Last visit was: 26 Apr 2026, 19:45 It is currently 26 Apr 2026, 19:45
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
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 07 Jun 2014, 17:11
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I took the GMAT the first time January 2012 and though I thought I was prepared (having spent about 2-2.5months), I got a disappointing 460. Not wanting to give up, I decided to give myself some time and since work experience is of importance for any reputed MBA Program, I decided to focus on my career and when the time was right to retake the test - and with better preparation. With the intension of beginning my MBA in Fall 2014 (this year), I decided to retake the GMAT in October 2013 and well, in spite of spending more time on preparation etc., I ended up scoring a sad 500. I'm not aiming at getting into any of the top 30 schools but a decent school with a decent ranking is what I'm aiming toward. To make myself feel better, I applied for the full time MBA Program with Internship at Loughborough University in UK and got accepted. I am still bent upon going to school in the US (I'm from Canada so its closer to home for me than UK). But, after two terrible attempts I've lost all confidence in myself to be able to score well at all! I officially feel like a failure and need help! BIG TIME!!!

Anybody with any sort of input or help would be awesome!


Thank you
avatar
ShannonWong
avatar
Joined: 04 Jan 2012
Last visit: 25 Oct 2021
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
65
Given Kudos: 12
Posts: 23
Kudos: 65
Officially feel like a failure Updated on: 25 Oct 2021, 03:25
Originally posted by ShannonWong on 08 Jun 2014, 02:33.
Last edited by ShannonWong on 25 Oct 2021, 03:25, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Deleted
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
 [1]
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
 [1]
Officially feel like a failure 08 Jun 2014, 07:32
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I usually work from 8.30am to almost 6-6.30pm (at least two-three times a week), so by the time i'm able to sit down and start studying, its almost 8.30-9pm. As expected, there isn't a lot of motivation or energy left in me to understand RC & CR strategies, so I just try to get whatever done and hit the bed and the routine begins all over. Not having slept a lot over the weekdays, I tend to sleep in over the weekends and by the time I'm awake its almost 9.30-10am. I would say, weekends are the only time when I'm able to get anything productively done.
As for the study material, I've used the following:
1. Official Guide for practice questions.
2. Power score CR Bible - but I wasn't able to finish a lot of the questions in there before either of my tests.
3. Manhattan SC Guide - don't think I even really opened this book.
4. Princeton Verbal
5. Manhattan GMAT guide for Verbal

I've always been a numbers person, so I actually have more difficulty in Verbal than I do in Quant (hence not having a lot of guides for Quant above). Above everything, my biggest fear is the time. I've done the Kaplan free tests a few times and always managed to score 580-600 (not a great score but so much better than my actual) and I've never been able to complete the Mock tests from the GMAT website. So I suppose I fear the time aspect more than anything else. I start panicking even before I start the test which affects my concentration and I'm therefore unable to get the right answers. In addition to that, I think I'm just bad at verbal. English is my native language so I know i shouldn't be having much trouble with it, but I do...

I hope the information above helps. I need an approach to overcome time-management aspect and not panic.


Thanks a lot!
avatar
ubus
avatar
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
Last visit: 10 May 2015
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 2
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Posts: 7
Kudos: 2
Officially feel like a failure 09 Jun 2014, 03:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

You may want to give e-gmat a shot for Verbal

In case you really wanna get a 700 ++ and are the self study types.

Get all the MGMAT quant guides and read them cover to cover and practice regularly.
The MGMAT navigator is a good product to try and pace yourself.

Else you may want to consider empower gmat ..a good course..value for money and feels like tutoring...

As far as loosing hope is concerned... there a lot of inspiration all over the forum... recovery from 420 to 740 and a lot more....
Just depends how badly you wanna beat the gmat :twisted:

This should get you at least to a 650...

All the best!!
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 09 Jun 2014, 05:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ubus
Hi,

You may want to give e-gmat a shot for Verbal

In case you really wanna get a 700 ++ and are the self study types.

