GMAT struggle

Question

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi justdan,

From what you've described, it doesn't sound like you've studied as much as you should have (and the studying that you have done sounds problematic in certain ways).

All that having been said, you were actually really close to a 700+ on your first GMAT attempt, but you made a few too many silly/little mistakes and your score dropped accordingly. Your second attempt isn't actually that much lower than your first; GMAC has publicly stated that a Test Taker's Official Score is within +-30 points of actual ability, so your two Official scores revolve right around 660.

If you've re-taken any CAT that you've previously taken, then you have to ignore those score results (retakes almost always end in unrealistic, 'inflated' score results).

With 2 weeks to go before Test Day, it's possible that you could hone your skills enough to score 700+, but your chances would greatly improve if you could push back your Test Date (even if it was just for a couple of weeks).

1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) Do you know which Schools you plan to apply to?

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

justdan · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi justdan,

When I mentioned that you probably had not studied enough (for your prior attempts at the GMAT), I was basing that off of what you specifically stated. The work that you've done since then seems focused on the number of questions that you've done, but not necessarily on the quality/relevance of the material (nor the Tactics that you've learned/practiced). This is all meant to say that there are some BIG unknowns in how you might perform on this next GMAT.

1) Have you taken all 4 of the GMAC CATs or just the 2 free Exams?

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

justdan · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi justdan,

It looks like you've taken the 2 GMAC CATs repeatedly - taking a CAT that you've already taken almost always leads to an unrealistic, 'inflated' score - so we can't assume that ANY of those scores are accurate. While no CAT is an exact match for what you'll see on Test Day, the MGMAT CATs are 'close enough' - those score results all seem in line with your second Official GMAT score. With the information that you've provided, I would assume that you would probably score in the mid-600s to high-600s on the Official GMAT.

You have a greater opportunity to pick up points in the Verbal section than in the Quant section, so if you plan to stick with your current Test Date, then continuing with the extra Verbal practice makes sense. You should NOT be taking CATs every day though - there's NO benefit in doing that (and you might end up 'burning out' before Test Day).

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

justdan · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Dan,

If you've read anything into my posts besides a professional evaluation, then you've misunderstood the point of these posts. When someone asks for suggestions, wants advice or is looking to define why a 'problem' exists, I'll answer the questions that are asked. The GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. However, if you (or anyone, for that matter) are making choices that actually work AGAINST that goal, then I'm going to point that out - BECAUSE I'm trying to help you to score at a higher level. I'm actually being remarkably 'supportive' right now, just not in the 'rah rah, everything is going to be fine" way that you might be looking for.

I think that your latest CAT result is encouraging - and I have no doubt that you have the necessarily skills to score at a high level. However, you skipped the IR section on this CAT, so you took a shorter, easier Exam and the score result is likely 'inflated.' THAT prior sentence is not meant to be anything more than informational. If you make choices during your studies that are problematic, then I'm going to point them out. Whether you score 700+ or not on Test Day will come down to work that you do and the points that you EARN. NOW is the time when you can 'fix' many of these little issues, but you have detach yourself from any emotional response and focus on the advice and the work.

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

justdan · Answer

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi krtibdewal,

First off, a 660/Q50 is a strong score (it's right around the 80th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into Oxford (although that score is at the lower end of the spectrum for that School). Since it's in line with your other Official Scores, this just might be your ability level. Since you're short on time, low on CATs and you don't want to spend any more money, there's likely no quick way to get you to 700+. As such, you might want to work with this score and try to put together some well-designed application(s).

You would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:

ask-admission-consultants-124/

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

justdan · Answer

Actually I found a quick one without spending money. I chilled for 2 weeks, took the GMAT several days ago and got 710. I guess you didn't spot that for all my CATs my Verbal was higher than 32 and sometimes reached 40+. So, by stating that 660 this is my ability level, after taking into consideration that I could easily score Q48+ on the real thing and for all my MCATs I had ~Q44-Q46, you made an obvious mistake. If you still think that GMAT score is predictable, then it seems that you are wrong, since you predicted than 700+ is unlikely without any further preparation. What is strange is that I actually did not prepare at all. Cheers dude, and I would suggest other people to NOT take EMPOWER GMAT courses, since their tutors are having problems with probability questions

P.s: As a matter of fact, I finished Verbal ~7 minutes earlier and still improved my Verbal score by around 10 points.

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