Cancelled my scores, need help and motivation for round 2

Question

Hello everyone, today I took my GMAT and with a disappointing outcome, I decided to cancel my scores out of fear of "failing" by getting a low score. Let me preface this by saying, I came across this website/forum only weeks before test day came. So, once I got my hands on all the relevant information, I felt quite overwhelmed and underprepared. What I had used as my study guides were nothing you, the forum members, had recommended. All I had was a book called "Ace the GMAT", the gmat club iphone app (thats how I came across the forum) and flashcards to help me brush up. Needless to say, I felt quite underprepared. I plunged and bought all the challenges, and well, after doing several of them, they crushed my confidence as a result of my score.

After all has been said and done, I feel disappointed and defeated. I don't mind retaking the GMAT at all, since I've gone through the motion, so to speak. BUT I will say I will need help from you guys, support, hell, I wouldn't even mind a mentor to help me get through this "lovely" exam we all need to take.

Long story short...Now that I've seen the error of my ways, I'm taking atleast this month off, possibly November too. Once, I pick things back up, I'll take a diagnostic test to see where I stand at that point, and proceed from there. The books I will be ordering will be the OG version 12, MGMAT Number Properties book, as well as the SC Correction book. I think that will be a good base for my studies. I'm not looking for an amazing score, 600 or so would suffice for me and where I'm looking to apply, 650 would be nice. I will download the GMAT prep tests as well.

Any advice, or other materials you think I'll need to reach said goal would be greatly appreciated. I figure the best way to beat this exam is to get completely hands on with it in this forum.

Thanks and I'll be looking forward to what you have to offer me, and vice versa.

seseoppa · Answer

CiscoAmado, sorry to hear you had to cancel your score. I had to cancel my score last month too and it's a terrible feeling. But I am sure next time with better preparation you will do much better.

Definitely download the GMATprep as it's widely considered the most representative of actual GMAT. Those book you picked up look to be good choices. I found the MGMAT sentence correction book very helpful. Don't forget that you get access to MGAMT's online CATs too. Good luck!

CiscoAmado · Answer

No, it's certainly not the best feeling out there, best way I can put it is a feeling of "failure". Thanks seseoppa, I'm not looking to have this happen to me a second time.

Good luck on your venture as well.

RonMexico · Answer

Out of curiosity, why did you cancel your scores? You paid the money, you took the test - why not see the results and use them as a benchmark or "kick-in-the-ass"? Schools DO NOT hold multiple GMATs against you.

CiscoAmado · Answer

To be completely honest, I figured I'd end up with some kind of score, maybe 400-500 range, if that...versus the reality of possibly getting a score worse than I counted or antipated. In other words, I was scared I'd do worse than I wanted. If I would've gotten a baaaad score it would've discouraged me rather than not knowing, in a sense, I have a clean slate to only work up from.

Basically fear.

Basically fear.

bb · Answer

Man oh man - don't do that again. There is no value in canceling the scores - only agony from doubts and hesitation. Sorry to hear about the experience - definitely happy to provide some guidance. Take a look at this thread and see if it makes sense: should-i-retake-gmat-thread-retaking-gmat-strategies-83339.html

What is your target score and what scores were you getting on the practice exams?

Also, take a look at this plan (also has a link for those at 650 level): gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html

P.S. Thanks for the honest answer about canceling the score - kudos!

CiscoAmado · Answer

What is your target score and what scores were you getting on the practice exams?

For the school I'm applying to I'd need a 600...650 tops, and I never took a practice exam, but that will change this time around.

CiscoAmado · Answer

I sent this to bb, but I figured I could use other peoples input as well:

I read your study plan since you were gracious enough to link me the info in my cancellation thread. I have a few questions regarding the plan.

Am I correct to assume that the OG 12 and MGMAT SC and Number properties books are only for supplemental use?  If that's the case, do you still recommend the Kaplan Premier for starters? Or is there a better starting off book?

For the OG 12, is it better to get the comprehensive book? Or the Verbal & Math books? Do they differ in any way?

And how many books, roughly, would you recommend reading for the GMAT fiction? I looked at the list and I see several that interest me: Cannery Row, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance, and The Code Book.

bb · Answer

Here is the answer

Unless you are good in grammar, would recommend MGMAT SC. Same for Number properties unless you are getting mid-40's on your quant. OG 12 is for the end - to refine your skills - it has no study/strategy material. Sure, but it may be too basic for you - you can give it a shot. If it is not valuable, at least it has 6 tests that come with it. Just get the OG 12 - you may not need the others - they are slightly easier anyway. The 3 are different in terms of content and I feel the Quant OG and Verbal OG are not really necessary. 1,000 pages should be sufficient.

CiscoAmado · Answer

Thanks bb.

So if the Kaplan book might be too basic, what would you suggest for a better book? A book that's more in depth.

bb · Answer

Take a look at the specialized books (for math and verbal) best-gmat-math-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-77291.html best-gmat-verbal-prep-books-reviews-recommendations-78094.html

CiscoAmado · Answer

Thanks bb, I added the Kaplan Math Workbook as well.