Get all the MGMAT quant guides and read them cover to cover and practice regularly.
The MGMAT navigator is a good product to try and pace yourself.

Else you may want to consider empower gmat ..a good course..value for money and feels like tutoring...

As far as loosing hope is concerned... there a lot of inspiration all over the forum... recovery from 420 to 740 and a lot more....
Just depends how badly you wanna beat the gmat :twisted:

This should get you at least to a 650...

All the best!!
Show more



Thank you Ubus for your input.
Do I start by taking one of the GMAT tests from the website to see where exactly I stand?


Thanks
avatar
ubus
avatar
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
Last visit: 10 May 2015
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 2
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Posts: 7
Kudos: 2
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 00:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Tests are a precious resource and must not be taken until you ve worked on your weaker areas.

I would recommend taking a test once you ve partially covered the recommended study material.
GMAT's not just another test. It tests application of knowledge..
its unlikely that u ll have any significant improvement unless u have your concepts crystal clear.

All the best!

Regards

Ubus
avatar
ShannonWong
avatar
Joined: 04 Jan 2012
Last visit: 25 Oct 2021
Posts: 23
Own Kudos:
65
Given Kudos: 12
Posts: 23
Kudos: 65
Officially feel like a failure Updated on: 25 Oct 2021, 03:25
Originally posted by ShannonWong on 10 Jun 2014, 03:17.
Last edited by ShannonWong on 25 Oct 2021, 03:25, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Deleted
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 05:31
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ubus
Tests are a precious resource and must not be taken until you ve worked on your weaker areas.

I would recommend taking a test once you ve partially covered the recommended study material.
GMAT's not just another test. It tests application of knowledge..
its unlikely that u ll have any significant improvement unless u have your concepts crystal clear.

All the best!

Regards

Ubus
Show more


Ok, so how about timing? When I do practice questions, how should I be timing myself so I know I'm not going over the amount I should actually be spending for each, say word problem or reading comp. question. I've come to learn that the harder questions are towards the end of the test and the questions at the beginning of the test are of medium level. How do I time myself when I practice?


Thank you so much for your advice :-D
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 05:43
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi ShannonWong
What do you know... Seems like I have a problem with quant too! :cry: my last score was 500 (39Q 20V).
I will get a copy of the GMAT Club Quant as recommended by you. Your debrief has contains materials you used, so I will make sure to get them :-D as a side note, I was able to get all the Manhattan GMAT Guides (for both verbal and quant). Are they sufficient?
Quite honestly, w.r.t the GMAT Prep Mock tests, I understand they are the best simulators of the actual, which is why I'm wondering if I should begin my prep by attempting one of the tests before I start preparing again or should I deep dive into the material, understand the concepts etc and then do a practice test?
Also, how would you say I should keep calm? My nervousness gets the best of me during an actual test and more often than not, leads to me either not finishing or just not being able to perform well! I live in a home with a family of 5 and there isn't a lot of quiet room :-S


Thank you again so much for helping me get through! :)
avatar
ubus
avatar
Joined: 03 Mar 2014
Last visit: 10 May 2015
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
2
Given Kudos: 2
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (D) Fisher '17 (A) Merage '17 (A$) Madison '17 (II) Owen '17 (S)
Posts: 7
Kudos: 2
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 06:12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,

Actually thats not the way the GMAT works.. its adaptive... as and when you get right answers the exam keeps getting difficult...
You may want to youtube it and see how exactly it works in detail. Spend some time understanding how this test works... you cant beat it unless
you know how it works.
As far as timing goes the MGMAT navigator is a fabulous tool to keep a track of ur timing ( unless you are an excel person who can maintain logs )

If you are tight on budget... a stopwatch and an excel sheet will help you track the timing.

Because GMAT prep gets really close to the real one its important you don't waste it in early stages of prep...especially when you are a retaker and you have a fair idea on whr u stand.
You dont wanna work hard studying all ur material and then not have a test left to check whr u stand...( re taking a test is not the best thing to do..even one repeat question can skew ur score)
Looking at your split u ll hv to spend time on Quant as well as Verbal.
the MGMAT Quant guides should be enough... however on verbal it really depends from person to person....
Verbal guides did nt help me too much.... e-gmat works like a charm...especially for non natives....

the GMAT Tests are brilliant... but they are gruesome... until you are Q47 ..I wud nt recommend them...

