Should I reschedule the date?

Question

I am really tensed.I mean i need 700+ for my target schools and in the tests i am getting stuck at 650.Should i reschedule or should i go ahead with the test.My test is on 25th May

MGMAT1 - 640 (Q47,V31)
MGMAT2 - 640 (Q41,V37)
GMAT PREP2.0 - 650 (Q49,V31)

I though i have improved,but the results are so disappointing.Please guide me.Need replies soon.test is only 10 days away (So still have a chance to reschedule)

bb · Answer

Probably... there is a very small chance of you actually getting a 700 with those practice scores.

I would reschedule for a later point in time. Probably a month from now (at least) or perhaps 1.5 months? Depends on how long it took you to improve to 650.

You may also want to pick up a book called GMAT Roadmap from MGMAT - it is full of very useful pieces about the GMAT and how to study for it most effectively.

chetanmohanty · Answer

I am very disappointed bb..
I mean i worked so hard for the past 3 months and these results are making me so disappointed.
I gave the 1st GMAT diagnostic and scored 550
Then 1 month back i gave MGMAT1 and scored the 640.So i thought i could really improve after 1 month.But when i started giving the exams since last 3 days,these are the results
May be i should have started taking these practice tests before to gauge,where i stand.
May be its too late.Only rescheduling is the way i see to reach my target of 700+.
I will get hold of that book you suggested.Other than that any other resources??

Also if i reschedule the test,i need to attend the IR section. I am so unprepared for that.

I feel like i am in the crisis of my life.

chetanmohanty · Answer

Am i doing something wrong by pushing the date to August

2.5 months. Is it sufficient for the push from 650 to 700+

BM · Answer

I would go ahead and reschedule.

If you firmly believe that you can sustain a consistent study plan for 2.5 months, then it's an option. However, there are two pitfalls: (1) GMAT fatigue and (2) complacency. The first problem is fairly straightforward, as studying too much for too long will cause anyone to burnout eventually. The second issue is the attitude that you have "so much" time to reach your target score and can afford a break "here and there." You need to be aware of both of these problems.

chetanmohanty · Answer

Thanks so very much.I rescheduled it and i am pretty sure complacency wont hurt me,but GMAT fatigue is something i should handle..But donno how to do that yet.. First time in my life i have accepted a fault in myself.If this had been 2 years back , i would have surely gone ahead with the test hoping that some miracle will land take to 700

I hope all this hard work shows some fruit.Thanks a lot again. Nice debrief BTW

Zynga · Answer

chetanmohanty, 
I am in the exact same situation as you.I am scoring in the 650 range and have an exam scheduled for June 2. I am aiming for 700+
I am going to give one more prep test this weekend and based on the score finally decide whether or not I want to re-schedule.
However I seriously fear the GMAT fatigue and am worried about IR in case I decide to reschedule
 what was the final push that made you re-schedule ?

chetanmohanty · Answer

Hi "Zynga", to tell the truth i became so nervous the night i scored my last 650 on gmat prep,that i gave another exam (MGMAT) from 12.30 am to 4 am in the morning and scored a 650 again..yes i am a weirdo !!!!

( I wanted to stimulate a very very bad environment for test taking) But jokes apart,i have realized that on a very very very bad day on the GMAT,i will still score between 650-670

I took this decision to reschedule , to train myself to a level so that even if the testing conditions are pathetic or even if i become super anxious ,my score will come down to a max 700 and not less than that.. Bottomline: I am not gonna accept anything below 700 !! Now i am gonna train myself in such a way i consistently get 700+ in almost all my exams. This plunge from 650-700 is really important.If we both can cross this 50 points gap,we surely can reach even 730-750

Zynga · Answer

Are you planning to apply to bschools this year ?...either way giving the test in August should give you plenty of time for R2 or maybe even R1 if you have your essays roughed in.

chetanmohanty · Answer

Yaa am planning to apply this year.Yaa and R1 is my target,but if i dont feel by essays are perfect by that time,i wont rush in..never..

JhansiM · Answer

Hello ChetanMohanty and Zynga , 
I guess there lots of people travelling in the same boat. My plan too was to wrap up before IR , but got stuck at 640.Hence postponed to July Mid.However Quant is my weak area and I am looking for inputs to improve on that.

