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Apr 2301:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
Struggling with GMAT Verbal as a non-native speaker? Harsh improved his score from 595 to 695 in just 45 days—and scored a 99 %ile in Verbal (V88)! Learn how smart strategy, clarity, and guided prep helped him gain 100 points.
Apr 2212:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
Apr 2308:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Video explanations + diagnosis of 10 weakest areas + 150+ short videos + study plan!
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
5 weeks preparation scores:
28 Sept: Official Mock 1: 620 (Q49, V26)
24 Oct: Official Mock 2: 690 (Q50, V34)
5 Nov: Official Mock 3: 640 (Q49, V29)
12 Nov: Official Mock 4: 680 (Q51, V31)
16 Nov: Official Mock 5: 680 (Q48, V34)
20 Nov: Official Mock 6: 680 (Q50, V31)
After getting a 690 on my second mock, I booked my exam date for a month later, hoping for a linear improvement to 750+ in 4 weeks. The original plan was to apply to M7 universities in R2 of this cycle.
As I had less time, I focused on Verbal - my weak point. With every consecutive test, there was some improvement, but not enough to help me crack a 750+. As none of my mock scores could cross the 700 mark, I was unsure of giving the test and considered rescheduling it. But the mistakes I had made in the final three official mocks seemed rectifiable, and I was confident of at least getting a 700+ (Q51, V35+) on the first attempt.
Instead, I got a 670.
23 Nov: Official GMAT score: 670 (Q49, V33)
Exam day experience:
I took my official GMAT at Pearson (Shivaji Nagar) Bengaluru on 23rd November.
On my 3rd question in Quant, I had a system issue where I couldn't proceed to the next question even after marking the option and pressing Confirm. The invigilator tried multiple times to convince me that there might be multiple correct options (!!), which pissed me off only more. He went to get the head invigilator. By then, some 3-4 minutes had passed, and I started panicking. When the head invigilator came in to check, we tried a few more times, and eventually, it worked, and I could proceed.
As an engineer from a top IIT who grew up performing exceptionally well on tough Indian competitive exams that involve difficult Quant, I was confident of getting a Q51. So, you can imagine my anxiety when this happened. Anyway, I hastened to make up for the lost time and did finish the test 5 minutes early. I probably got a few questions wrong in that panic-stricken state of mind and got a Q49 instead of an easily manageable Q51.
Verbal seemed more difficult than the six mocks I had taken, and I spent more time on a few SC questions (and probably got them wrong anyway). I had to rush through the last few questions. As the questions seemed to get more and more complex, I tried to reduce my anxiety and boost my confidence by convincing myself that I was performing alright.
As I have spent two days wallowing in disappointment and low confidence, I have realized that I need to work hard on my verbal and exam readiness in the next few weeks to get a 750+ score.
I am hoping for some solid advice on the following:
1. The invigilators said they’d register a case with GMAC for the 3rd question with the system error. What should be my next step? I am positive I got that question right, so I don’t know how this would help. But I'd like to try at least.
2. Should I shift to GMAT Focus? The 31st Jan current GMAT version deadline is weighing my focus down, and if I get a score less than 750 on my second attempt, I will be left with no option but to move to the Focus edition.
3. Would resetting the six official GMAT mocks inflate my mock scores if I retake them?
4. I am positive about getting a Q50/51 on my next attempt, but I have improved only slightly at Verbal during my four weeks of preparation. Is a 2-month focused test series (like e-Gmat) worth the investment, and can it ensure a V41+?
28 Sept: Official Mock 1: 620 (Q49, V26)
24 Oct: Official Mock 2: 690 (Q50, V34)
5 Nov: Official Mock 3: 640 (Q49, V29)
12 Nov: Official Mock 4: 680 (Q51, V31)
16 Nov: Official Mock 5: 680 (Q48, V34)
20 Nov: Official Mock 6: 680 (Q50, V31)
After getting a 690 on my second mock, I booked my exam date for a month later, hoping for a linear improvement to 750+ in 4 weeks. The original plan was to apply to M7 universities in R2 of this cycle.
