Tanked the verbal even though scored 690 on practice exams

Question

Hi everyone! 
I recently did the exam and I really tanked the verbal section. I did a practice exam the night before the official exam and got a 690. However, my official exam result was 570. I am a non-native speaker, however, I did college in the US.

The main issue was the verbal section. 
** I studied many many hours for sentence correction, however, i found myself on the exam unsure whether a sentence is correct or not. Like which concepts should I apply? If there are errors in the sentence are they really errors? For example, if a sentence includes a gerund, I know that in many cases it’s usage is wrong and can be redundant, while its usage in many other cases is correct (like indicating that two things are happening at the same time). Or like a sentence using “:” which is plausible and another using “-“ which is also plausible. 
I studied sentence correction using TTP and I did really good on all the exams including the hard ones.

** For the reading comprehension we were given a long 4 paragraph essay that talked about geological eras and a certain type of beetles. The passage was torturing. I zoned out multiple times while reading, and felt like it was hard to connect the sentences and get a feel of its meaning. I did many OG RC questions including many hard ones and would only get like 2 out of 20 wrong (I did the RC in 20 questions blocks). 
I am not sure what happened. Can someone please help me understand what I did wrong? I studied a lot for the exam and I did well on many standardized tests in the past.

Posted from my mobile device

pintukr · Answer

Think you would have attempted last few questions in haste.
Practice using Forum Quiz to solve questions of varying difficulty levels.

All the Best.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

The ESR may be helpful to check out. Consider getting the Official-Guide 2022 if you haven't gone through it already. You can get an e-version from the MBA website. Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC (and CR) may be worth checking out as well. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, working on your solving approach may help. Had a student for example who went from a V31 to a V40 in about 30 days. Perhaps include working with a study buddy who is really strong on Verbal into your prep. There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub.

5 Verbal tips

5 Verbal tips

AlviraRahman · Answer

Allow me to give you the most inspirational good news, SC is the easiest of the verbals to improve upon. Don't let this bog you down.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gg_wp_2023,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) On what date did you take your Official GMAT and what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?
2) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
4) On what dates (or approximate 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:
5) What is your overall goal score?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

gg_wp_2023 · Answer

Hello, Rich!
Studies:
1) On what date did you take your Official GMAT and what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?
I took the exam 6th December. Q44, V24. 
2) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
I studied 150+ hours. I put in at least 3-4 hours a day. 
3) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
I did TTP and some OG for verbal. 
4) On what dates (or approximate 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 scored on the practice tests 690 and 650. V33 and V32 for each. 
Goals:
5) What is your overall goal score?
My goal score is 710-720. 
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?
This January.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi gg_wp_2023,

Since you are planning to apply in January, depending on the Schools that you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile and plans. Those Experts should be able to answer your Admissions questions and help define the specific areas of your profile that could use some improvement (and the more time that you have to act on that advice, the better). There's a Forum full of those Experts here:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/ask-admissio ... tants-124/

I've also sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]
www.empowergmat.com

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi gg_wp_2023,

Do you think that nerves were an issue for you on the exam?

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Tanked the verbal even though scored 690 on practice exams

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards