URGENT !! Should i reschedule my GMAT ?? (With R2/3 dates approaching)

Question

Hello,

I gave GMAT Prep1 and scored a meagre 600 (Q45 V27), while i have considerably improved in Verbal (V15 to V27), i believe my Quants can touch 48-49. I am targeting a score of 680+. I have been preparing for the past 45 days, and have been successful in raising my score from lower 500 to 600.
I have scheduled my GMAT on 14th Jan and wondering if i should reschedule my GMAT to a later date. I anyhow have to get an admit in Fall 20, so i am eyeing for Round 2/3/4 of "Canadian" B Schools (only). Would you advice me to reschedule or would you advice me to appear for the first take and plan for a second one after 18-20 days. (While i want to hit the target at the very first attempt).

Targeting - Rotman, Schulich, Sauder, Ted Rogers,HEC Montreal - in the order.

Pls help.

PS: I have resigned and can dedicate whole day for the preps.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shash1990,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so if you have studied for just 45 days, then it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort to have scored higher yet. By extension, you would likely need more time than you have currently allotted before you can get to the point that you can consistently score 680+. As such, while there's no harm in taking the GMAT on January 14th, you will almost certainly have to take it again later - meaning that you could potentially save some money by rescheduling your Test Date.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What study materials have you used so far?
2) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
3) What is the minimum GMAT Score that you would apply with?
4) What are the exact Round 2 and Round 3 application deadlines that you are facing?

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

shash1990 · Answer

Thanks for your response.

1) What study materials have you used so far? - I have referred e-GMAT for Verbal, Experts Global for Quants

2) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)? - I took a mock on 18th Dec (530 Q48 V15) - Experts Global and second one on 5th Jan (600 Q45 V27) -GMAT Prep 1

Goals:
3) What is the minimum GMAT Score that you would apply with? - The minimum score that I am looking for is 660
4) What are the exact Round 2 and Round 3 application deadlines that you are facing? - Schulich has a R2 deadline of Jan 31st while it has said we can submit the application without GMAT score and Recommendation, while those can be done later. Rotman has a last round on March 1st Week. Sauder can also be done till Feb last week. Still, if I don’t score manage to score well, I will think of Ted Rogers and DeGroote that can be completed by Feb 2nd week.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi shash1990,

Since you've taken just 2 CATs - and scored 600 just once - there's no way to say for sure whether that recent result is an accurate reflection of your current 'ability level' or not. Statistically-speaking, you would likely need at least another 1-2 months of consistent, guided study before you could get to the point that you could consistently score 660+. If that truly is the minimum Score that you would apply with, then you need to think in terms of the application deadlines that would give you the proper study time and the best chance at earning that type of Score.

If Rotman is your first choice - and that last deadline isn't until early March - then you might want to consider building your study timeline around THAT application goal.

From your initial post, I assume that you plan on studying full time going forward. However, you have to be careful about confusing "quantity" of study with "quality" of study. I've never asked anyone to study 40 hours a week - and while it's great that you might have the available time to study that much, you would run the risk of 'burning out' before Test Day (and that is something that we want to avoid). If you are going to try to study that much, then I suggest that you take one hour "off" for every two hours of study. For example, you could study for 2 hours, then stop for an hour, then study for another 2 hours, then take an hour off, etc.

I suggest that you take a day to decide how you want to proceed with your studies. One month of consistent, guided study might be enough to get you to a 660+, but if you could give yourself more time than that, then your chances at earning that type of Score would greatly improve.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi shash1990,

First off, improving by 100 points in 45 days is impressive, so nice job! Regarding your test day, since you are still 60+ points from your score goal, I think that you should push back your GMAT, give yourself more time to study, and take the test when you are truly ready to do so. Certainly, if you’d like further advice regarding how to improve your verbal and quant skills, feel free to reach out.

URGENT !! Should i reschedule my GMAT ?? (With R2/3 dates approaching)

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