Preparation for nothing?

Question

Hi there,

I wanted to know what might went wrong on my exam. I studied with the Premier Kaplan 2015 and did the CATs as following: 
1 (diagnostic) 570 42/28
2 600 39/38
3 660 49/31
4 590 42/33
5 600 42/34

At the real exam I scored 530 39/24. I was not nervous or anything and thought to have answered the questions really good. What could be the reason for such a low score? I even got 40 points more on the diagnostic exam, where I guessed a lot and didnt know anything about the GMAT.

I studied about 5 weeks and took the exam on Saturday here in Vienna, Austria. 
I kind of have the feeling the score is rather random and depends on how well you answer the first questions. Maybe I was thinking too complicated on the GMAT, I don't know I will never see the list of questions right? Or is there a possibility?

Greets,
Max

JackSparr0w · Answer

What was your breakdown? I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, many people study for months and don't receive their target score. Just start the review process again. Take a CAT, maybe use a gmatclub, gmat prep, or mgmat cat this time though.

madmax1000 · Answer

I don't know, I did not trouble with a lot of questions. Is there any possibility to see what questions went wrong? I think 570 for the first CAT without knowing anything is not that bad, but then for what the preparation when it doesn't seem to change the score... Maybe I would have scored more by not preparing at all, if I just relied on my common sense..

JackSparr0w · Answer

You actually already posted the breakdown, Q39/V24, I just didn't see it. It seems like you scored within your practice range on quant, but the vebal dropped off. The test is obviously weighted more heavily toward verbal, so, if you're fine with your quant score, why not do a few quant problems every day to maintain your skills there, but focus more heavily on verbal? Read the economist, NY times, WSJ on your way to and from work. Then spend a couple of hours each day drilling verbal problems, and reviewing all the verbal questions you've already done on the CATs.

I'm decent in verbal, and happy to help if possible. Feel free to PM questions you struggle with. make sure you know why each incorrect choice is incorrect, as well as why the correct coices are indeed correct.

Also, I hear (but have not tried it) that the verbal in the egmat course is really good. May be worth looking into.

I'm decent in verbal, and happy to help if possible. Feel free to PM questions you struggle with. make sure you know why each incorrect choice is incorrect, as well as why the correct coices are indeed correct.

Also, I hear (but have not tried it) that the verbal in the egmat course is really good. May be worth looking into.

KarishmaB · Answer

No, you cannot see the questions again. You are not even supposed to discuss any official question you got and might remember with anyone. The score is decided using a rather intricate algorithm that takes various factors into account. Start with 530 as base score. You might want to start with the basics - pick up a complete prep package and kick off with book 1 or join a course which gives you lessons on every GMAT relevant area. And yes, doing a bit of preparation for GMAT will not always lead to score improvement. Most people are able to solve at least some GMAT questions instinctively. When you start preparing, you start digging deeper into the questions, looking for complications, spending more time to ensure that you are not falling for traps etc. But this might actually lead to an initial small dip in the score, with more second guessing getting balanced out by better accuracy but just not enough. After enough practice, these steps come naturally to you and you start understanding the GMAT style - that's when you see a spike in the score. Usually, people take about 3 months to prepare for GMAT - 1.5 months for building basics and 1.5 months for practice and review of sections in which they are weak. I would suggest you to check out this link: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/ It offers you a video lesson, a course book and a practice test for free. This will give you an idea of what to expect from a complete prep package and how it can help you.

madmax1000 · Answer

Actually I went completely through the Kaplan Premier 2015, although I did not practice all online Questions, which was a mistake maybe. 
You said 1.5 month for the basics (which I actually did) and 1.5 month for practice. I also got the complete GMAT official books: Official review 2015 +Quant/Verbal review including tons of questions. Additionally I got the Kaplan 800 book. Maybe I should start going through tons of official questions, especially verbal, and writing down common mistakes.

KarishmaB · Answer

A score of 530 suggests not very sound concepts so you might want to invest time in building stronger fundamentals before starting with tons of practice questions. Only practicing questions rarely leads to solid score hikes.

manyatpr · Answer

Hi, 
More than going through the same material again, we would advice you to focus solely on giving as many mock tests as possible. Now, the key is apart from giving the mock tests, one needs to spend much more time in analyzing the same. Typically, if you spend 2 hours in taking the mock test, spend at least 4-5 hours in analysing your performance. Go over each and every question and find out better, smarter and faster way to do each and every question. Take a note of all the points and then apply the same in the next test. 
Keep doing this consistently and hopefully you will see the desired results coming in soon. 
Wish you the best.

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