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zerotoone
Joined: 06 Jun 2018
Last visit: 23 Nov 2022
Posts: 115
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Given Kudos: 19
Location: India
Schools: Darden '23 (D) Haas '23 (D) Fuqua '23 (D) Tuck '23 (D) Tepper '23 (D) Johnson'23 (D) IMD Jan'23 intake (A)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
GPA: 3.01
Schools: Darden '23 (D) Haas '23 (D) Fuqua '23 (D) Tuck '23 (D) Tepper '23 (D) Johnson'23 (D) IMD Jan'23 intake (A)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
Posts: 115
Kudos:
19
19 Aug 2019, 03:08
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Greetings,
I have appeared for the GMAT four times so far and following are my official scores:
First Attempt - Aug'16: 590 (Q49 V22 - couldn't complete the verbal section) Cancelled score
Second Attempt - Aug'18: 660 (Q49 V31 IR8 AWA-4)
Third Attempt - Dec'18: 640 (Q46 V33 IR6 AWA-NA - couldn't complete the quant section as I over spent time during the break - I was having fever) Cancelled score
Fourth Attempt - Aug'19: 660 (Q47 V34 IR5 AWA-not rated yet)
Following has been my preparation strategy:
For the first attempt I prepared only through OG'16. Following my mock scores:
GMAT Exam Prep CD test 1: 650 (Q49 V31)
I had to undergo job change and had to delay the GMAT preparation.
For attempt 2, I studied the Manhattan guides for verbal and OG+Gmatclub questions for Quant. Following were my mock scores:
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 1: 650 (Q49 V31)
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 2: 710 (Q50 V35)
For attempt 3, I re-studied the Manhattan guides for verbal. My goal was to improve my score to V35. But unfortunately I fell sick on the test date and lost some time on the Quant section bringing down my quant score. Also, my verbal score did not appreciate that much which was surprising.
For attempt 4, I studied the Egmat verbal online guides and stuck to official questions from OG'20, Verbal'17 and Quant'17 guides. Also used timed practice sets on the Wiley app focusing on Medium and Hard questions. I was solving timed sets of 10 questions each of SC, RC, CR, trying to solve them in 18 minutes each. I was able to achieve 100% accuracy in RC and SC and 80% accuracy in CR. I thoroughly studied the wrong questions. I was also re-attempting the wrong questions before looking at the solutions and was able to solve them correctly with 100% accuracy. I dedicated almost 100 hours of preparation across 45 days prior to the 4th attempt. During the last week of preparation I gave 2 mock tests and got the following scores:
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 1 Reset: 680 (Q46, V38)
This was a big shocker to me as I was not able to maintain my Quant score at 49 and hence tried to troubleshoot by revising concepts from OG'20, and practicing more of quant questions for the next 4 days.
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 3: 700 (Q49, V35)
With this score, I felt confident that I should be able to maintain my quant score at 49 and that I have significantly improved my verbal ability and should be able to score between V35 and V38. My target score was 700-710 in the actual exam.
However, on the day of the exam, as I reached question 16 in the verbal section, I had already realized at the back of my mind that the first 15 questions were not answered as expected and that the score was going to be a bit less. I did not manage time well and had only 16 mins to answer the final 16 questions and thus ended up guessing 4 questions including one entire RC.
In the quant section, however, as I solved the questions there was same level of satisfaction and hence was expecting the score to be maintained at Q49. But ended up getting a Q47. As expected verbal was V34, a bit lower than V35 that I was expecting. Felt extremely frustrated when the screen showed a 660 again.
Overall, I felt that actual GMAT in my fourth attempt was a bit tougher than the GMAT Exam Prep Online mock tests and also tougher than previous attempts.
Now, I have only a month left for R1 applications to most of the top 50 FT ranked b-schools. I am also interested in applying to top 10 MS in Business Analytics courses in US. All of these courses require 700+ GMAT scores as suggested by various admission consultants irrespective of my profile, since I am an Indian male. Thus, I have only a month's time to re-attempt the GMAT. From my official scores, it looks like a Q49 and V35 with overall score of 700 should be achievable for me. This score would give me 11% jump in the overall percentile.
I have a pretty hectic work life. Moreover, I also need to prepare applications for b-schools. I would have very little time left for GMAT preparation. It would be really helpful to understand what should I do more to achieve this score in such a short time.
Please also suggest if you feel that there is no point in re-attempting the test.
I have appeared for the GMAT four times so far and following are my official scores:
First Attempt - Aug'16: 590 (Q49 V22 - couldn't complete the verbal section) Cancelled score
Second Attempt - Aug'18: 660 (Q49 V31 IR8 AWA-4)
Third Attempt - Dec'18: 640 (Q46 V33 IR6 AWA-NA - couldn't complete the quant section as I over spent time during the break - I was having fever) Cancelled score
Fourth Attempt - Aug'19: 660 (Q47 V34 IR5 AWA-not rated yet)
Following has been my preparation strategy:
For the first attempt I prepared only through OG'16. Following my mock scores:
GMAT Exam Prep CD test 1: 650 (Q49 V31)
I had to undergo job change and had to delay the GMAT preparation.
