690 - Down but not out

Question

Hi All,

I just got back home a few minutes ago from the test centre. I didn't manage to get a score I wanted. I was aiming for 720+, heck anything over 700 would have been satisfying. My score in the end was a 690 (Q47 V36). I started studying on 1st November 2007, but not until mid December did I step it up a few notches.

I was hoping to write a success story for many paragraphs long, but I won’t bother, since I don’t call this a success. I have a tough decision to make now. I am applying to Cambridge Round 3 (yes to heard me right), and the deadline for this is 7th March. I do not know whether to apply or defer until round 4 and aim for a better score?

The funny thing is I actually thought just before I clicked “Report Score” that I had done very well. I thought my effort was a 710 minimum. But it wasn’t so. I have posted my practice scores below. I do not know what went wrong. I have posted my practice CAT scores below. I need guidance on how to get on the 700 ladder.
Look forward to some feedback.

CAT Date Score Quant Verbal
MGMAT 06-Jan 650 45 34
MGMAT 12-Jan 620 38 36
GMATPrep 13-Jan 660 49 31
MGMAT 19-Jan 620 38 36
Princeton 20-Jan 690 44 41
MGMAT 24-Jan 660 43 37
GMATPrep 26-Jan 750 49 42
PowerPrep 27-Jan 720 49 40
GMATPrep 29-Jan 760 50 41
PowerPrep 01-Feb 750 50 41
GMATPrep 03-Feb 710 49 39
GMATPrep 08-Feb 750 50 41

cheers,

buff

maverick101 · Answer

Hey Congratulations,

Its not a bad score (at least for me). I really want a 700+ for myself too. I'm not in a position to advise you but would like you to cheer up, its not a bad score.

Looking at your CAT scores, I would definitely hope for a 720+.

finance423 · Answer

interesting, i got a 48Q/36V and a 680 on my first try in December. i've heard of scores deviating a bit, but that just seems odd that you got the same verbal and a lower math and still scored higher.

StartupAddict · Answer

You should have scored higher. You must have not been going through the questions on GMATprep but have memorized the answers?

Be careful with this.... always think through the question and recalculate the answer.

buffdaddy · Answer

Thanks for the replies all,

Now that I've had a chance to think things through and reflect a bit on my performance, I will retake the GMAT after I get these applications out. So more on that later.

finance423, I am not sure how the final score gets calculated, but what you mention seems rather odd.

StartupAddict, I definitely think that there were two factors with my high GMATPrep scores. I think for the Quant, I was far far more relaxed while doing GMATPrep. I did see a few repeats, but not more than 2-3 on Quant. But because I was relazed, i was never under pressure. The exam pressure i think overwhelmed me. For the verbal, you are definitely right. Its easier to remember an answer for verbal, especially whole RC passages repeat for verbal at times.

So I am about to go to the B-School Application forum and post there for a few tips.

nyrberg · Answer

Congrats on the score.

miketal20 · Answer

congrats! 690 is a good score.

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690 - Down but not out

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