Verbal Section destroyed - Can we challenge GMAT score?

Question

Hi All 
I took the GMAT on 22nd July and was destroyed to see the GMAT score. 
I scored 590 Q47 and V25. 
I expected 46 + in Quant, but the big disappointment was verbal section. I never thought and expected that I will receive such a low score. 
If the paper did not went well, I can think that verbal score is low, but I was pretty confident after doing the verbal questions and definitely thought I should get 40+ marks as I was able to apply fundamentals to SC and able to deduce CR questions and able to work out RC question.

Honestly, this is my lowest verbal score ever. During the Practice test, I was consistently getting 35+ in verbal section and day before yesterday, in my final practice test, From the last few weeks, I was only concentrating on verbal section and was improving well and thus I got a 41 verbal score in my last practice test couple of days back.

I dont know what to do now. Is there a way I can challenge GMAT verbal score as I am confident that I should have got more than 25 marks for sure?

I was part of the group who were given additional Integrated reasoning questions which came immediately after the verbal section.

So I feel that the additional integrated reasoning question might have caused this issue.

I have heard similar things from other gmat groups (beatthegmat) and there are other persons who have faced similar issues.

So if other people who have faced similar issues, please respond here so that we can make a joint case to challenge the scoring system.

Thanks in advance.

Sumit

WishMasterUA · Answer

Dont give up!!

If your test results for verbal were more than 35 you shoul obviously reshedule your test ad try to improve your verbal.

Best of luck

AMUSE · Answer

hmm. I took the GMAT and the extra portion this month. I got the highest verbal score on the real GMAT and lowest (lower than when I started studying) for quant. But I believe this is somewhat normal because quant in real GMAT is more difficult than most prep material. But your case is different since verbal on real GMAT is similar to GMATprep and OG. So, if I were you I would take a break, study a bit more, and sit for it again.

sumitjain3 · Answer

Hi
Yeah I know that Retake is the option.

But what will be the probability if similar thing happened do not happen again during retake.

The thing is that I am 100% confident that my performance in GMAT verbal section was much better than 25 score and it should have been definitely around 38+.

So I have decided to challenge the GMAT score.

Thanks

sudhir18n · Answer

I can understand your situation sumit. Can you give us the break up of all your practice tests and scores.

bakfed · Answer

I don't think you'd be able to challenge your score, as that just simply draws too much controversy. If one challenges, the next one will want to as well. Then the next and the next. Where does it end?

My suggestion is to not think about challenging it anymore - what's done is done. Go for a retake and really pound the verbal. It could very well be the testing anxiety that got to you. Don't give up on it, that's for sure.

whiplash2411 · Answer

I really don't think anyone can be sure about their score to that extent and a 13 point jump is incredibly great. There are a lot of people who have consistently scored well on practice tests but not on the GMAT. Challenging the GMAT doesn't seem a viable option to me. I'm not sure how the integrated reasoning section will affect scores in the other section as well. That would mean a LOT of trouble for the GMAC especially if you volunteered to take the Integrated Reasoning Portion. Sorry, but I really don't think challenging is even an option.

DevilDoggNC · Answer

https://www.mba.com/mbacommunity/MBA_com ... score.aspx

bakfed · Answer

I find the MBA website a bit amusing on this topic. According to MBA.com, it says "If the item challenge affects your score, an updated Official Score Report will be sent to schools that received a copy of your previous score report." How does that change one's score though? Since it's a CAT, should a test-taker's answer be right but marked wrong, it would've affected the entire outcome of the type of questions that follow that specific question. How can MBA.com "update" such score then?

DevilDoggNC · Answer

All excellent points -- I completely agree with you. Not that many test takers can predict his or her score with a great degree of accuracy (+/- 10 points). A lot of times -- people think they have done pretty poorly and they end up with a better score than expected, and are pleasantly surprised. It also cuts the other way -- people think they have aced the test and they end up with a below par score. I have read so many stories on this and other forums about people who wanted to cancel their scores after the exam -- but then decided not to -- only to end up with a great score. Plus you have those "experimental" questions thrown in the mix --and they certainly influence the proceedings but have no impact on the score.

DevilDoggNC · Answer

Are they possibly referring only to the ESSAY section? I get the impression that the verbal and math sections cannot be challenged -- GMAC verifies those scores 3 times -- and if there are any errors they say that they will "investigate it". I have heard of scoring algorithm issues on the GRE -- and ETS (the testing company for the GRE) offers the candidate another crack at the test free of charge.

Your point is totally valid though -- how can you "correct" a CAT exam, which is based on the premise of adaptive questioning.

whiplash2411 · Answer

The correction is done on a per question basis. I think they check for the right answer to the question and if the applicant's answer matches that. I agree with bakfed on this.

I also really don't think it's possible for GMAC to make a blunder that would give you a 13 point score decrease. The world's best business schools rely on GMAC to give them an accurate indication of your academic potential.

anilwanted · Answer

I took the integrated reason test along with my test last week.
Ater 2 questions in IR section I just randomly selected some options for next 2 and solved 4 more anid again started doing for another 2 ...but all that did not affect my real GMAT score..
I got 49 in my verbal(my best ever including all my practice tests and the my first attempt on real GMAT)

S if you that IR affected your score.
...I do not think so...

Posted from my mobile device

whiplash2411 · Answer

49 in V or 49 in Q?

anilwanted · Answer

damn..it's a typo....I got 40 in Verbal...my bad!

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Verbal Section destroyed - Can we challenge GMAT score?

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