Retaking GMAT for 5th time

Question

Hi Experts,

I am retaking GMAT for 5th time in Dec end. I started preparing a while ago with lot of enthusiasm, but have lost all motivation to give the exam as the day is approaching near.

Really need some inputs to keep going and give a try with all energy.
I have been struggling with same score for all past attempts. My mock scores were very good in verbal and something just seem to go wrong in exam. All exams score was same 600. The split score has been changing a bit. I am weak in Quant (cannot cross 45) however, SC are very good.

Is there anyone out there who has given exam so many times and succeeded in bumping 700?

Any positive feedback is welcome.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aryironthrone,

Based on the timeframe that you're describing, you have about two weeks before you plan to take the GMAT for the 5th time. Since you've taken the GMAT 4 times already, I'd like to know a bit more information about how you've studied for each of your attempt and your overall goals:

Studies:
1) How did you score on each of your Official GMATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each) and on what dates did you take each Exam?
2) How long have you studied for each attempt?
3) What study materials have you used for each attempt?
4) How have you scored on each of your recent CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
5) Have you taken any of these CATs BEFORE?

Goals:
6) What is your exact goal score?
7) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
8) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

aryironthrone · Answer

Hi Rich,

Below are the answers:

Studies:
1) How did you score on each of your Official GMATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each) and on what dates did you take each Exam?
  Ans:
1. Saturday, 10 Oct 2015 4:00 PM -> Score: 610 V35/Q36
2. Tuesday, 24 Nov 2015 1:30 PM -> Score: 590 V39/Q28
3. Thursday, 14 Apr 2016 9:00 AM -> Score: 600 V32/Q40
4. Wednesday, 7 Sep 2016 9:00 AM -> Score: 600 V28/Q43
  
2) How long have you studied for each attempt?
  
Ans:
1st attempt: for 2 months
2nd attempt:for 1 month
3rd attempt: for 3 months
4th attempt: for 2 months
  
3) What study materials have you used for each attempt?
  
1st attempt: OG 13 Verbal Review, MGMAT test, Gmat paper tests, Manhattan Guides for Verbal
2nd attempt: OG, Verbal Review, Kaplan Math Workbook
3rd attempt: 4GMAT Quant, Kaplan Math workbook, Manhattan Guides for Verbal
4th attempt: 4Gmat Quant, PowerScore Bible, eGmat free material
   
4) How have you scored on each of your recent CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
  
I am yet to give any CATs. I am very scared of attempting any test. Last 2 that I gave had below scores:
1. Score 710(V40,Q48) - GMAT Purchased Prep Practice Test - exam 2 (Sep 2016)
2. Score 690 (V36, Q48) - GMAT Purchased Prep Practice Test - exam 1 (April 2016)
  
5) Have you taken any of these CATs BEFORE?
   Yes I have taken the CATs before  
Goals:
6) What is your exact goal score?   As I come from Indian background, I need 700+  
7) When are you planning to apply to Business School?  I plan to apply for second round in January  
8) What Schools are you planning to apply to?  Plan for ISB, UNC Kenan Flagler, Darden

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aryironthrone,

Since you have not taken a practice CAT in several months, there's no way to assess whether you're likely to hit your score goal on Test Day or not. As such, it's imperative that you take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) sometime soon. It's essential that this CAT should be one that you have NOT taken before and that you take it under similar conditions to what you'll face on Test Day (so take the FULL CAT, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc.). Based on your prior Official Scores, I'm concerned about the inconsistencies in your approach - but we can't properly discuss that issue until you have a more recent score to use as a basis for comparison. Once you have that score result, you should post back here and we can discuss how best to proceed. Based on what you described though, and your score goal, you might want to consider pushing back your Test Date.

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

aryironthrone · Answer

Thanks Rich.

Quick help: can you suggest any free prep test? I have already spent a bomb and do not wish to spend more for a test. I have exhausted the GMAT Prep free tests and exam pack 1.

Regards

ebichan · Answer

One of my friends has just taken the test in her 6th attempt. Her pattern is: 640 - 550 - 580 - 650 - 620 - 710 in 2 years.

So definitely you can.

Her key to success this time is spending a lot of money on official materials: Q-bank, Exam Packs. She also bought gmatclub tests.

In the past she only used cheap materials such as the old paper tests, OG 12th...

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aryironthrone,

While I respect the fact that you have already spent a considerable amount of money on the GMAT-prep 'process', that does not change the fact that the GMAT score is a significant aspect of the Business School application. As such, trying to save money during your studies (by using free practice Exams, among other things) is a dubious choice. As it stands, I do not have a specific free practice CAT that I would recommend (beyond the 2 CATs that come with the free software from www.mba.com). If you've been purposely trying to save money at every point during your studies, then that might help to explain why your 4 Official GMAT scores all revolve around a 600. Scoring a 700+ on the Official GMAT often requires a commitment of time, effort and money into the process - and you should look into this as investment into your future and not a series or expenses to be avoided.

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

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