I've read there's several errors throughout the book, is this the case with the most recent version?

Anyone care to chime in?

bb · Answer

Yes, sadly enough - more than in the previous versions. They are mostly with explanations - nothing is wrong with rules/theory - annoying, but not destructive.

in10sity · Answer

Hi Cisco - I joined this community this morn. & saw your post. I'm somewhere mid-way in my prep. And I'm looking for folks to interact with, learn from & share my own prep. strategies & progress. I want to invite you to start afresh & join efforts to 'achieve our targeted scores' . We can post our questions & learnings here on relevant threads. I'm sure you'll be empowered to look even beyond your target scores.

For a start - Go for  Kaplan Math Verbal  if you have it with you. It'll give you an idea of the different ways in which any given concept in Math can be asked. Also, you'll get an inkling (initial) of the scope of topics + Qs & the standards to which you may be required to prep yourself. Don't worry too much about the errors in the book. We can crease them out. Exercises given at the end of each chapter are really good & bring in the  'I can do it'  feeling. Time yourself when you do them.

Let me know what you think...& your next plan of action.
Cheers...

CiscoAmado · Answer

Thanks in10sity, I have no problems having someone help me out or having someone need my help, it only can help each of us and others.
How long have you been studying for? How is your study plan going, so on and so forth?

Right now, I'm going to look at the book you suggested and see if I should add it to the list I'm compiling.

CiscoAmado · Answer

Hey bb, (or anyone else)

I'm taking this month off, and possibly  I might  begin picking up next month slowly studying, nothing extreme or planned, just possibly looking over the Kaplan Math Workbook or MGMAT Number Properties to get some basics ironed out before I begin my 3 month study period.

When I do begin my 3 month study period, I'll have the correct books I'll need, I will take one of the GMAT Prep Tests to have a starting off point of what I need to do and where I need to end up.

I have been reading a lot, as your advice about GMAT Fiction, middle of my 2nd book, with a 3rd waiting in the winds until I order more from Amazon with all my GMAT books.

Which of the 2 would be better material to look over for fundamentals: MGMAT Number Properties or Kaplan Math Workbook?

Thanks.

CiscoAmado · Answer

In10sity, I looked last night for the book you recommended, Kaplan Math Verbal, and I couldn't find it anywhere. Do you have a link for that book you can send or post?

CiscoAmado · Answer

Can anyone help with this??

I'm taking this month off, and possibly I might begin picking up next month slowly studying, nothing extreme or planned, just possibly looking over the Kaplan Math Workbook or MGMAT Number Properties to get some basics ironed out before I begin my 3 month study period.

When I do begin my 3 month study period, I'll have the correct books I'll need, I will take one of the GMAT Prep Tests to have a starting off point of what I need to do and where I need to end up.

I have been reading a lot, as your advice about GMAT Fiction, middle of my 2nd book, with a 3rd waiting in the winds until I order more from Amazon with all my GMAT books.

Which of the 2 would be better material to look over for fundamentals: MGMAT Number Properties or Kaplan Math Workbook?

Thanks.

GmatNY86 · Answer

Cancelling the score is not a good idea. The cons are enough to list a novel and I can't really think of many pros. I thought that I bombed my quant since I ran out of time and guessed something like the last 10 questions. I felt pretty good about the verbal. Still I could have thought that I bombed quant (which was my crutch) and with verbal being so volatile, that I will get a poor score and could've canceled it. Instead I got a respectable (albeit below my goal) 690. There's a good chance I'll never take this test again. The quant, btw that I thought I bombed was a 44. It's not something that I'll write on my tombstone, but not as bad as I thought.

Now consider the following 2 scenarios:

Scenario 1: Now consider what would happen if I saw a 550 or something. That's not a score that I would be happy with. I would be upset and feel like a failure and take it again.

Scenario 2: I cancel the score because I feel bad about my quant. I feel like a failure. I take it again as well. Furthermore like this I would always wonder what my score was. What if it was a good score? Finally, now even if you think you completely bombed and your score would most likely stink and you would have to retake the test, if you cancel the score you would have to retake the test 100%. Your only consolation prize is that you don't have to see a bad score. But still you didn't accomplish your goal by canceling the score.

CiscoAmado · Answer

Thanks for the insight GmatNY86. I've already learned a lot from that day, and the possible reprecussions. Not to mention, I can assure you, and every other memeber, that I will not be going down that path again. This time, I will be better prepared than I was.

I received my order from Amazon containing: Kaplan Math Workbook, MGMAT Number Properties, and MGMAT Sentence Correction. On it's way is OG 12.

I received my order from Amazon containing: Kaplan Math Workbook, MGMAT Number Properties, and MGMAT Sentence Correction. On it's way is OG 12.

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Cancelled my scores, need help and motivation for round 2

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