As I had less time, I focused on Verbal - my weak point. With every consecutive test, there was some improvement, but not enough to help me crack a 750+. As none of my mock scores could cross the 700 mark, I was unsure of giving the test and considered rescheduling it. But the mistakes I had made in the final three official mocks seemed rectifiable, and I was confident of at least getting a 700+ (Q51, V35+) on the first attempt.
Instead, I got a 670.
23 Nov: Official GMAT score: 670 (Q49, V33)
Exam day experience:
I took my official GMAT at Pearson (Shivaji Nagar) Bengaluru on 23rd November.
On my 3rd question in Quant, I had a system issue where I couldn't proceed to the next question even after marking the option and pressing Confirm. The invigilator tried multiple times to convince me that there might be multiple correct options (!!), which pissed me off only more. He went to get the head invigilator. By then, some 3-4 minutes had passed, and I started panicking. When the head invigilator came in to check, we tried a few more times, and eventually, it worked, and I could proceed.
As an engineer from a top IIT who grew up performing exceptionally well on tough Indian competitive exams that involve difficult Quant, I was confident of getting a Q51. So, you can imagine my anxiety when this happened. Anyway, I hastened to make up for the lost time and did finish the test 5 minutes early. I probably got a few questions wrong in that panic-stricken state of mind and got a Q49 instead of an easily manageable Q51.
Verbal seemed more difficult than the six mocks I had taken, and I spent more time on a few SC questions (and probably got them wrong anyway). I had to rush through the last few questions. As the questions seemed to get more and more complex, I tried to reduce my anxiety and boost my confidence by convincing myself that I was performing alright.
As I have spent two days wallowing in disappointment and low confidence, I have realized that I need to work hard on my verbal and exam readiness in the next few weeks to get a 750+ score.
I am hoping for some solid advice on the following:
1. The invigilators said they’d register a case with GMAC for the 3rd question with the system error. What should be my next step? I am positive I got that question right, so I don’t know how this would help. But I'd like to try at least.
2. Should I shift to GMAT Focus? The 31st Jan current GMAT version deadline is weighing my focus down, and if I get a score less than 750 on my second attempt, I will be left with no option but to move to the Focus edition.
3. Would resetting the six official GMAT mocks inflate my mock scores if I retake them?
4. I am positive about getting a Q50/51 on my next attempt, but I have improved only slightly at Verbal during my four weeks of preparation. Is a 2-month focused test series (like e-Gmat) worth the investment, and can it ensure a V41+?
25 Nov 2023, 08:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
Quote:
Might be worth sending GMAC an email mentioning what happened and requesting a free retake. The ESR may be worth checking out as well. You may also get some specific suggestions in case you share it here (may want to wipe any personal info off it first). If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit. Perhaps include working with a study buddy into your prep. If you found someone who is strong on Verbal and needs help with Quant, that could be a good fit. There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub you could check out/sign up to.
How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?
25 Nov 2023, 09:52
Kudos
Bookmarks
aaryaa96
The journey from 690 to 750 is not typically a linear one, particularly over a span of just four weeks. This phase often requires intensive work for each point of improvement.
Your Quant scores are impressive, and consistently hitting 50-51 would solidify your standing there. As for Verbal, it's crucial to identify which specific areas (Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, or Reading Comprehension) are pulling your score down. Once you pinpoint these, targeted practice in those areas can be really beneficial.
1. Regarding the system error, following up with GMAC about a possible free retake seems like a wise step. They might offer a resolution considering the technical issue you faced.
2. If you are applying in this cycle, sticking with the classic GMAT version makes sense, especially since some M7 schools aren't accepting GMAT Focus yet. However, for the next cycle, moving to GMAT Focus could be advantageous given your strength in Quant. Transitioning to Focus might naturally boost your score.
3. Resetting the six official mocks could inflate your scores, as familiarity with the questions might skew your performance.
4. The key to a V40+ is a solid grasp of the fundamentals, such as breaking down CR arguments, comprehensively reading RC passages for structure, tone, purpose, and genuinely engaging with the material.
Keep pushing forward, and best of luck with your preparation and next attempt!
