Gmat failure

Question

How is it possible to get the exact same score after 4 months of study… i am in shock i think… zero improvement. I got 540 (Q40/V 24) now i got 540 (Q 41/V24)

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avigutman · Answer

That’s awful, I’m so sorry fabyaog . It seems to me like a classic case of ‘score gap’: https://youtu.be/OxHEmTCfD1E

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi fabyaog.

It's a drag to get the same score after preparing for months. At the same time, fortunately, you certainly have learned during your four months of preparation. Just, what you've learned hasn't translated into a score increase YET.

Regarding your preparation, how have you been preparing? What resources have you used? How have you used those resources? How have you practiced?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fabyaog,

I'm sorry to hear that your 2nd attempt did not turn out better. Many GMATers do get 'stuck' at a particular Score level - meaning that even though you probably have learned a lot over the last several months, you continue to 'see' (and respond to) the Official GMAT in the same general ways that you did on your 1st attempt. There are a number of different reasons why that can happen, but before we discuss any of those potential issues, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) On what dates did you take your 2 Official GMATs?
2) How long have you studied in total? Over the last 3 months, how many hours did 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?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

olive123 · Answer

Studies:
1) On what dates did you take your 2 Official GMATs?

May 31st and oct 5th

2) How long have you studied in total? Over the last 3 months, how many hours did you typically study each week?

I started studying verbal at least 2 hours per day three days a week last month i started doing mostly exercises and practices test.
For Quant 2-3 hr at least 2 days a week i did mostly exercises from the gmat official online questions. And check practice test

3) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?

I started with gmat OG then i got into egmat got 3 months some spanish books got the quant part, the first time I didn’t study barely some verbal, but after the first test i hired a teacher for individual classes, last month i went through the kaplan book and the official guide for verbal plus the material i got from the classes. Also took the ttp program

4) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you study on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Last 3 weeks i have take one every week. 
I did the Manhattan, and 2 gmat practice test and two especifically on verbal

Goals:
5) What is your overall goal score? I am happy with over 650 since i already give up on the 700
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to? I wanted to apply for 2nd round the schools I want to apply are Vanderbilt, Ross, Kellogg, McCombs, Tepper

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GmatKnightTutor · Answer

fabyaog

Have suggested Manhattan-Prep's 6th Edition for SC and CR. Consider also working with a study buddy for Verbal. There's a link on the gmatknight blog for a group.  Here's a post of someone who improved their V31 to a V40 (retake) in about 30 days . May be some helpful insight. Took a bit of tutoring but mention a variety of resources and tips.

egmat · Answer

Dear fabyaog

Thank you for reaching out. At times, a very difficult first step is to admit that we need help. So, congratulations on taking that first step! We are sorry you couldn’t achieve your target score, but we’re here to help.

We have studied your posts and the details you’ve shared regarding your prep. Here’s a summary of all your data points. Please feel free to correct us in case we’ve misinterpreted anything.

1. You’ve written the GMAT twice this year, four months apart, and scored a 540 on both occasions (Q40/41; V24).

2. For the first attempt, you relied on GMAT Official Guides and even subscribed to e-GMAT, but you did not prepare seriously. You barely solved a handful of practice quizzes before your first attempt.

3. For your second attempt, you hired a Private Tutor.

4. The study time you’ve invested: a rough minimum of 6-9 hours per week for Verbal and 4 to 6 hours per week for Quant, over the last 3 months.

5. In the final month of your prep, you solved GMAT OGs and Kaplan, and even subscribed to TTP.

6. You wrote 3 mocks, one per week, in the last three weeks of your prep. (1 Manhattan Mock + 2 Official Mocks) Your Scores: Not shared.

7. Your Target Score: 700 (bare minimum: 650)

We’d like to start by commending you on sticking to your guns. It takes courage and self-confidence to prepare for an exam as tough as the GMAT. Just for that, Kudos to you!

But improvement involves introspection and asking some tough questions. And we have a few questions that we’d like to discuss with you over a call. We invite you to write to [email protected] and share your subscriber email address with us. One of our in-house Strategy Experts will get on a call with you to dive deep into your account and find answers to those questions.

We’d also like to examine your prep over the last three months with a fine-tooth comb. You could be very close to your target, or completely on the wrong path. Expert scrutiny will help us ascertain the most logical next steps.

But take solace in the fact that you’re not alone in this struggle. There have been countless before you who’ve faced the exact same challenges and have emerged victorious. Shubham, for instance, went from a V26 in his first mock, to a V42 in the exam (GMAT 760). Nikhil went from a V28 to a V39 (GMAT 730) despite being a non-native speaker of English.

What did Shubham, Nikhil, and many like them have in common? They all placed their trust in our commitment to their success. It is with that sense of responsibility that we ask you to write to us.

We, at e-GMAT, sincerely hope you decide to give the GMAT one more serious attempt, and we wish you the best for it.

Warm regards,

Abhishek Raj

SME & Product Creator

e-GMAT

p.s.: Please read the following articles, written by our in-house team of experts, for some extra guidance.

1. How to prepare for GMAT Verbal

2. Tips to score a Q50 in GMAT Quant

3. How to improve your GMAT Score

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fabyaog, I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

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