disastrous GMAT 460 (Q38, V17)

Question

Hello everybody,
Yesterday I took my first official GMAT test, and I scored only 460 (Q38, V17).
I studied only 1 month for the test( I only studied from the Gmat general official guide), and I already knew that I would have been very difficult to get a good score( I was aiming for at least 500, but ideally 600+).
The problem is, until the bay before the exam I was standing around Q30-33 and V22-27 almost in every mock I took, while in the official exams the points were completely different( better quant and much lower verbal).
I don't know how that's possible, even in the first mock exam I took ( without knowing how the gmat works) I scored V22, and I never scored below V22 during all the month of preparation.
I'm disappointed because with a verbal of 22 I could have passed the test with a score of 500( which is the minimum required for one of the masters I want to apply for).
Another problem is that I have to retake the test again, and score at least 500, but I don't know when to take it, the options are: in 2-3 weeks from today, studying around 15-20 hours per week, ore in July (studying only 5-8 hours per week).
In every case I cannot study that much for it because as I said in another post I have to graduate in july from my bachelor degree, so I have to take 3 exams+bachelor thesis.
To be honest, it would be better for me to retake the test in 20 days from today, since I still have the fresh concepts, however I need to be "sure" that I can pass it with at least 500.
About that, I was thinking to buy another book/books about math, so that I can "ensure" a quant score of minimum 36-37, as in general I always scored 22 or above in verbal( except for the exam). Could you suggest me some good books that could help me improve my quantitative score? However, I cannot spend that much for the books, I was thinking for something about 80-100 dollars max, maybe something even cheaper.
I accept advices about everything( strategies, books etc..).
Thank you in advance for your help!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Could you suggest me some good books that could help me improve my quantitative score? However, I cannot spend that much for the books, I was thinking for something about 80-100 dollars max, maybe something even cheaper.

One thing to consider leveraging is the gmatclub in-house math guide. It's free and can be downloaded as a pdf.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

Russ19 · Answer

Hi Enrik

Did you use manhattan prep strategy guides for concepts? You might try an online prep. Explore the link for the video solution to OG quant: https://gmatquantum.com/official-guides ... at-videos/

Good Luck!

AnirudhaS · Answer

use this community for your gmat prep. Its free and some really helpful people out here! Best of luck in your preparations.

devansh1496 · Answer

Hi Enrik,

I understand what you must be feeling right now. I scored a 490 on my practice mock in late December last year. I was targeting the best possible score.

What I can recommend you to do is to leverage all the resources from the GMAT Club. I did not pay a penny and all I did was study using the plethora of questions on GMAT Club and some of the invaluable free resources such as TTP and EmpowerGMAT trials.

I made my way from 490 in my mock to 650 on the actual GMAT within 1 month of focused, dedicated GMAT prep.

Because you would be taking the GMAT again, a very useful tip I can share with you is to focus on what you DONT know. What you know is irrelevant. What you do not know is where you are going to lose points. So focus on that.

Here is a strategic take that will help you with your target score:
1. Set a score that is realistic in proportion to the efforts you are willing to put in. If 600 is your TS, then you have to make sure you get all those 500 level questions right. 
2. Work your way through easy as well as mid level problems. You need to get all the basic questions in the bag so that you do not lose points. 
3. Focus on quality over quantity. Clearing you concepts is more valuable than mindlessly solving 100s of questions. 
4. Check out the many online practice tests you can take weekly to gauge your progress. Review questions you got wrong to figure why you got them wrong and learn from your mistakes. 
5. Mock tests mean little. They are just an indicator but they are not absolute. I scored only a 560 on my final official practice test but a 650 on the actual. What will get you through to your target score is your level of preparation about various concepts, your physiological state on the test day and overall readiness.

All the best.

nislam · Answer

Hi  Enrik ,
Magoosh video lessons might help to add some more scores, I agree with sjuniv32 that no other books are as good as Manhattan prep strategies guides.

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Enrik,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not turn out better. You've been scoring in this same general range (right around 460) during much of your studies - and the variations in your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores are likely due to a mix of lucky/unlucky guesses and little mistakes (that you either made or did not make in individual sections). A couple of weeks ago, one of the concerns that we discussed was the short timeframe you were working under - and that you would likely need more time to get to the point that you could score at a much higher level (with the Goal of scoring 550+). I bring this up because you are now planning for another short study timeframe - and if you developed any 'bad habits' during your initial studies, then you will likely score in the mid-400s to high-400s again if you retake the GMAT too soon. If your first-choice Program has a specific Score requirement, then THAT Score Goal has to come first (and if you are not careful, then you may end up having to take the GMAT several more times - which would cost you far more money than taking a bit more time to study now and investing in the proper study materials would). If you can commit to another 1 - 1.5 months of consistent, guided study, then there is a structured Study Plan that we could put together for you (and which would put you in a much better position to score 550+).

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Enrik,

Regarding resources, 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.

Feel free to reach out with any other questions.

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disastrous GMAT 460 (Q38, V17)

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