Help and Advice for the second attempt

Question

Hello everyone, I need help here, I gave my 1 Gmat exam and scored 250 and it's not that I was not prepared I gave 6-7 months to my preparation, I was shocked when I saw my Gmat score, I gave plenty of mocks as well and scored around 500-550.
I am planning to give my exam again after 2 months, it will be nice if I can get help that how should I start now and score well in exams.

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vartika2525,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned - and from what you describe, that is a very surprising result. 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. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) On what date did you take your Official GMAT? Did you take it at a Test Center or did you take the At-home version of the GMAT?
2) How long have you studied in total? How many hours do 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]

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider getting the ESR for more data about your performance. If you do, recalling what happened during the exam as you look over the data may give you an idea about what could have happened. Things like time management, for example, may play a factor in score performance. If you were double checking things a lot more on the 250 attempt and, as a result, rushing/guessing the last 10 questions of each section, that could be one reason for the difference in your recent score. May be worth checking out the gmatclub study plan post as well. Browsing this subforum to see how people have improved their scores and the resources they've used in the prep journeys could also provide some helpful insight. This person started off with a 420 base but ended up with a balanced 730, for example: https://gmatclub.com/forum/goodbye-gmat-396610.html

KarishmaB · Answer

Which mock tests were these? Such a score variation is very rare. Did something go wrong during test day? 
Which resources did you use in these 6 months? You may need to start afresh assuming 250 to be the baseline. 
I suggest you to brush your Math concepts from your middle and high school books first and then enrol in a GMAT course and go through each topic. 
Also, invest an hour everyday in reading (newspapers/ magazines etc). You should see a lot of improvement in the next 3 months. 
Start taking weekly official practice tests after 2-3 months of study.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Vartika2525.

What mock tests did you score 500 - 550 on?

Also, how have you prepared for the GMAT so far?

Finally, you haven't said what your score goal is. That information could be helpful as well.

Vartika2525 · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  
 KarishmaB 
 MartyTargetTestPrep 
I gavePrinceton,Kaplan,manhattan,800 scores and official mocks in which I scored 500-550. Yes, I would say that I was stressed on my test day as it was my first attempt.
I used to give at least 6 hours in my prep. I joined Mitul Gada Association and I used Manhattan and OG for my prep.
On weekends I used to take my online classes to understand the concept and then solve the problem from OG, during the last two months I started giving mocks.

I planning to give my 2nd attempt after 2 months and my score goal is 700, want a suggestion that how should I start my prep now and how can I achieve my goal in this time frame.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Vartika2525,

Since you mentioned nerves were an issue for you, I have a great article you can check out:

How to Eliminate GMAT Test-Day Anxiety

Regarding how to prepare for a retake, you can also give this a read:

How to Improve Your GMAT Score

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vartika2525,

While it's certainly possible that you had a bit of a 'bad day' when you took your Official GMAT, you were not close to your Score Goal on any of your CATs/mocks - and you will have to make signficiant improvements to how you approach BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections before you will be able to consistently score at the 700+ level. This is meant to say that you will almost certainly need more than just another 2 months of consistent, guided study. I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

KarishmaB · Answer

If you saw a score of 500+ in the mocks you mentioned, I am surprised that you scored 250 in the actual test. Everyone faces anxiety on test day but not to this extent. Multiple attempts are possible and no one will be the wiser if you cancel your score so take heart from that. Ignore this result and move on.

Go through the complete curriculum of a test prep in the next 2-3 months and then start taking weekly practice tests. Identify your weaknesses and revisit those topics. Continue with the process for another 2 months. Thereafter, you could take the actual test.

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