580 on 5th Attempt looking for insight on how to improve

Question

Hi all,

I took my fifth attempt at the GMAT today after taking a break for almost a year and scored an abysmal 580 (Q47, V23, IR7). The last time I took the GMAT was September 2017 and scored a 640 (Q49 V 29), my other scores were earlier than that so might not be as relevant.

I started studying again in September of this year and have been using the GMAT Prep software, the OG 2017, and Manhattan Prep books. I had previously taken the MGMAT Interact courses, e-GMAT Verbal online course, and EMPOWERGmat. The last four practice tests that I took before my current attempt were on the GMAT Prep software and I scored the following: 700 (Q48 V37), 710 (Q49 V38), 710 (Q49 V38), 710(Q49 V36). Given the scores I was getting I was sure I was ready for the test this time but the V23 definitely surprised me as I thought I was doing well throughout the Verbal section and didn't feel distracted at all. I took my practice tests under the same conditions as the test and even at the exact same time.

My target score is a 710 and given that I didn't get close to it I don't think I can apply for Round 2 schools like I had hoped. I feel like I'm almost there with this test but I'm not sure what is holding me back. I'm waiting to get my ESR and as soon as I do I will post it here. Could you all help me figure out where I'm falling short and what I can do to ensure that I hit my target score? I'm thinking of retaking the test in early January so I can keep this momentum going.

Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Apurve,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not go as well as hoped. Since this is your 5th attempt - and your Verbal Scaled Score is significantly lower than your other attempts (both your Official Scores and your CAT Scores), I have a few questions about how you took your prior Scores, your CATs and Test Day itself:

1) What were your Scores on each of your Official GMATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
2) Since you've studied for the GMAT multiple times, how many times did you use the Official GMAC CATs?
3) What did you do in the 3 days before your GMAT?
4) How did you sleep the night before your Test?
5) How long was the ride to the Test Center from your home?
6) Were there any distractions at the facility or during the Test?
7) What did you do during the two 8-minute breaks?

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

bhavik1995 · Answer

Did questions repeat while you were giving 2nd shot at gmatprep test. because this can really hinder to judge actual ability.

Apurve · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for replying. See my responses below. Also, I'm attaching the ESR for the test as well.

1) My previous official scores are as follows: 610 (Q45 V228), 620 (Q44 V32), 620 (Q42 V35), 640 (Q49 V29)
2) I've used them all once. Which was more than a year ago so I didnt remember any questions that I saw.
3) I continued practicing a few questions for RC, CR, SC from the Verbal Guide. I also reviewed my mistakes. I took a practice test 4 days before my actual test
4) I got 8 hours of sleep but I kept waking up and falling back asleep
5) It was about 30 minutes
6) No distractions
7) I drank some water and ate some chocolate

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Apurve,

I’m sorry to hear how things went with your GMAT. Although I don’t have too much information regarding your test-day experience, it’s possible that that nerves, stress, tiredness, or a combination of all three negatively affected your test-day performance. However, it’s also possible that you have some lingering weaknesses that were exposed on test day.

Scoring high on GMAT verbal tends to involve using logic and noticing key details. However, it is possible to get some verbal questions right by looking for patterns that you have already encountered in your preparation. Looking for patterns will not always work, though, and if the patterns you are familiar with don’t show up in the questions that you see on the actual GMAT, your verbal score will not be very high. So, another possible reason for the difference between your verbal scores on practice tests and your verbal score on the real GMAT is that in your preparation, you did not really learn to do what you have to do in order to score high on verbal. Rather, you picked up on some patterns that were effective in getting you relatively high scores on practice tests.

If you’d like to provide some further details about the days leading up to your exam and how you felt while taking the exam, perhaps we can better determine why your test score dropped.

Feel free to reach out with further questions.

egmat · Answer

Hi  Apurve ,

Just wanted to check if you got the chance to check our response to your query over email. We had listed a few immediate steps for you. We would like to know if you need any further help or clarification.

Looking forward to your response.

Regards,
Aditee

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Apurve,

I've sent you a PM with an analysis of your ESR and some additional notes.

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

EducationAisle · Answer

Your Verbal just plunged in the actual exam. Did you order ESR?

580 on 5th Attempt looking for insight on how to improve

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