What should be my GMAT strategy now?

Question

Hi!

I have prepared for GMAT over 7-8 months and finally wrote the exam yesterday. I am disappointed to get a 630 (V34, Q43)- 2nd attempt. First attempt was 530. I did the preparation after the first attempt. So basically my first attempt was bogus. Below are my mock scores.

GMAT Prep 6- 730 (V40, Q49)
GMAT Prep 5- 710 (V38, Q48)

GMAT Prep 6- 730 (V40, Q49)
GMAT Prep 5- 710 (V38, Q48)
MGMAT 1 - 680 (V36, Q49)
MGMAT 2,3 - 640 (V36, Q42)
MGMAT 4,5 - 620 (V36, Q39)

I took Jamboree online GMAT coaching for preparation, solved the OGs and used E-gmat Sentence correction.

I am confused as to what should be my strategy now. Should I go for a retake? What material should I refer? My target score is 680-700!

Advice would be highly appreciated.

DisciplinedPrep · Answer

a2zmicku  - Your GMAT test score is completely alignned with your practice test score; I see no significant dip in any section and therefore no reason to be alarmed. You need to learn a few more concepts to take your ability from 620 to 700+ range. You now need to master both concepts, concepts you missed, and strategies. It is mission critical to review your practice tests to fix 'every' weak areas. Please remember the GMAT gets incressingly difficult beyond the 700 level and therefore there's no room for silly mistakes or incorrect timing strategies. Given you official score is aligned with your practice tests' performance, I would not recommend purchasing the ESR as it may not provide too many insights except for highlighting obvious pitfalls.

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  a2zmicku , I am curious to know how there is such a significant difference between your actual score and your mock scores? Did you get repeat questions, when you were doing GMATPreps?

Russ19 · Answer

Your quant score fluctuated a lot, so focus on the issue. I recommend you see the YouTube videos of GMATNinja and read his articles. Attempt challenging questions from the link below and read the explanations of AndrewN, GMATNinja, EMPOWERgmatRichC:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/search.php?view=search_tags

Good luck with your journey!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi a2zmicku,
 
I’m sorry to hear about your GMAT. The good news is that you scored very well on your last two official practice exams, so you clearly have what it takes for a great GMAT score. Regarding how to move forward, if you need additional study materials, in addition to seeking advice in this thread, take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for  the best quant  and  verbal courses , and also read through some  GMAT success stories  to see what materials have worked well for other test-takers.

You also may find it helpful to read the following articles:

how to score a 700+ on the GMAT

Why Was My GMAT Score Lower Than My Practice Test Scores?

If you’d like more specific advice on how to improve your quant and verbal skills, feel free to reach back out. Good luck!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi a2zmicku,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) Did you take the At-home GMAT or did you take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
2) Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
3) 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)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your 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

preped · Answer

Hey, as you told your target score is 680 to 700 now you are very close to your target. only you need to work on your weak points so take a pen & paper and note down your weak points, note down you are weak topics, and start to work on them and I hope as you jumped 530 to 630. you will jump 630 to approx 700 of your target score in the next attempt.

a2zmicku · Answer

1) Did you take the At-home GMAT or did you take your GMAT at a Test Facility?
-Took it at a gmat test facility.

2) Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?
-Approximately - 1.5 to 2 hrs everyday

3) 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)?
-Took all the mocks evenly spaced in a span of one month.

4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?
-Planning to apply for Indian B schools latest by thrid round. That happens to be around December this year.

I am not able to attach my ESR, please let me know your mail id so that i can mail it to you.

Pl advice.

Posted from my mobile device

a2zmicku · Answer

In the 730 one I did not get any repeat question, whereas in the 710 one I got one repeat question which I intentionally marked wrong.  EducationAisle

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi a2zmicku, You can feel free to directly email me your ESR (my email is Rich.C@empowergmat.com). GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich

a2zmicku · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC

I have mailed you the ESR.

-Nilanjan Goswami

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Nilanjan,

I've sent you an analysis of your ESR and some additional questions.

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

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