Scored 720 on mocks but 650 on actual test

Question

Hi Everyone,

I attempted my first GMAT test today (test centre based) and scored 650 (V31, Q46) which was really disappointing as I had been scoring 710-730 on my mock tests. My verbal score on all my mock tests was V40 (except for Veritas which I found relatively tougher) but on actual test I scored 31. I am utterly shocked and have no idea how to prepare for my second attempt. I will really appreciate if anyone could help me. 
Also how long should I wait before retaking the exam? Is it okay to give online this time?

I havent cancelled my score yet. Should I cancel it or let it be?I am sorry for asking too many questions. I am a mess right now and this forum is all I got.

Below are my mock performances-

Veritas- 1 660 Q47 V34
 2 660 Q47 V34 
 3 680 Q49 V34
 
Jamboree 1. 730 Q 49,V 40

Gmat Official 1 &2 720 Q48,V40

Princeton- 720 Q48,V39

Thank you

EducationAisle · Answer

Give a couple of more official mock tests Garima. If you consistently score more than 700 in those as well, would suggest that you appear in the actual exam at the earliest opportunity; most probably, today was just a bad day/aberration. Don't worry and have a peaceful night's sleep. Things happen.

p.s. Many students have reported technical challenges in online exam. So, my preference is still the test center, if feasible. There is no harm in keeping today's score.

p.s. Many students have reported technical challenges in online exam. So, my preference is still the test center, if feasible. There is no harm in keeping today's score.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider getting the ESR to get a sense what happened during the exam. Working on your SA (solving approach) may also be helpful.

scored 650 (V31, Q46)

This short post also refers to someone who got a V31 on an official test but turned it around and got a V40 in about 30 days.

Solving Approach - Not just for Quant

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Garima999999999,

If you are unsure of what to do with your GMAT score, I think the safest move is to cancel it, and then, if you end up needing the score for any reason, just reinstate it.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Garima999999999,

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. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) Did you take any other CATs/mocks besides the ones that you listed? On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

Most Business Schools do not care if you take the GMAT more than once, so having more than one Official Score on your record is probably not a big deal. If you're that concerned though, then you should cancel this result (as you can always reinstate it later on if you want to).

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

MathRevolution · Answer

Hello Garima999999999,

Your current GMAT score is decent.

But, I fully understand your frustration because, with my GMAT tutoring, guidance, and counseling experience, we have to accept a fact with a pinch of salt that diagnostic/ mock test scores are above then what one should expect in a real test. There is often dropping in the score. Some students have even experienced a drop of 100 pointers. It is one of the realities, and your preparation should not sideline this fact.

A couple of things that can be a noticeable barrier to your scores would be some or all of the below.

• No expert support (maybe) who can tutor, analyze, and guide you during your learning especially on hard-level questions while stably hitting middle-level questions.
• Lack of many updated questions and practice in the recent exam trend
• Not well aligned with time to solve questions.

We would recommend you make a note of various possible combinations of your target score. The possible scores will help you track your performance after taking the mock or practice test. It will also help you maintain balance in both the sections, and you will always be in a great position to allot the study hours to a specific area accordingly.

You can try our free diagnostic test(Quant only) and receive a comprehensive study guide by topic. This test will clearly help you understand your weak areas.

You can schedule a Free counseling session for 20 mins with one of our experts:https://calendly.com/mathrevolution/1-on-1-session for detailed advice on your current study plans.

You must schedule your day smartly to revise the topics and also practice more questions. We would suggest you register with MathRevolution https://www.mathrevolution.com/member/signup to get access to our 7-days on-demand course for free trial lessons.

Since we are a math expert, we will recommend you go through our post on the GMAT club: Breakdown of GMAT math questions and types: https://gmatclub.com/forum/overview-of- ... l#p1641411

Regular tests will reflect the positive change in the score, and hence, your confidence will boost up. Gradually, with the help of mock tests, you will be able to compete with time and hence will be able to learn time management.

We appreciate your time and patience in reading this reply.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Success is within your reach.
Good luck!

Math Revolution Team

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Garima999999999,

Sorry about how things went with your GMAT. There could be a couple of reasons for the drop in the score. Please go through the article below to find out the probable reasons.

Scored well on mocks but failed miserably on the test?

Having said that, it would be too early to conclude anything without knowing the actual reason. To understand what could have led to the drop in the score and to suggest you the plan of action, I need a little more information about your GMAT preparation. I would like to know more about

the way you prepared till now (your study strategy) 
 your weak areas 
 your approach of solving questions 
 the resources you have used

Answers to these questions will help me guide you in a better way. And I personally suggest to go for the retake only after you prepared well and are 100% confident.

Having said that, I would like to have a one-on-one conversation with you. The discussion would be mostly around the answers to the above questions, the approximate time you have for the next attempt and the plan of action. If you have an ESR with you, that will be even more helpful to get the insights about your performance. You use use the link below to schedule a call with me.

Click here to schedule a call

Garima999999999 · Answer

Hi,Thank you for your reply. I got my ESR and realize my mistakes but I am still unable to understand why I got really low scores

I’d appreciate if you could share some resources which could help me achieve my target score. Thanks

Posted from my mobile device

Garima999999999 · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your reply

Below are the answers to your questions

1. I studied for 4 months , 20-30 hours a week
2. I used Jamboree study material and Veritas test series
3.I took Manhattan and Kalplan test as well and scored relatively similar marks as mentioned above
4. My goal score is 700+
5. My target colleges include London business school and HEC Paris (both of which require 700+)

I got my ESR today but I am unable to attach the link here. I’d really appreciate if I can somehow send it to you so that can review it and provide some insights. Thank you

Posted from my mobile device

Garima999999999 · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your reply

Below are the answers to your questions

1. I studied for 4 months , 20-30 hours a week
2. I used Jamboree study material and Veritas test series
3.I took Manhattan and Kalplan test as well and scored relatively similar marks as mentioned above
4. My goal score is 700+
5. My target colleges include London business school and HEC Paris (both of which require 700+)

I got my ESR today but I am unable to attach the link here. I’d really appreciate if I can somehow send it to you so that can review it and provide some insights. Thank you

Hi Garima999999999,

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Garima999999999,

I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

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

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

Hi Garima,

If you're scoring 700+ on mocks, your problem isn't concepts. It's Test Taking Skills.

The problem when you have drop in score on Test Day is figuring out WHY? The ESR tells you WHAT went wrong (Q vs V, DS vs PS in quant, SC vs CR vs RC in verbal), but it doesn't help you to figure why things went wrong. It's the problem that all our clients have and it's the same problem you're having too.

We offer a FREE diagnostic Testing Simulation session -- live in a practice test with a GMAT performance coach. It's highly interactive and we'll figure out your gaps -- exactly what's happening on Test Day. Then we'll figure out a plan for you overcome those Test Taking Skill gaps.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi Garima999999999, I think you have already scheduled a call with us for today. See you

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Scored 720 on mocks but 650 on actual test

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