Stuck in 500s

Question

I've been studying for over a year on and off, been getting low 600s for mocks but when attempting the actual exam I've been getting lower than 550. Not sure what I'm missing. I'm aiming for 650, 600 would be alright I guess. Any tips?

kntombat · Answer

Hey  PeterRabit , Don't worry.
 MartyTargetTestPrep ,  ScottTargetTestPrep ,  CrackVerbal ,  gmatwhiz  any tips for  PeterRabit  here ??

Gmatisking · Answer

Study using a good course.
IT will help for sure.
TTP for Quant.
And Egmat/Gmatwhiz for Vebal.

Russ19 · Answer

Hi  PeterRabit ,

What are your quant and verbal splits? Focusing on easy and medium OG questions might support you to move forward. What resources did you go through so far?

Good Luck!

sarthakaggarwal · Answer

Give many mocks and don't take much stress during the exam. 
One of the reasons of your low score might be that once making a mistake you are not analysing it properly, which leads to making the same mistake again and again.
Like if a question is given a no. X and no other info about you might assume it to be an integer, while you have to assume it a real no.
So i will suggest that you give plenty of mocks and also spend some time on analysing them properly

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi PeterRabit,

Although I do not have much information on how you have been preparing, I did write an article that addresses the issue of scoring lower on your GMAT than on practice exams. Feel free to give it a read and then reach out with any questions.

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

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PeterRabit,

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:

1) On what date did you take your Official GMAT and how did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used? 
4) 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)?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official 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

PeterRabit · Answer

Hi EmpowerGMAT

1) 29th August 2021 (I cancelled the score because I went backwards from my previous scores, I think it was V27 Q35, IR6) 
2) I've been studying on and off since November last year (when I last wrote, got 540). I usually do 1h in the morning and 1h in the evenings. Maybe 3-4hours on the weekends. 
3) I started off with Magoosh with a friend about 2 years ago but then stopped for a while to focus on career as I transitioned into consulting, got OG 2018 books and got Manhattan books too. CATs I've got the first 4 mocks from OG. Then I've done Princeton too, got a pack of 6 exams there. I realised that other brands might not be great so decided to purchase test 3&4 from GMAT. My scores from OG CATs were 620 and 600 two two weeks and one week before my last GMAT exam. I don't think purchasing another prep is going to help me. I need to relook at the way I am studying/absorbing the material. 
4) I tried to do one a week before the 29th Aug. I got Q49 V24 (two weeks before) Then Q44 V28 (1 week before). I realised that my verbal score was really low hence I focused on Verbal and my score dropped for Quant. 
5) I want to apply to in the October dates hence my August attempt and left about a month to do my applications.

Upon my reflection I think I get test anxiety, ever since school days I don't do well on exams. I've graduated top of my honours class mostly due to group work and reports etc. Coming from a background that doesn't do standardised testing also didn't help but I got the hang of the format of GMAT. Furthermore, what the users mentioned above may be true that I do not spend enough time on reviewing my incorrect answers. I feel particularly true for verbal which I need to plan the way I study.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi PeterRabit,

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

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

asadashraf · Answer

Hi, this forum seems appropriate to express my current situation. I thought I would be done with the GMAT by May with a minimum score of 700, but boy was I wrong. I’m not “smart” per se, just a hard worker who has been training for the GMAT since March 2021. I have never been good at Std. Tests, and I have been studying a lot for the GMAT. Initially, I was choosing quantity over quality, but after my first attempt (which I was not ready for at all), I ended up with a 530 even though I was scoring 650-680 in the GMAC Mocks (I did all 6).

I focused on my weak areas and sat again for the GMAT on 29th August 2021 hoping that this time I would manage >700. I ended up with a 640 (Q45, V33). The score is not at all reflective of my mock performance and I did not manage my time well in the exam at all.

I have been studying every day since my last attempt and kinda losing hope now. I feel as if my performance is deteriorating, I am confused about what material I should use (currently a cocktail of OG, Magoosh, Prepscholar, and free mocks from Manhattan and Kaplan) I am unable to get a consistent score and I don’t know what to do anymore. I am registered for my 3rd attempt on 18th September 2021 but I need some guidance and support on what I should be doing.

I need to score a minimum of 710 and I feel like I need some core improvement in Verbal. My average performance in verbal has been Q39-40.
I do not want to enroll in a new study course, just need some legit guidance on what my plan should be for the next week and a half to be able to pull up my 640 to 700-710. Should I keep doing OG? Should I buy practice mocks? Should I focus on topic-wise questions?

Any advice is welcome!

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi!  PeterRabit 
Thanks for sharing the concern. We understand what it feels like to be stuck at a low score.

Pls let us know on the following:

(1)How many effective hours of learning you are able to give yourself?

(2)Which resources have you used? Did you have a structured and practical plan? Did you stick to it?

(3)Which mock tests have you used?

(4)Have you analyzed your errors in mock tests? Have you identified your error pattern?

(5)Have you done an analysis of your recent score and identified gap areas?

(6)Have you completed Og and error analyzed it?

(7)Have you identified your areas of trouble both in Verbal and Quants?

(8)Did you incorporate break days in your prep to reboot for a learning sprint?

We look ahead for your inputs to continue on the discussion.

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