Mock Score: 720 GMAT Score: 610

Question

I took my GMAT yesterday and scored a mere 610 (Q:47 V:28). I took my first mock before any preparation and scored the same. Here are my mocks scores:

GMAT PREP 1: 610 (Q: 48, V: 27)
GMAT PREP 1: 580 (Q: 46, V: 22)
MGMAT 1: 630 (Q: 44, V: 32)
MGMAT 2: 670 (Q:43, V: 38)
MGMAT 3: 660 (Q:44, V:36)
GMAT PREP 2: 700 (Q:50, V:35) 
MGMAT 4: 690
Veritas Free Test: 620
MGMAT 5: 710
MGMAT 6: 710
GMAT PREP 3: 720 (Q:49, V:39)
GMAT PREP 4: 760

I worked on quant and verbal simultaneously. SC was my strong section while I was struggling with CR. RC - I was managing well.

I was worried about my timing but in the exam, I managed it well. I was a little uncomfortable and distracted during my verbal section. Rest, I thought I was doing well in verbal.

Could anyone help me figure out the next steps? I want to write the exam again in 20 days as I have taken 15 days leave from office and I do not want to stretch it.

Any advice?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AriesDamsel9,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. Your practice CAT scores clearly show that you're capable of scoring at a much higher level. 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.

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?

It's possible that you just had a "bad day"; but if we can figure all of this out quickly, then you shouldn't wait too long to retest.

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

AriesDamsel9 · Answer

When you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?  I always took the entire CAT 
2) Did you take them at home?  I took most of them at home and a few at a center too on a desktop(office setting) 
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?  Couldn't take all of them at the same time. Took around 4 at the same time. 
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?  As I was taking mocks at home, sometimes the electricity would go off and I was forced to take breaks during mocks. Also, sometimes, out of desperation, I would pause for a minute or so esp when I was distracted. 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once?  Yes, I did take a few mocks a second time and therefore, I used to see some repeat questions. So, I guess the surprise element was gone during mocks.

Apart from this, I could feel the discomfort while giving the actual exam because the desktop screen was too high (I tried to adjust it but couldn't). I am not sure but because there was no way I could pause the exam, may be that feeling made me uncomfortable. I feel that I was only thinking of finishing the test on time which was my biggest worry rather than spending more time for the first 10 questions and last 10 questions.

KarishmaB · Answer

This huge variation in practice test vs actual test is a common phenomena among the net savvy generation. Check out our post on this issue here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2013/08 ... bal-score/ I am sure you will agree with most of what is written. Focus on the remedial measures suggested. Take V28 as your base score and work from there. Put in some time and effort in the actual concepts and then focus on practice. Here is an SC video that you might find helpful: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi AriesDamsel9,

Based on everything that you've described, it sounds as though you really were NOT training yourself to face the full GMAT in a realistic way. Retaking CATS, pausing the Exam, taking your CATs at home, etc. were choices that impacted your readiness for Test Day.

Using this 610 as a 'gauge', it will be difficult for you to raise your score 100+ points in less than 3 weeks (not impossible, but definitely tough). You need time to properly train in a realistic and test-like fashion - taking additional practice CATs is only part of the task (and you should NOT try to 'cram' in lots of practice CATs over the next few weeks).

1) While I understand why you don't *want* to push back your Test Date, do you have any flexibility to do so? The extra time could be quite helpful to your overall improvement. 
2) What practice materials are you working with?

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

Mock Score: 720 GMAT Score: 610

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