Heavily fluctuating math scores

Question

I took the GMAT today, and I am very upset with my math score. I scored a 29 after lots of preparation mainly from the official guide. I scored a 35 in the verbal section, and my math score brought me down to a 530. I did not take a prep course. The problem I had even before the test is my quantitative score seems to fluctuate greatly. I took the two GMAT practice tests after registering for the exam. I scored a 29 on the first one and a 34 on the second. Yet, my verbal scores don't fluctuate at all. I took many other practice tests with the same result. I did not skip the easy questions in the official guide. I have been preparing for the math section for about a year on and off, but studied heavily the week before. I reviewed the first 160 or so questions in the multiple choice section and the first 120 or so data sufficiency questions and I felt I had a good understanding of them. I was able to answer the first 30 questions in each of the math sections with ease. Yet it seems like the questions I got on the actual exam were vague compared to what I was expecting and it took me a while to figure out how to approach them. The only reason I decided to study from the official guide is because I wanted to know exactly what the questions looked like, yet the exam questions were nothing alike. Math has always been very stressful for me, absolutely when I am not 100% sure what kind of questions to expect. I earned my bachelors degree in accounting, and I did fairly well on the exams because I had some idea of what to expect.

I will say that I am not mathematically inclined. A lot of questions that might be easy to some are a real challenge to me. Yet, some questions that are a little harder come more naturally to me. On top of that, I have never done very well at standardized tests but I have done well in school. My question is do you guys think my poor score is really a result of my being unprepared, or would taking the exam again give me a better representation of my math abilities? I am not 100% sure I want to go to grad school yet. I recently graduated from college and would prefer to get some full time work experience first. However if I do decide to pursue a graduate degree later on in life I will have to study all over again.

So what would you guys recommend is best for me? Take a class? get more studying material? or just take the test in another month and hope for a better score?

I will say that I am not mathematically inclined. A lot of questions that might be easy to some are a real challenge to me. Yet, some questions that are a little harder come more naturally to me. On top of that, I have never done very well at standardized tests but I have done well in school. My question is do you guys think my poor score is really a result of my being unprepared, or would taking the exam again give me a better representation of my math abilities? I am not 100% sure I want to go to grad school yet. I recently graduated from college and would prefer to get some full time work experience first. However if I do decide to pursue a graduate degree later on in life I will have to study all over again.

So what would you guys recommend is best for me? Take a class? get more studying material? or just take the test in another month and hope for a better score?

whiplash2411 · Answer

I think most people will agree with me when I say this; the OG is more of a practice book than a strategy book. Not mastering the strategy before the exam might have cost you your GMAT. I recommend studying the strategy thoroughly from the MGMAT or Veritas series and then retaking. If a course wins better, that's a good way to go too.

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erdehoff · Answer

I am also not mathematically inclined (or thought I wasn't). I tried the Kaplan Premier and OG books, but they often assumed I knew things I didn't actually know. What really helped me break through was the Manhattan GMAT Foundations of Math book, which I got as part of the Foundations of Math I and II online seminars. Frankly, the book helped me a lot more than the seminars did. I did not buy any of the other Manhattan GMAT books, but Foundations of Math was a godsend for me -- it helped me get a grip on the basics to the point where, when I revisited the Kaplan and OG books, I could understand them better. If you're someone who is very self-directed, I would recommend trying that book by itself. I can't speak to the quality of MGMAT's other math books as that's the only one I used; the seminars were somewhat helpful, but the book was what turned things around for me.

PTK · Answer

Hi,

dont be upset.

You may take an on-line course, see here gmat-prep-course-reviews-discount-codes-78451.html

Knewton guarantees +50 points increase or money back.
I would recommend you to go back to the concepts and when you are consistently scoring above 40, try GMAT Club Math Tests, they are considered best practice material.

Good luck!

kooza26 · Answer

Thanks for the advice guys. I realized that I am just not good at independently teaching myself something that never came naturally to me so I decided to take the Manhattan GMAT course here in NY based on the reviews I read, and also the $100 coupon was not bad either. I will update you guys in 3-4 months on what happens. Hopefully I will have a success story like the many people here.

suyashjhawar · Answer

Thats the way! :wink:

Happy gmatting.

Heavily fluctuating math scores

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