anger, and acceptance. When I took the GMAT Prep test 2 weeks ago, I scored 500. Prior to the GMAT prep test, I scored 550 on the
Manhattan GMAT practice test. I have been studying for roughly 8 months. I have employed a tutor once a week (760 scorer) and he said that my deficiencies were not knowing algebra, calculation errors, and the inability to the process the information. I have done practice from the foundations of Math book offered by
Manhattan GMAT. I have been practicing, but I feel like I am hitting a wall. I have taken the
Manhattan GMAT course twice. I ordered the PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible and got half of the way through it. The same applies with the Sentence Correction booklet. At this point I feel frustration is kicking in, I am not really sure what to do from here. I do feel like giving up, but I have invested a lot of time and money into studying for the GMAT. For the quantitative part, I guess translating the data sufficiency questions, especially percents and percentages into algebra equations gave me a hard time. I have done
OG problems, but is there a particular strategy for doing the
OG problems. I feel like trying to figure out a problem for 30 minutes can be a waste of time.
During the test experience, I felt like I was burned out halfway through the Verbal and that I was running out of time. The last 4 or 5 questions were Critical Reasoning and I didn't have time to diagram the argument. It could be that reading the arguments on a computer screen and trying to rephrase them into my own words is a problem. I can pick out a conclusion and a premise 99% of the time. I just have a hard time seeing the relationship between the premise and the conclusion. When I look at the critical reasoning problems in the
OG, I seem to do better. Any advice that anyone could offer would be great. I am going to take a couple of days off and reset my brain. I realize that during my practice-- I would often watch a movie to turn off my brain. I think that eliminating movies from my life would be a smart decision. I just don't like dreaming about Math equations when I sleep. In addition, the Washington DC gives you the big headphones to put over your ears. If you want to run a lawn mower, these are the type of things that you would buy to block out the sound. For whatever reason, I felt like this may have created some pressure in my head ,which also bothered me. Has anyone had same experience with headphones-- the ones that cover your entire ears vs. earplugs?
Thanks again.
Oh About me: 30 yr old (Indian-American male) Graduated with liberal arts from a SUNY. Looking to get a Master's in Accounting.
Hello !
From what I can correlate with I think you're trying out too many things but not in a systematic way. Few months back I was in the same boat as you are right now but now I'm in a little better position. Few suggestions from side :
a.)You already know many of your weaknesses at present. Are you working on them or are you just banking on your strengths ?
b.)What is your target school and your target score. According to me your mock scores are quite low,and given that on the real GMAT day a +/- 50 points fluctuation can occur over your prep scores it is quite possible that you fall short of your expected scores.
c.)Though the quality of materials and help you are seeking from might be really good but I think in the end it is the assimilation of knowledge that really matters. With proper focus and concentration if you practice even 10 good questions you'll learn a lot than by practising 100ques with an unfocussed mind. If you didn't get an answer right look for the reasons for your failure. Check what concept is being tested by the question and where did you get it wrong. Sometimes it's worth even spending 30min over a ques. Trust me
d.)While it is frustrating when one gets low scores but do not takes some decisions in haste ; Like the one you mention about movies . It is important to have fun and relaxation while GMAT preparation. Even I'm working on it
e.) Last not but not the least. Take a good long break . Perhaps a week or so. Relax yourself and then start your preparation again. You will feel the difference a relaxed and focused mind can bring, and also don't jump in blindly to book gmat dates. Make sure that your practice gmat prep scores are well above your expected scores. Once you are consistent with the scores book the exam slot immediately and crack the exam .
All the best
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21 Jun 2014, 21:01