Pls share information on how are you planning your Prep during this 1.5/2 months time you have now .
May be we can benefit from each others ideas.
Thanks
Jhansi

chetanmohanty · Answer

Hmm well said. But my main problem is timing.Yes i cant say that i am perfect at both the sections,but in my case my timing takes a toll on me.I mean i get all the 15-16 consecutive questions right in both sections..then when i realize in the middle that i am running short..i get scared and start making silly mistakes.Worse i keep looking at the timer than at the questions

Here is what i am going to do:- i)Take 1 week break now and read some debriefs and how-tos on how to manage time ii) Start with the prep by working on all the OG questions and all other set of all GMAT latest questions i have collected. iii) Reach "HULK" like status in solving Number properties questions(specially DS). iv) Will aim at reviewing 10 questions each from OG a day( why wrong,why right kind of stuff).And yes use OG Archer Lite from Manhattan GMAT for timing and to find about my weaknesses. v)Will stat taking tests every saturday.And spend the day in review. vi)I have a target to consistently score 700+ from July onwards.

JhansiM · Answer

Yes , May be a break is mandatory at this point to not get hit by the GMAT fatigue.

1.But , What all have u collected as a part of "GMAT latest questions i have collected " ? As i Mentioned I am weak on Quant scores have been 42-45 so far. Need to bump them up to 49-50 and want to work on it now before anything else.I have been through OG and Quant Review . Wht do you think is the best materials i should start with at this point of time ? I am planning to start with 1000 PS DS , but not sure that would help me increase my quant scores.

2.I did hear about OG Archer Lite from Manhattan GMAT , but have not used it. May be i will try it out today.

3."solving Number properties questions(specially DS)." What resources do u refer to for this practice ?

Yes , One Test per week in mandatory through out the prep time !

chetanmohanty · Answer

42-45 in GMAT prep or MGMAT tests?MGMAT quants are tough..so no need to feel tensed.
BTW i collected all these questions from gmatclub downloads section.

And for Number properties(I am gonna read RD Sharma,a book by an indian author which is very good for the Indian CAT).I have read MGMAT Number properties twice.But i need to practice..and a lot..so RD Sharma will be a good start.
I have some other resources too,but donno whether i am allowed to share here.

Hey can you tell me how are you gonna tackle RC??

JhansiM · Answer

Thanks for the pointer.
Yes , They r my Q Scores on MGMAT.I just googled for RD Sharma..Are u referring to a text book used for 10-12 standards or any other dedicated book for Numbers ? I have been through Manhattan Number Properties , I need to go through that again to get the concepts registered.

During the course of prep , my verbal scores have improved pretty well compared to Math scores and for RCs , I have just practiced OG and Kaplan. I do see a lot of scope for improvement on Verbal too .But idea is to fit every RC to a specific pattern and deal than reading through it on the whole.I havent practiced a lot but i have been suggested to start identifying patterns and work on them accordingly.I will share more details if you need.

chetanmohanty · Answer

Yaa the RD Sharma book.Are you an indian?If yes you can get that book from any local shop
And please do share your RC strategy.I never knew that there is a strategy for pattern recognition in RC.Please explain or if possible any pointers

Zynga · Answer

Yeah, patten recognition for RC ?Never heard of that one before.

Btw, I would like to add that I do all my OG problem solving timed.Using a timer has helped me identify what problems take me longer.It has definitely helped me improve my speed in Quant.

JhansiM · Answer

Chetan / Zynga

Yes , I have suggested this approach for RC by a frnd of mine , who is himself an instructor at Princeton Review Institute. I have nt practiced much , but ya let me get back to you ppl once i get things more clearer.I am planning to visit my frnd on tuesday for RCs. I will share complete information once i get clarified.

Solving OG problems using Timer ? The one this online or u just keep time limits manually ?
I was just looking for some DS Resources as my strike rate is pretty low on that front . Wht resources do you think i should pickup ?

Just wanted to ask one more thing , when are you ppl planning to start on IR prep ? and how ?

Thanks
Jhansi

Zynga · Answer

I usually use the stopwatch on my phone as the timer

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