Should I schedule my test 10 days from today?

Question

Hey everyone!

I would like to schedule my GMAT for the 25/26th August but unsure if I should do so.

Mocks:
GMAT prep 1: 690 (Q46 V39)
GMAT prep 2: 680 (Q44 V39)
SigmaX 1 e-gmat: 700 (Q45 V40)

I have struggled with verbal for the longest time, but fortunately after months and months of studying and practise I have been able to increase my score from an initial 32 to 39/40. Unfortunately, my Quant seems to have taken a hit. I plan to spend the next 7 days focusing on quant as well as take another 7-8 mocks.

Is it a good idea to go ahead and book my exam for the 25th/26th (10 days from now)? My target score is 740-750 and I have a full time job from which i cannot take more than 10 days off. The reason I would like to book sooner rather than later is because I am worried that the slots might run out/I will miss out on applying for round 1.

Please advice! Thanks in advance.

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

First off, do not take 7 practice exams in 7 days. That will not be helpful. Second, given that your latest GMAT prep practice exam score is 680, you'll need more time to improve to your target score of 740. If you truly need a 740 to apply to your desired schools, then first focus on getting your GMAT score rather than rushing the test just to make round one deadlines. If you need any additional advice, feel free to reach out.

srr24 · Answer

Hey Scott! Thanks so much. My plan is to take a mock every alternate day and do “corrective” practise on the other alternate days. Would that not be beneficial? Could you advice on what would be a better approach/plan?

Secondly, at what stage should I book the exam? Is it when I am scoring consistently well in the GMAT prep mocks?

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shivr,

A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically should not take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. Taking 7 CATs in 2 weeks is NOT a good idea; beyond likely 'burning out' before Test Day, you would almost certainly end up 'wasting' a bunch of CATs/mocks that could be quite useful if better 'spread out.'

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) 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)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

srr24 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thank you for the detailed response.

1) I have been studying for close to 4 months, on and off. But I’ve been aggressively at it for the past month now. I study 2 hours a day, but I’ve taken some time off from work to make my final push. Hence, I am able to spend 6-7 hours daily. I have 10 full days left and hence was aiming to write the exam on the 26th (in the hopes that mu score will improve as well).

2) I have used the Official Guides and the e-GMAT online course. I have also gone through the Manhattan guides.

3) Mocks:
5 Aug GMAT prep 1: 690 (Q46 V39)
8 Aug GMAT prep 2: 680 (Q44 V39)
13 Aug SigmaX 1 e-gmat: 700 (Q45 V40)

4) I was hoping to apply in Round 1. But since I don’t have my desired GMAT score yet, I might have to target round 2. That being said, I do want to consider applying to schools that have deadlines in October if I am able to score well. My target schools are Colombia, Stern, Kellogg, Darden, Duke and the likes. 
I have 5 years of work ex as a financial research analyst at a hedge fund and I already have a GMAT score of 670 (taken in Dec2019).

- shivr

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shivr,

Since you are interested in some highly-competitive Schools, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement. There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

Going forward, you have to be careful about confusing "quantity" of study with "quality" of study. I've never asked anyone to study 30+ hours a week - and while it's great that you might have the available time to study that much over the next 10 days, with that number of study hours, you would run the risk of 'burning out' before Test Day (and that is something that we want to avoid). If you are going to try to study that much, then I suggest that you take one hour "off" for every two hours of study. For example, you could study for 2 hours, then stop for an hour, then study for another 2 hours, then take an hour off, etc.

1) What is the minimum Score that you would apply with?
2) What were the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for your prior Official 670 (from back in 2019)?

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

srr24 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thank you for your response once again. I shall definitely keep this in mind for the next 10 days. I struggle with studying for more than 2 hours at a stretch anyway, but i will ensure to study in blocks of 2 hours to avoid burn out.

I have been connecting with a few admissions consultants who mentioned that i have a good background/profile for these schools but the GMAT score is the only thing pulling my chances down. They suggested getting my score up to a 740, and apply in round 2. But I would still like to try my best and apply to Columbia, Darden, Tuck and Sloan which have deadlines towards the end of Sept/early October.

I scored a Q49 and V33 (670) when i took the exam in Dec 2019.

- shivr

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shivr,

If you do not want to apply until you have a 740, then that's fine - but at this point, you will likely need more than just another 10 days of study time to get to the point that you can consistently score at that higher level. There's certainly no harm in taking the GMAT on August 26th, but if you're ultimately 'open' to applying during Round 2, then you could potentially save some time, money and frustration by simply pushing back that Test Date.

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

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

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