Stuck at 550 even after 3 months full time study

Question

Hello everyone, I deeply value any assistance, both emotionally and with the study material, as I find myself in a state of desperation and stress. I've lost all motivation, and thoughts of giving up are taking a toll on my well-being. All my mock scores have been in the range of 540 to 550.

Studying: I left my job in May 2023 and came back to my parents house to study for GMAT as my deadline for ISB is on 31st August 2023. so i have given a lot of time studying, approx 5 to 6 hours everyday for the past 3 months. I started preparing for the test from May 26th 2023, as I signed up for a coaching institute, one on one tutor (unfortunately my teachers have been horrible, they hardly solve my doubts or even help me understand where i am going wrong, ive already wasted a lot of money on them sadly). So from 26th May to 20th June i studied basics with them, they taught me all topics and formulas. After that i tried taking a non adaptive mock by experts global and to my devastation scores a mere 510. I reviewed my weaknesses in quant and picked up the practice material given by the coaching institute, Did that until 10th July (nearly 1 month). Took my 1st official CAT Test by mba,com, scored 550 , again extremely devastated. Then from 15th July picked up OG. I am 80% done with quant (ps and ds) from the og and 60% done with verbal sc and rc. Took my 2nd official CAT today. scored a 550 again. Lost all hope. I feel ive wasted my 3 months doing nothing

Here is the breakup of the og mocks 550 37Q, 30V 550 36Q, 28V My goal is 700. By now I was extremely stressed out, sick and tired of the exam. I've come to a point where I can’t concentrate anymore. 550 twice. This was my score... I have just at max 15 days more to prepare before my deadline and I know i cant improve my score much in such a short time so ive given up on my ISB YLP* dream . The weird thing is that every time I review the test, check all the answers, read explanations, everything always seems clear to me. I’m thinking in the right direction, but then something happens and I pick the wrong answer. Or I miss a detail, feel time pressured etc. Clearly something (everything) is wrong with my preparation and i dont know what to do anymore, ive practiced and reviewed a lot. Please share any advice on possible methods how to improve my score. I had left my job for this. My work resumes from 25th august 2023, and i feel, if i couldn't improve when i was just focusing on studying, how will i improve when i start working alongside? (* ISB YLP - young leaders program for the people in their last year of college, i had enrolled in it while i was in college, cleared round 1 and for r2 they need a gmat score ) Please help. Thanks in advance!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider using question/time markers for time management. May help improve your pacing so you don't feel rushed during the last quarter of any section, for example. Reading success stories on the Share GMAT Experience to see what others have done/used to improve their score could also be helpful.

Time management - Time currency

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi harshitas,

I'm sorry to hear how things have been going with your GMAT. I do urge you to be patient and understand that 3 months is not a ton of GMAT study time. That said, you may need to make some adjustments to how you have been studying, so I have a great article you can check out:

The Best Way to Study for the GMAT

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi harshitas,

Many GMATers find at least some part of the Exam to be challenging - so you are not alone. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. Unfortunately, from a statistical standpoint, raising a 550 to the point that you can consistently score 700+ will likely require that you commit to at least another 3 months of consistent, guided study - and you'll have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. That would obviously put you well past the current deadline that you have set for yourself - and while it's understandable that you would be unhappy about that, you should not lose sight of the REAL Goal (to get into ISB). If you ultimately "need" a 700+ to receive an invite, then you have to give yourself enough time to achieve that goal (and commit to learning all of the necessary Quant and Verbal skills).

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) What specific study materials have you used so far?
2) What is the minimum Score that you would apply with - and what is the specific deadline to submit your Score for ISB YLP?
3) Are you interested in any additional Programs besides ISB?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

EducationAisle · Answer

I am sorry, but this is really a very very bad strategy. You would have applied to YLP Stage-1 latest in October last year, but you waited till May end this year, to start your GMAT preparation. Seriously why? 7 months wasted.

