Strategies for retaking the GMAT?

Question

Hi folks, hope everyone is safe and well.

I retook my GMAT exam yesterday and unfortunately scored a 690 (QA 50, VA 34) again. In my 1st attempt, I had scored 690 (QA 44, VA 40). Since in my 1st attempt I scored well in Verbal, before my 2nd attempt, I focused a lot on improving Quant, and thanks to GMAT Club mocks, I was able to do so. However, I did keep practicing Verbal as well, and I was scoring well in the Mocks that I took.

I have been on this journey for 7 months now, and while I know I can score more, not sure where to go from here. I think maybe it would be more about building test-taking stamina now as I did get a bit nervous when I started taking the verbal section and was a bit short on time towards the end of the verbal section.

Would be grateful for suggestions on how to navigate my way out of this hurdle. I would like to maybe try mocks for verbal similar to the ones offered by GMAT Club for QA, and also overall GMAT mocks (have already utilized all official and veritas prep mocks).

I do hope to retake the exam in 3 weeks.

Thank you in advance!

dranfoz · Answer

Congratulations on the quant improvement! It’s very significant and you should not take it for granted.

The way I see it is, you have literally proven that you can get to Q50 and V40. That would be around 730 I think in the test. That’s a lot.

What I would do if I were you is retake in 6 weeks or so and focus 60% on test taking (mocks) to prepare for the experience, anxiety, etc, 10% on reinforcing the technics and areas that allowed you to improve in quant and 30% on your weak areas in verbal. Something like that.

It seems to me like preparing mentally would be very important for you. Maybe you could do sports, eat healthy, do mindfulness, and practice some pre visualization techniques.

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globaldesi · Answer

3 weeks is tough time to measure your score improvements. 
Measure your verbal areas by using mocks and practise tests. Practise mostly 600-700 and 700+ questions. Also make sure you focus on sections individually such as you accuracy in comparisons vs in pronouns.
This really helped me understand my weak areas

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Appears to be a lot of fluctuation in your section scores. One thing that may be worth checking out is the section order you choose.

TPap9 · Answer

ieosorio

Thank you so much for your advice! Yes, I think it would make sense to focus more on test-taking, and additionally, to spend rest of the time on strengthening my weak areas..

Exercising and meditating perhaps might be required at this point!

TPap9 · Answer

globaldesi

Thank you for the advice! Yes, actually did spend a lot of time on solving 700+ questions but I guess yes, it might be beneficial to find those weak areas..Will do more of that this time around!

TPap9 · Answer

gmatknightDOTcom

Thank you for replying! When I was reflecting earlier today, I did think of that but the thing is I started with Verbal in both my attempts and it didn't seem to affect my performance at least in verbal the first time around. Plus I have practiced all the mocks in that order (VA, QA, IR, AWA) so not sure how feasible it would be to change that now.

But do let me know if you think it has helped others.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi TPap9,

First off, a 690/Q50 is a fantastic Score, so you can comfortably apply to any Business Schools that interest you. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, 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/

There's certainly no harm in continuing to study, but 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:

Studies:
1) How long did you study before each attempt? Over the last 2 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? 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)?

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 2nd 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.

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

TPap9 · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC ,

Thank you for responding! Firstly, wanted to thank you for all your posts on GMAT club, they have certainly helped me in my GMAT journey.

Will certainly speak to some admission experts but I think for the schools that I'm aiming for I would need a score of over 720.

Responding to your questions below:

Studies:
1) How long did you study before each attempt? Over the last 2 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?  (I studied for 4 months before my first attempt and 2 months before my 2nd attempt) 
2) What study materials have you used over the course of ALL of your studies? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?  (I have mostly focused on official questions using a file that had over 1500 verbal and 1500 quant questions. I used GMAT prep and veritas prep mocks.) 
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)?  
GMAT Prep 2: May 6th, 720, QA 50, VA 38
GMAT Prep 3: April 26th, 720, QA 48, VA 41
GMAT Prep 4: May 14th, 760, QA 50, VA 44
GMAT Prep 5: April 10th, 740, QA 48, VA 44
GMAT Prep 6: April 17th, 700, QA 49, VA 36
Veritas Prep 1: May 25th, 750, QA 50, VA 43
Veritas Prep 2: May 27th, 730, QA 50, VA 40

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?  730+ (QA 50, VA 40) 
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?  In the 1st (or max 2nd) round this year. Do not have a defined list yet but most probably Kellogg, Booth, Wharton, Duke.

I took the GMAT online so unfortunately do not have the ESR but would be grateful for your advice on the best way forward.

Thank you!

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