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Wrote my first ever GMAT exam and got a 710 (Q49, V38). Even though it is 92 percentile, I am kind of disappointed with it. The main reason is that I knew I messed up my verbal. Somewhere in between, I got so engrossed and totally lost track of my timing. I usually check every 5-10 minutes or so, but not this time. I soon realized that I was on question 21 with only 29 minutes remaining.
I tried to hurry up and actually reached 31 in the next 12-15 odd minutes. Some easy SC and CR, but then horrors. The longest and most convoluted RC yet (the others were not great but were not bad). At this point I was at Q35 with around 4-5 minutes left. I pretty much skimmed it and answered whatever looked right. There was 1 SC which I answered, and literally just guessed the final 2 CR questions without even reading them properly.
I was expecting something terrible, however, with a V38 (and what were nothing more than random guesses on almost 7-8 questions), I realize I must have been at a higher level and my score probably took at nosedive at the end.
Usually, in my preps, my verbals had been consistently over 40 (42-44). I noticed that my GMAT Prep verbal scores were lower than Manhattan's CAT (I think that Manhattan or other guides just don't get the GMAT style of verbal questions and are far too easy), usually around 34-38. But I had always finished my tests. I had realised that my problem was SC and I therefore worked almost exclusively tightening this up in the week or two leading up to the GMAT. I did see an improvement in the last test before my exam (1 day before).
While my verbal score is in sync with my GMAT prep scores (actually a little better), I can't shake the feeling that those 7-8 random guess questions probably did have some effect on it. I could also argue that had I gone faster, it would have lead to more errors and brought me to the same level. I just don't know.
I have seen the master thread and BB's constant reminder that everyone thinks they could have done better after the test. And it's killing me. Anyhow, I don;t have a lot of time left before R2 deadlines, and I will focus first on getting my apps through. If I get a round of dings, then perhaps it's back to the drawing board for R2 GMAT. I do have a very high GPA (4.0), 5 years of work experience in a bio-tech field, and other factors that will hopefully aid my application.
Oh yes, I used Manhattan guide books (all 8 of them), OG12, GMAT Club material (a lot of stuff here on these forums), and did the Manhattan CAT and the GMAT Prep. I would like to give a big shout out to the GMATclub community. My score probably did cross the 700+ mark thanks to a lot of advice from here. Perhaps the motivation to give it one last shot will linger.
This is probably a mixture of a report, rant, a self-pitying blog. Just had to get it off my chest.
I tried to hurry up and actually reached 31 in the next 12-15 odd minutes. Some easy SC and CR, but then horrors. The longest and most convoluted RC yet (the others were not great but were not bad). At this point I was at Q35 with around 4-5 minutes left. I pretty much skimmed it and answered whatever looked right. There was 1 SC which I answered, and literally just guessed the final 2 CR questions without even reading them properly.
I was expecting something terrible, however, with a V38 (and what were nothing more than random guesses on almost 7-8 questions), I realize I must have been at a higher level and my score probably took at nosedive at the end.
Usually, in my preps, my verbals had been consistently over 40 (42-44). I noticed that my GMAT Prep verbal scores were lower than Manhattan's CAT (I think that Manhattan or other guides just don't get the GMAT style of verbal questions and are far too easy), usually around 34-38. But I had always finished my tests. I had realised that my problem was SC and I therefore worked almost exclusively tightening this up in the week or two leading up to the GMAT. I did see an improvement in the last test before my exam (1 day before).
While my verbal score is in sync with my GMAT prep scores (actually a little better), I can't shake the feeling that those 7-8 random guess questions probably did have some effect on it. I could also argue that had I gone faster, it would have lead to more errors and brought me to the same level. I just don't know.
I have seen the master thread and BB's constant reminder that everyone thinks they could have done better after the test. And it's killing me. Anyhow, I don;t have a lot of time left before R2 deadlines, and I will focus first on getting my apps through. If I get a round of dings, then perhaps it's back to the drawing board for R2 GMAT. I do have a very high GPA (4.0), 5 years of work experience in a bio-tech field, and other factors that will hopefully aid my application.
Oh yes, I used Manhattan guide books (all 8 of them), OG12, GMAT Club material (a lot of stuff here on these forums), and did the Manhattan CAT and the GMAT Prep. I would like to give a big shout out to the GMATclub community. My score probably did cross the 700+ mark thanks to a lot of advice from here. Perhaps the motivation to give it one last shot will linger.
This is probably a mixture of a report, rant, a self-pitying blog. Just had to get it off my chest.
subhashghosh
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Joined: 16 Nov 2010
Last visit: 24 Jun 2024
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Which B-Schools are you targetting, you might want to compare your GMAT with their scores in th class profile. Also, are you an Indian IT Male applicant ? If you want to apply in R2, I think there isn't a lot of time to retake GMAT, and do the other necessary things for applications.
Posts: 188
710 is a decent score. I don't think retake is required
Congratulations!
By the way, how well did you on your practice test here: 2-days-left-should-i-write-that-last-cat-test-or-123446.html ?
Retake: should-i-retake-gmat-thread-retaking-gmat-strategies-83339.html
_________________
By the way, how well did you on your practice test here: 2-days-left-should-i-write-that-last-cat-test-or-123446.html ?
Retake: should-i-retake-gmat-thread-retaking-gmat-strategies-83339.html
_________________
Congrats on the score! A 710 is an excellent performance. To be honest, I would probably let it go and focus on the rest of the application process. Your GMAT score, GPA, and work experience are all assets. It's time to work on the other stuff.
And thanks for sharing your experiences and observations on the GMAT. Your debrief will help others in the preparation.
And thanks for sharing your experiences and observations on the GMAT. Your debrief will help others in the preparation.
bb
Thanks bb. The practice test went ok, but I had to reset my answer pool and I did end up remembering a fair amount of questions, so it didn't probably give me actual score.
I think a lot was probably the night before and the lack of a restful sleep (even though I went to bed early: too many strange dreams)
I just want to thank you and others like bmillan01 for doing such a good job with gmat club. Without them as a beacon of light and hope, many of us would be lost in the dark mire of GMAT and B-school apps.
FYI: I, and I suspect a hoard of others, probably first found their way here from the reviews on GMAT books on Amazon (yours and others). Good job and keep that going too. It really catches people's attention and eventually draws them here.
That is a great score...not too sure if a re-take is necessary
Welcome to GMAT purgatory!
I have a 710 too and after thinking every morning about retaking (and after 2 dings) I've finally decided to retake. But due to extensive travel, I'm not doing justice to my decision!! And since its only around 1.5 months left for R2, balancing between application and GMAT is becoming really burdensome. I'm trying to hang in there-- doing GMAT on flights, hotel and even at "The Bund" in Shanghai lol!
The thing is that if you're applying to R2 this year, you really really need to chalk out a balanced plan and STICK to it. Otherwise you're just gonna get so lost in everything that you may want to postpone apps to another year.
_________________
I have a 710 too and after thinking every morning about retaking (and after 2 dings) I've finally decided to retake. But due to extensive travel, I'm not doing justice to my decision!! And since its only around 1.5 months left for R2, balancing between application and GMAT is becoming really burdensome. I'm trying to hang in there-- doing GMAT on flights, hotel and even at "The Bund" in Shanghai lol!
The thing is that if you're applying to R2 this year, you really really need to chalk out a balanced plan and STICK to it. Otherwise you're just gonna get so lost in everything that you may want to postpone apps to another year.
_________________
My GMAT debrief: https://gmatclub.com/forum/from-620-to-710-my-gmat-journey-114437.html
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