Looking at ur Verbal score... i d suggest the e-gmat course...

All the best!!
avatar
Andrew2489
avatar
Joined: 10 Jun 2014
Last visit: 21 Jun 2014
Posts: 6
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 17:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
nehas8
I took the GMAT the first time January 2012 and though I thought I was prepared (having spent about 2-2.5months), I got a disappointing 460. Not wanting to give up, I decided to give myself some time and since work experience is of importance for any reputed MBA Program, I decided to focus on my career and when the time was right to retake the test - and with better preparation. With the intension of beginning my MBA in Fall 2014 (this year), I decided to retake the GMAT in October 2013 and well, in spite of spending more time on preparation etc., I ended up scoring a sad 500. I'm not aiming at getting into any of the top 30 schools but a decent school with a decent ranking is what I'm aiming toward. To make myself feel better, I applied for the full time MBA Program with Internship at Loughborough University in UK and got accepted. I am still bent upon going to school in the US (I'm from Canada so its closer to home for me than UK). But, after two terrible attempts I've lost all confidence in myself to be able to score well at all! I officially feel like a failure and need help! BIG TIME!!!

Anybody with any sort of input or help would be awesome!


Thank you
Show more

Definitely being too hard on yourself. It's not the end of the world.
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 10 Jun 2014, 18:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Andrew2489
nehas8
I took the GMAT the first time January 2012 and though I thought I was prepared (having spent about 2-2.5months), I got a disappointing 460. Not wanting to give up, I decided to give myself some time and since work experience is of importance for any reputed MBA Program, I decided to focus on my career and when the time was right to retake the test - and with better preparation. With the intension of beginning my MBA in Fall 2014 (this year), I decided to retake the GMAT in October 2013 and well, in spite of spending more time on preparation etc., I ended up scoring a sad 500. I'm not aiming at getting into any of the top 30 schools but a decent school with a decent ranking is what I'm aiming toward. To make myself feel better, I applied for the full time MBA Program with Internship at Loughborough University in UK and got accepted. I am still bent upon going to school in the US (I'm from Canada so its closer to home for me than UK). But, after two terrible attempts I've lost all confidence in myself to be able to score well at all! I officially feel like a failure and need help! BIG TIME!!!

Anybody with any sort of input or help would be awesome!


Thank you

Definitely being too hard on yourself. It's not the end of the world.
Show more



I know, but it would be nice to get an MBA from a good school :-D
User avatar
AbhiJ
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 May 2010
Last visit: 30 Jul 2022
Posts: 793
Own Kudos:
648
Given Kudos: 192
Schools: Goizueta '15 Tepper '15 Anderson '15 Darden '15 Georgia Tech '15 NUS '15 Fisher '15 HEC '15 Erasmus '15 Duke '15 Jones '15 Kenan-Flagler '15 Melbourne '15 LBS '14 Krannert '15 Ivey '15 W.P. Carey
GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35
Posts: 793
Kudos: 648
Officially feel like a failure 11 Jun 2014, 00:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
nehas8
I took the GMAT the first time January 2012 and though I thought I was prepared (having spent about 2-2.5months), I got a disappointing 460. Not wanting to give up, I decided to give myself some time and since work experience is of importance for any reputed MBA Program, I decided to focus on my career and when the time was right to retake the test - and with better preparation. With the intention of beginning my MBA in Fall 2014 (this year), I decided to retake the GMAT in October 2013 and well, in spite of spending more time on preparation etc., I ended up scoring a sad 500. I'm not aiming at getting into any of the top 30 schools but a decent school with a decent ranking is what I'm aiming toward. To make myself feel better, I applied for the full time MBA Program with Internship at Loughborough University in UK and got accepted. I am still bent upon going to school in the US (I'm from Canada so its closer to home for me than UK). But, after two terrible attempts I've lost all confidence in myself to be able to score well at all! I officially feel like a failure and need help! BIG TIME!!!

