Took GMAT on 04/28 - Got 570 (Q45 , V25)

Dear Friends,

I took GMAT this Saturday and result was utterly disappointing, 570 (Q45, V25). Like everyone's dream I too was dreaming 700+ but I knew at the bottom of my heart that I am capable of only 650 or so. In my practice tests I used to score around 600 - 680. In my last 2 GMAT Preps I scored 680 and 730. But the last 730 was an inflated score as I had gone through all the SC, CR questions before the test. This was perhaps the worst decision to waste my GMAT Prep like this. It would have helped if I would have known that I still range in 600s, I would have planned to postpone the test a little bit to give myself more time. Another blunder Is did was in my last week - Mon – Fri, I dint take any practice test which I felt negatively affected me during my exam. Due to exam anxiety initial 2-3 quant question were bumping me, Later I was able to control somehow. Verbal I don’t know what happened, my Verbal is poor and I was able to see that in all my test scores, I used to get 16-19 questions wrong in all my practice tests. But with GMATPill RC strategies and SC guide checklist somehow I improved and felt little confident in last 2-3 weeks of my preparation.

Anyways, it’s past now, It dint take much time for me to come over it. It just took a weekend, perhaps the reason was that my wife also took GMAT with me and she got 680 which was pretty good and expected score. Though she too underperformed a little, we were expecting her to cross 700+ easily based on her performances in all the practice tests she took. Both of us prepared together and I can safely say that we gave enough time to our preparations (almost 5 serious months).

I am utterly disappointed and at this moment feeling like Verbal won’t be possible to conquer, I am not much worried about Quant. I know where I have to improve some initial questions in exam stumped me. I feel like I can improve my quant score for sure but Verbal is almost looking impossible. I wanted to write a separate email to BB and Zeke seeking suggestions on what should I do next but thought it will be better if I post it here so that someone who has gone through such situation can guide and help me on how can I deal this. Though I have a good job and so far and things are going on well professionally, I want do my MBA and I have no other way other than turning my GMAT disaster to a success. I want to do MBA from any of the top 3 institutes in India.

This is what I have planned.

1) Since I have exhausted most of questions and material in forums or books I have (though not the way I should have), I think I will take a break for 2-3 months. I want to gather some more energy as well. I have some personal things lined up in my life which won’t allow me to again take out 2-3 hours/day for studies. So I will restart my preparations after 2-3 months.

2) Till then as suggested by BB, I will read GMAT fiction, word by word. I will read a lot, I will read critically. After taking real exam I felt my Verbal is pathetic and I need to sink myself in lot of English. I have experienced it earlier when I use to read good that it comes naturally. Hopefully I can pull it through again and get my GMAT English to a mark when I get comfortable with GMAT questions.

3) I will keep in touch with Quant by solving 10-15 questions a week. Following Bunnel’s post every week, replying to questions in Quant forums etc

4) Once I feel I am ready with Verbal, I will start again. Will give 2-3 month maximum for my preparations, will go through GMAT Math book, GMAT Club Tests, Bunnel's questions, will take 6-7 practice tests, MGMAT SC guide, Powerscore CR. GMAT Prep tests, I hope this should work.

Apart from this if you think I can do anything else to keep myself motivated to conquer the GMAT beast, please suggest. I am seriously looking for some help in Verbal. I have to improve in Verbal and I will do everything it takes to cross 40 in Verbal. Please let me know.

BB and Zeke - If you see this post then please do reply, I am looking forward for some inputs from you. For me you are my GMAT mentors.

Thanks
Sourabh