Unfortunately, you are not the only one. Every year, we get YLP Stage-2 candidates who start preparing for GMAT just a couple of months before the deadline, but by then, it is generally too late.

I always suggest YLP candidates to start preparing for GMAT, the day they submit their Stage-1 application.

Anyway, I would suggest that you don't stress yourself out, leave YLP, rejoin a job, join a good prep institute (since your last one apparently didn't deliver), and apply to EEO next year. No harm done, nothing lost.

p.s. Looks like you have a lot of catching up to do, on Quant front.

harshitas · Answer

EducationAisle 
Thank you for your reply, Just to correct you on the application date part, I applied for the YLP in the second session, that is Mid April 2023. And got my mail regarding passing R1 on 12th May. And hence immediately started preparing just within a week as you can gauge from my post, so I surely did not waste any time.

Yes I will apply for the EEO Next year. I do have a job which will re start mid august. 
as far as joining a prep institute, I don't know which ones i can trust anymore. After losing out 80,000 + I am quite skeptical about the companies. You have any suggestion for the same?

harshitas · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC
Thank you For your kind works. Yes Going from 550 to 700 seems impossible to me, atleast as of now, seeing how i've made no progress even after studying for hours.

1) What specific study materials have you used so far?
OG latest version practice qs for both quant and verbal. Have done quant from coaching institute material (those were higher level questions). And did 3 non adaptive tests from global experts (obviously reviewed each q too).

2) What is the minimum Score that you would apply with - and what is the specific deadline to submit your Score for ISB YLP?
There is no minimum score that they have told us but after research , they 99% of the time accept people who have above 690 at minimum. The ISB YLP deadline is 31st august 2023. I got my round 1 selection mail on 12th May 2023 and immediately started preparing for gmat.

3) Are you interested in any additional Programs besides ISB?
So i know i cant meet my 31st august 2023 deadline for the YLP program, so my next goal will be to apply after 2 years to ISB after getting work ex. Apart from ISB, i dont have a list as such but i was eyeing University of Toronto, University of British Colombia and maybe some universities in the USA.

To give a background, I've just finished my undergrad 2 months ago, I am 21 years old. My immediate plan is to get back to the job i was in, and side by side prepare for GMAT. My only issue is, I dont know how to proceed, Ive practiced the whole OG yet cant seem to get better.

Any suggestions would be valuable. Thank you

EducationAisle · Answer

ok, but as I did mention in my last post, applicants should start preparing for GMAT the day they apply for YLP, rather than waiting for the shortlisting to be announced before starting the prep. 80k

! Actually I think now that you have time (for EEO next year), you should target the GMAT focus edition. In the meantime, you can continue working on your Quant skills, since Quant is largely unchanged in the Focus edition.

EducationAisle · Answer

Just noticed this. Hope you are aware that EEO is for candidates with  less  than 2 years of work-ex.

harshitas · Answer

EducationAisle Yes i am aware of that. What i meant to say was, I will obviously apply for the early bird round but incase that doesnt work, i am also mentally prepared to apply later

harshitas · Answer

EducationAisle The 10 days in between were spent on finding a good coaching institute and gathering information on the GMAT (now thats a different sad story how the coaching institute was bad ) But what i mean is, i surely did not waste any time, i was either talking to my friends who did gmat earlier, giving trial diagnostic tests online or finding the best program for me. Yes

80k, Do feel guilty about that but whats done is done. you are right i will focus on the EEO for now. And yes, i will look into the focus edition. You have any study plan in mind that i can follow? as i dont know where i am going wrong. Also where can i find the best sectional tests? Eg i study number system and want to practice qs related to JUST number system. Thanks a lot for the help

EducationAisle · Answer

Not sure if you've had a chance to look at GRE as an alternative. From what I know, Quant on GRE is  easier  than on GMAT.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi harshitas,

Applying to School a little further out in the timeline could be quite beneficial (as it will give you time to craft a strong overall application). To that end, 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 (and the more time that you have to act on that advice, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

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

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

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

Stuck at 550 even after 3 months full time study

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