Bad example 640-Q49-V29, Why its so important to remain calm

Question

I started my GMAT preparation 3 months back around middle of May. I have given CAT (entrance examination for IIM’s) during my college days. In CAT my score always went up due to good verbal score as I used to get high 90 percentile in verbal. When I started to prepare for GMAT , I was confident that verbal will be breeze and did not bother much about preparing for the V section. My scores in practice tests also used to come in line with the expectations, most of the times I scored around 39-40. Following is the list of GMAT preparation tests and my scores. I took all the tests in simulated environment and strictly timed the tests as per GMAT timing rules (I also made sure to write essays every time).

1. GMAT prep-1 – May 25th – 720 Q 49 V 44
2. Manhattan GMAT-1 - June 15th – 680 Q49 V 39
3. Kaplan GMAT 1 high score software – June 22nd – 570 – Q40 V34
4. Manhattan GMAT-2 July 7th – 690 Q49 V 40
5. Manhattan GMAT -3 July 13th – 650 Q47 V 34
6. Manhattan GMAT – 4 July 23rd – 600 Q43 V 29
7. Kaplan GMAT -2 – July 27th – 590 Q43 V34
8. Manhattan GMAT -5- Aug 2nd– 680 Q49 V39
9. Manhattan GMAT -6- Aug 15th 670 Q48 V 38
10. GMAT prep -2 Aug 18th – 690 Q47 V 39
11. GMAT prep- 1 – repeat –Aug 21st 710 Q49 V39

Actual GMAT – Aug 25th – 640 Q49 V 29

It’s not that I was surprised by my actual GMAT score, well definitely I was but problem lies in how I got such a low score. My actual verbal score mimics my score on 6th Manhattan GMAT test. In both cases I had completely funked the verbal section. In case of my practice exam 5 , I had scored low on verbal , hence I made up my mind to improve the same in the subsequent test. However the overwhelming fear of scoring low in Verbal section, crept on my confidence level and I went into tunnel view (I call it tunnel view because I am constantly looking at the screen - reading the question stem/ sentence or passage but nothing goes into the brain- I enter the stage of numbness). This happened to me on my 6th exam as I was overly cautious and worried regarding V score.

Things went back to normal after I got some encouraging scores on test 8 & 9 , I was sure that I will hit at least 690 in the real thing. However on test 10 when I was desperate to get score above 700, I again entered the spasm, I paused the test went out of my apartment, came back after an hour , resumed the test and got 690. It became increasingly clear that whatever happened to me at start of V section was very dangerous. Four days before test I retook GMAT prep-1 , I enjoyed giving the test and got 710 , moreover only 2 SC question came from my first exam , which further boosted my morale , as the score was not considerably marked up.

On D day I started firm, essays were exceptionally good, quant had a sloppy start I got third question wrong (I immediately knew because I had calculated partial quantity and wrong answer contained that), afterwards Q section was good , there were lot of inequalities , 2 P&C questions , and I knew that I was doing fine. However the tunnel view came in at 35-36th question of quant as I found myself reading the DS statements twice or thrice without making any notes, by the time I started V section I was completely overtaken by fear of failure. My first question was SC (I guessed something after fumbling for 3-4 minutes), next was RC question , I spent more than 10 minutes on reading the passage and nothing made sense to me. I tried everything to pacify my mind, however it just didn’t go. Afterwards, I went berserk and finished the V section 20 minutes before the time. My score on the actual test was 640 Q49 V 29.

I think my example will be eye opener for many who panic in the exam, my advise is that whatever happens always remember that your biggest weakness is your fragile mind. ( :cry:

although I couldn't keep my nerves in control)

I am planning to give GMAT once again in one or two months, trust I will accomplish the task next time.

I will be happy if some one benefits from my de-brief, any suggestions to help me out are also welcome.....

although I couldn't keep my nerves in control) I am planning to give GMAT once again in one or two months, trust I will accomplish the task next time. I will be happy if some one benefits from my de-brief, any suggestions to help me out are also welcome.....

gurpreetsingh · Answer

Try again I m sure you will improve.
Gmat is more about stress and time management than about intelligence.
Proper strategy and calm mind can fetch you 40-50 more points.

akaydee · Answer

Your quant score was in line with your test scores, however I think as you mentioned your nerves in the verbal section let you down. Anyway chill out. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Thank you for sharing your experience.

You'll do much better on the next one.

You'll do much better on the next one.

tt11234 · Answer

thanks for sharing!!i agree with you too because i had the same problem...i got panic when i looked at the time...

BM · Answer

It seems that you have already identified the main issue with your verbal score: test anxiety. Although erratic, your previous practice scores for verbal demonstrate that you can perform better. the best thing to do right now is relax and take a short break from the GMAT. When you begin you studies, don't do as many CAT's. These are helpful, but overtime became a source of worry for you.

Here's a link on test anxiety. Hopefully, it will help you to some degree.

Here's a  link  on test anxiety. Hopefully, it will help you to some degree.

Mandy4983 · Answer

Hey... Firstly, congratulations for identifying where you went wrong...thats the first step of correction process! Next, CAT and GMAT verbal are unfortunately very different

As you begin your preparation again, start from a fresh page - as if you know nothing much about GMAT Verbal section - without the baggage of your CAT Verbal knowledge! Third point - a very effective way to counter stress / anxiety about any section is to counter the section itself...I think your anxiety on the test day was a result of unflattering Verbal scores on mock tests. Master the Verbal section, and your test-anxiety should reduce substantially. And GMAT Club is a great resource from which to learn what works in GMAT and what does not

Bottomline: Let bygones be bygones (I know easier said than done, but then, what has to be done has to be done), and focus on improving Verbal score...aim for the stars - u will at least get a moon

mustdoit · Answer

same thing happened to me as well.......no worries...try again and you will succeed..

qweert · Answer

You'll do a lot better on Verbal, and that extra 8-9 points will push your score into the 700's..

gsothee · Answer

Thank you for all the support , I badly needed it as I am quite depressed at the moment. I had planned to give Toefl on 11th and put in my applications for R1. Anyways I don't plan to give up , and will try to control test anxiety when I retake the GMAT.

One more thing which I have noticed is that I gave all CATs when I was most relaxed i.e. sunday afternoons . After completely overhauling my verbal concepts, I will start giving CATs in high stress environment for ex. weekdays, it may help in reducing some anxiety, as I will get used to it.

York101 · Answer

hey first of all congrats ...i know the score may not seem "high" for you but if i got that i would be happy, so know this: you are doing much better then you think,
my 2 cents : try to increase your tolerance of test anxiety, as you said yourself practicing CATs on weekdays, may be try giving them in unfamiliar environments like a public library, (also do them the same time of the day you would schedule your test) etc.
this may not seem important but take up light exercise.....15 min/day (yoga/stretching), my verbal actually improved once i started exercising.
a calm body ensures a calm mind

all the best for future!

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Bad example 640-Q49-V29, Why its so important to remain calm

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