Anybody with any sort of input or help would be awesome!


Thank you
Show more

Before starting to prepare for GMAT one must be in good physical and mental conditions. GMAT and work will take a lot out of you and unless you are balancing things you will run out of steam in a few months. Saying this because you have mentioned that you are not able to study after work. You have to treat GMAT like a part-time job which you would turn into a venture (MBA :)) in future. We do not know how stressful is your job and if your job is super stressful you would be too tired at the end of day.
The point is somehow you would need to find 10-20 quality hours every week and invest anywhere from 3-6 months to get to 650. If you are a morning person try getting 1-2 hour early and study.
avatar
manuelpalomares
avatar
Joined: 05 Dec 2011
Last visit: 22 Jul 2015
Posts: 15
Own Kudos:
2
 [1]
Status:Taking the GMAT
Affiliations: ?
Location: Spain
Concentration: Finance, Entrepreneurship
Schools: CBS '16 Wharton '16
GMAT Date: 10-09-2013
GPA: 3.3
WE:Analyst (Finance: Investment Banking)
Schools: CBS '16 Wharton '16
Posts: 15
Kudos: 2
 [1]
Officially feel like a failure 11 Jun 2014, 00:31
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Never give up!! Good luck the next time!
User avatar
rohanGmat
User avatar
Joined: 18 May 2012
Last visit: 25 Jan 2024
Posts: 75
Own Kudos:
102
Given Kudos: 21
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Posts: 75
Kudos: 102
Officially feel like a failure 21 Jun 2014, 05:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Neha
After reading all the posts I would just like to add that you should worry too much about timing, initially. Timing is a consequence that should be a natural outcome of practice. Also practice more official content, such as question bank and focus.

Hope this helps.
avatar
nehas8
avatar
Joined: 27 Dec 2011
Last visit: 05 Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
1
Concentration: Marketing, Operations
GMAT Date: 10-24-2012
Posts: 7
Kudos: 1
Officially feel like a failure 23 Jun 2014, 16:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
AbhiJ
nehas8
I took the GMAT the first time January 2012 and though I thought I was prepared (having spent about 2-2.5months), I got a disappointing 460. Not wanting to give up, I decided to give myself some time and since work experience is of importance for any reputed MBA Program, I decided to focus on my career and when the time was right to retake the test - and with better preparation. With the intention of beginning my MBA in Fall 2014 (this year), I decided to retake the GMAT in October 2013 and well, in spite of spending more time on preparation etc., I ended up scoring a sad 500. I'm not aiming at getting into any of the top 30 schools but a decent school with a decent ranking is what I'm aiming toward. To make myself feel better, I applied for the full time MBA Program with Internship at Loughborough University in UK and got accepted. I am still bent upon going to school in the US (I'm from Canada so its closer to home for me than UK). But, after two terrible attempts I've lost all confidence in myself to be able to score well at all! I officially feel like a failure and need help! BIG TIME!!!

Anybody with any sort of input or help would be awesome!


Thank you

Before starting to prepare for GMAT one must be in good physical and mental conditions. GMAT and work will take a lot out of you and unless you are balancing things you will run out of steam in a few months. Saying this because you have mentioned that you are not able to study after work. You have to treat GMAT like a part-time job which you would turn into a venture (MBA :)) in future. We do not know how stressful is your job and if your job is super stressful you would be too tired at the end of day.
The point is somehow you would need to find 10-20 quality hours every week and invest anywhere from 3-6 months to get to 650. If you are a morning person try getting 1-2 hour early and study.
Show more


Hi AbhiJ
Thank you for your recommendation :) I am hoping to be ready in the next 4months, to be able to give the GMAT by October end - November first week max!! :) Let's hope for the best! So much encouragement - i feel good already :-D
Moderator:
bb
Founder
43163 posts