For attempt 2, I studied the Manhattan guides for verbal and OG+Gmatclub questions for Quant. Following were my mock scores:
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 1: 650 (Q49 V31)
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 2: 710 (Q50 V35)
For attempt 3, I re-studied the Manhattan guides for verbal. My goal was to improve my score to V35. But unfortunately I fell sick on the test date and lost some time on the Quant section bringing down my quant score. Also, my verbal score did not appreciate that much which was surprising.
For attempt 4, I studied the Egmat verbal online guides and stuck to official questions from OG'20, Verbal'17 and Quant'17 guides. Also used timed practice sets on the Wiley app focusing on Medium and Hard questions. I was solving timed sets of 10 questions each of SC, RC, CR, trying to solve them in 18 minutes each. I was able to achieve 100% accuracy in RC and SC and 80% accuracy in CR. I thoroughly studied the wrong questions. I was also re-attempting the wrong questions before looking at the solutions and was able to solve them correctly with 100% accuracy. I dedicated almost 100 hours of preparation across 45 days prior to the 4th attempt. During the last week of preparation I gave 2 mock tests and got the following scores:
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 1 Reset: 680 (Q46, V38)
This was a big shocker to me as I was not able to maintain my Quant score at 49 and hence tried to troubleshoot by revising concepts from OG'20, and practicing more of quant questions for the next 4 days.
GMAT Exam Prep Online Mock 3: 700 (Q49, V35)
With this score, I felt confident that I should be able to maintain my quant score at 49 and that I have significantly improved my verbal ability and should be able to score between V35 and V38. My target score was 700-710 in the actual exam.
However, on the day of the exam, as I reached question 16 in the verbal section, I had already realized at the back of my mind that the first 15 questions were not answered as expected and that the score was going to be a bit less. I did not manage time well and had only 16 mins to answer the final 16 questions and thus ended up guessing 4 questions including one entire RC.
In the quant section, however, as I solved the questions there was same level of satisfaction and hence was expecting the score to be maintained at Q49. But ended up getting a Q47. As expected verbal was V34, a bit lower than V35 that I was expecting. Felt extremely frustrated when the screen showed a 660 again.
Overall, I felt that actual GMAT in my fourth attempt was a bit tougher than the GMAT Exam Prep Online mock tests and also tougher than previous attempts.
Now, I have only a month left for R1 applications to most of the top 50 FT ranked b-schools. I am also interested in applying to top 10 MS in Business Analytics courses in US. All of these courses require 700+ GMAT scores as suggested by various admission consultants irrespective of my profile, since I am an Indian male. Thus, I have only a month's time to re-attempt the GMAT. From my official scores, it looks like a Q49 and V35 with overall score of 700 should be achievable for me. This score would give me 11% jump in the overall percentile.
I have a pretty hectic work life. Moreover, I also need to prepare applications for b-schools. I would have very little time left for GMAT preparation. It would be really helpful to understand what should I do more to achieve this score in such a short time.
Please also suggest if you feel that there is no point in re-attempting the test.
19 Aug 2019, 20:47
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi zerotoone,
First off, a 660/Q49 is a strong score, so it could be enough to get you into some of the Top 50 Schools. As such, a retest might not be necessary. That having been said, you're closer to a 700+ than you probably realize. However, GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, most of your CAT score results - along with your last 3 Official GMAT Scores - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 670 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.
Aside from potentially retaking the GMAT, your plan should NOT be to apply to 'most' of the Top 50 Schools. The process of applying to (and ultimately attending) Business School will require a big investment of time, money and energy on your part, so you really should make sure that the Programs that you apply to match your career goals/needs - and it's not clear if you've actually done that research. In addition, there's NO benefit to rushing in your applications for Round 1 unless your applications are amazing. From what you describe, you have not started that process yet - so between putting the proper time and effort into your applications, continuing to study for the GMAT and all of the other aspects of your life (job, etc.), you might want to consider the Round 2 application deadlines. This will give you a lot more time to work on everything and potentially score a lot higher on the GMAT.
Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) After you took your 3rd GMAT, on what 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)?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
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
First off, a 660/Q49 is a strong score, so it could be enough to get you into some of the Top 50 Schools. As such, a retest might not be necessary. That having been said, you're closer to a 700+ than you probably realize. However, GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, most of your CAT score results - along with your last 3 Official GMAT Scores - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 670 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.
