Last visit was: 16 Sep 2026, 08:45 It is currently 16 Sep 2026, 08:45
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
avatar
marinewarrior42
avatar
Joined: 14 Oct 2010
Last visit: 17 Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 09:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Just sat for my first GMAT. Can honestly admit studied about 2 hr/night, 4 nights before the test. Took a Kaplan practice exam two weeks before and scored 550. This time scored 410!!! Already am enrolled in MBA classes as my school waived the GMAT b/c of my good gpa, however wanted to score high on GMAT and transfer to a better B school. I will most likely sign up to take again about 2-3 months from now, maybe late winter '11.. Any helpful advice would be great.. can I recover from a 410 or will this always haunt me?? :cry: :?
avatar
kushagra452
avatar
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Last visit: 30 Dec 2012
Posts: 34
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 5
Location: WWW
Schools:Tepper, ISB, McCombs, Emory, Duke, NUS
WE 1: SAP consulting
WE 2: Business Development Manager
Posts: 34
Kudos: 1
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 10:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
marinewarrior42
Just sat for my first GMAT. Can honestly admit studied about 2 hr/night, 4 nights before the test. Took a Kaplan practice exam two weeks before and scored 550. This time scored 410!!! Already am enrolled in MBA classes as my school waived the GMAT b/c of my good gpa, however wanted to score high on GMAT and transfer to a better B school. I will most likely sign up to take again about 2-3 months from now, maybe late winter '11.. Any helpful advice would be great.. can I recover from a 410 or will this always haunt me?? :cry: :?
Show more

No need to worry about this anymore. I am sure you will crack the gmat in your second attempt. I believe that Kaplan is not truly representative of the real gmat questions. I used manhattan and OG 12 to prepare. I too had almost the same amount of time as you (my preparation period was 5 days. But devoted a total of approximately 40-45 hours). But I guess the study material made the difference.

Also, take a GMAT prep test before you start you preparation. It will help you in identifying the areas that need more attention.

Cheers! and best of luck
avatar
marinewarrior42
avatar
Joined: 14 Oct 2010
Last visit: 17 Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 10:28
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
kushagra452
marinewarrior42
Just sat for my first GMAT. Can honestly admit studied about 2 hr/night, 4 nights before the test. Took a Kaplan practice exam two weeks before and scored 550. This time scored 410!!! Already am enrolled in MBA classes as my school waived the GMAT b/c of my good gpa, however wanted to score high on GMAT and transfer to a better B school. I will most likely sign up to take again about 2-3 months from now, maybe late winter '11.. Any helpful advice would be great.. can I recover from a 410 or will this always haunt me?? :cry: :?

No need to worry about this anymore. I am sure you will crack the gmat in your second attempt. I believe that Kaplan is not truly representative of the real gmat questions. I used manhattan and OG 12 to prepare. I too had almost the same amount of time as you (my preparation period was 5 days. But devoted a total of approximately 40-45 hours). But I guess the study material made the difference.

Also, take a GMAT prep test before you start you preparation. It will help you in identifying the areas that need more attention.

Cheers! and best of luck
Show more




Thx bud, appreciate it!! What type of GMAT test prep do you advise taking before I actually start my entire study prep of 2-3 months???
User avatar
bakfed
User avatar
Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Last visit: 12 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,768
Own Kudos:
1,250
Given Kudos: 37
Status:Darden Class of 2013
Schools:University of Virginia
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
Posts: 1,768
Kudos: 1,250
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 10:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I believe what kushagra was referring to is the GMATPrep that you can download off MBA.com's website. On the downloadable software there are 2 sample tests that reflect the same grading as the real test. This is especially help because it really helps gauge at your actual score.
User avatar
siyer
User avatar
Joined: 15 Apr 2010
Last visit: 18 Oct 2017
Posts: 111
Own Kudos:
197
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 111
Kudos: 197
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 10:49
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
marinewarrior42
Just sat for my first GMAT. Can honestly admit studied about 2 hr/night, 4 nights before the test. Took a Kaplan practice exam two weeks before and scored 550. This time scored 410!!! Already am enrolled in MBA classes as my school waived the GMAT b/c of my good gpa, however wanted to score high on GMAT and transfer to a better B school. I will most likely sign up to take again about 2-3 months from now, maybe late winter '11.. Any helpful advice would be great.. can I recover from a 410 or will this always haunt me?? :cry: :?
Show more

2 hrs daily for 4 days is hardly enough time to prepare for the GMAT. So i don't think your 410 score is actually indicative of your abilities. You are right to devote at least 2-3 months towards your preparation.

You can refer to the below links for study plans/books etc.
gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html?highlight=ml301
best-gmat-books-77703.html

Hope this helps.
avatar
marinewarrior42
avatar
Joined: 14 Oct 2010
Last visit: 17 Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 3
Kudos: 0
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 12:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thank you for your help@!!! I am already motivated by reading the stories
User avatar
krishna3891
User avatar
Joined: 28 Apr 2010
Last visit: 07 Sep 2012
Posts: 53
Own Kudos:
6
Schools:CBS
Posts: 53
Kudos: 6
Terrible first experience 14 Oct 2010, 13:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
kushagra452
marinewarrior42
Just sat for my first GMAT. Can honestly admit studied about 2 hr/night, 4 nights before the test. Took a Kaplan practice exam two weeks before and scored 550. This time scored 410!!! Already am enrolled in MBA classes as my school waived the GMAT b/c of my good gpa, however wanted to score high on GMAT and transfer to a better B school. I will most likely sign up to take again about 2-3 months from now, maybe late winter '11.. Any helpful advice would be great.. can I recover from a 410 or will this always haunt me?? :cry: :?

No need to worry about this anymore. I am sure you will crack the gmat in your second attempt. I believe that Kaplan is not truly representative of the real gmat questions. I used manhattan and OG 12 to prepare. I too had almost the same amount of time as you (my preparation period was 5 days. But devoted a total of approximately 40-45 hours). But I guess the study material made the difference.

Also, take a GMAT prep test before you start you preparation. It will help you in identifying the areas that need more attention.

Cheers! and best of luck
Show more

Identify your weak areas first. As someone above said, try taking the GMATPrep tests from mba.com. Check your score and identify your weaknesses. There are corresponding books to buy according to your weaknesses. 8 hours preparation is obviously insufficient for GMAT. So don't read too much into your result. Am pretty sure that you can score lot higher. Good luck!
User avatar
vwjetty
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Last visit: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 897
Own Kudos:
606
Given Kudos: 71
Status:battlecruiser, operational...
Schools: Carey '16
Schools: Carey '16
Posts: 897
Kudos: 606
Terrible first experience 16 Oct 2010, 18:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
true. manhattan is good. I got a 430 first time I took it. Now I'm gonna take it again with the expectation of trying to get into the 600's.

Be sure to do some this.



it helps me relax :-)
User avatar
youmi
User avatar
Joined: 09 Sep 2010
Last visit: 08 Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 2
Schools:UTS Sydney
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Terrible first experience 18 Oct 2010, 08:07
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Don't worry, it actually happened the same to me. I sat for the GMAT on the 3rd of September and got a terrible score of 410 !!! I was so disapointed and thought of giving up on the GMAT, but this last for 2 days, and I was back on the track to blast it !!!
I took everything from the beginning, bought some books as OG12 and the Quantitative and Verbal review and the MGMAT guides. As I was going through the books, I realized that I wasn't prepared enough AT ALL the first time. I'll re-take the GMAT on the 3rd of December and I still have a lot to go through since then but I'm feeling confident.

Just keep practicing, and focus on your weaknesses. :wink: