Scored 700+ in GmatPrep tests, ended up with mere 480

It would be interesting to hear more about what happened on test day. How much did your practice test scores very? Big swings up and down suggest a gap in knowledge ( performing much better on tests when they don't get many questions on topics where there is a gap in knowledge). I've also heard people doing much worse on verbal if they are basically just guessing on SC. It is much better to have a methodical process. Also some people have a strategy going in that they are going to use and panic during the test and abandon the strategy because of the pressure of test day. And to some extent you just need to execute. There is big difference between going through the problems at home and executing on exam day under intense pressure.

I personally think the best resources are GMAT Quantum for quant and e-gmat for verbal. Along with of course GMATPrep tests and practice questions. Some people need to talk to someone about test anxiety. Good Luck!

Hey gmathopeful25,


I completely agree to the point that you've made in your post.

"There is big difference between going through the problems at home and executing on exam day under intense pressure."

On test day... Essay and IR were breeze.
During the first 12 questions, I've kept the clock hidden. And when I unhide the clock....boom I had only 32 minutes left for remaining 25 questions. This made me uneasy. My hands started trembling and i lost my concentration for the entire test.

Negative thoughts surrounded my mind.
Although I was able to solve every quant question in under 2 minutes during my mocks, I was not able to do the same during my test.


Staying Calm, confident and 100% concentration are the key factors.

I will work on that and hopefully will nail the test in my second attempt.

Thanks for your reply gmathopeful25.

If you scored over 700 in your practice exams, it's clear that you know the materials. Perhaps it's your test taking skills on which you should focus.

How are you with your timing? How about your relaxation? Knowing the problem will help us get to the bottom of this!

Regards,

Elizabeth

Hi BethEconomistGMAT,

First of all, thanks for your reply.

I completely agree with you.
I am familiar with the basics and material.

I need to work on my test taking strategies and timings.

I know that first 10-12 questions are important and this made me spend way too much time on them.
And when i saw the remaining time... my anxiety went to cloud 9.

I am working on that.. I will post my progress report in a month or so...