Aside from potentially retaking the GMAT, your plan should NOT be to apply to 'most' of the Top 50 Schools. The process of applying to (and ultimately attending) Business School will require a big investment of time, money and energy on your part, so you really should make sure that the Programs that you apply to match your career goals/needs - and it's not clear if you've actually done that research. In addition, there's NO benefit to rushing in your applications for Round 1 unless your applications are amazing. From what you describe, you have not started that process yet - so between putting the proper time and effort into your applications, continuing to study for the GMAT and all of the other aspects of your life (job, etc.), you might want to consider the Round 2 application deadlines. This will give you a lot more time to work on everything and potentially score a lot higher on the GMAT.
Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) After you took your 3rd GMAT, on what 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)?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
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
zerotoone
Joined: 06 Jun 2018
Last visit: 23 Nov 2022
Posts: 115
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 19
Location: India
Schools: Darden '23 (D) Haas '23 (D) Fuqua '23 (D) Tuck '23 (D) Tepper '23 (D) Johnson'23 (D) IMD Jan'23 intake (A)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
GPA: 3.01
Schools: Darden '23 (D) Haas '23 (D) Fuqua '23 (D) Tuck '23 (D) Tepper '23 (D) Johnson'23 (D) IMD Jan'23 intake (A)
GRE 1: Q169 V157
Posts: 115
Kudos:
19
20 Aug 2019, 00:44
Kudos
Bookmarks
EMPOWERgmatRichC
Hi zerotoone,
First off, a 660/Q49 is a strong score, so it could be enough to get you into some of the Top 50 Schools. As such, a retest might not be necessary. That having been said, you're closer to a 700+ than you probably realize. However, GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, most of your CAT score results - along with your last 3 Official GMAT Scores - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 670 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.
Aside from potentially retaking the GMAT, your plan should NOT be to apply to 'most' of the Top 50 Schools. The process of applying to (and ultimately attending) Business School will require a big investment of time, money and energy on your part, so you really should make sure that the Programs that you apply to match your career goals/needs - and it's not clear if you've actually done that research. In addition, there's NO benefit to rushing in your applications for Round 1 unless your applications are amazing. From what you describe, you have not started that process yet - so between putting the proper time and effort into your applications, continuing to study for the GMAT and all of the other aspects of your life (job, etc.), you might want to consider the Round 2 application deadlines. This will give you a lot more time to work on everything and potentially score a lot higher on the GMAT.
Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) After you took your 3rd GMAT, on what 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)?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
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
First off, a 660/Q49 is a strong score, so it could be enough to get you into some of the Top 50 Schools. As such, a retest might not be necessary. That having been said, you're closer to a 700+ than you probably realize. However, GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, most of your CAT score results - along with your last 3 Official GMAT Scores - show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 670 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes.
Aside from potentially retaking the GMAT, your plan should NOT be to apply to 'most' of the Top 50 Schools. The process of applying to (and ultimately attending) Business School will require a big investment of time, money and energy on your part, so you really should make sure that the Programs that you apply to match your career goals/needs - and it's not clear if you've actually done that research. In addition, there's NO benefit to rushing in your applications for Round 1 unless your applications are amazing. From what you describe, you have not started that process yet - so between putting the proper time and effort into your applications, continuing to study for the GMAT and all of the other aspects of your life (job, etc.), you might want to consider the Round 2 application deadlines. This will give you a lot more time to work on everything and potentially score a lot higher on the GMAT.
Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) After you took your 3rd GMAT, on what 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)?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?
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
Thank you so much for the response, Rich. I really appreciate you taking out time and offering to help.
I am not applying to most of the top-50 schools. I have shortlisted a few, and all of these schools have a deadline by September end or October 1st week. I have a good 40-45 days' time before I submit the applications. If I use the current scores, this time is sufficient for me to prepare good applications. However, all the shortlisted schools have a mean GMAT in 700-720 range. Admissions consultants have suggested me to re-attempt and try to reach the mean score of the target schools. The other parts of my profile are really good, hence I do not need to score more than the mean GMAT of these schools. Now, if I re-attempt GMAT, it will eat a lot into the time that I have to build strong applications. Also, as I understand, being an international applicant, applying after R1 is a bit risky. The later rounds become too competitive and extremely challenging, especially for international applicants.
Please find below my answers to your specific questions:
1. For attempt 4, I studied for around 20 hours a week (2 hrs/weekday and 4-5 hrs/day on weekend); since I have crazy work life, I had to work on some of the weekends and hence got too exhausted between work and studies
2. I attempted GMAT prep mock test 1-reset on 11th of Aug scoring 680 (Q46, V38), and GMAT prep mock test 3 on 15th of Aug scoring 700 (Q49, V35); my actual 4th attempt was on 17th of Aug
3. Since I am now building applications, I will be able to study for 12 hours a week (1 hr/weekday and 3-4 hrs/day on weekend)
I have attached ESR for my fourth attempt. Please have a view and let me know your thoughts.
Thanks and Regards.
Attachments
ESR_Attempt4.pdf [4.31 MiB]
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