Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 19:30 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 19:30
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.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
DangerPenguin
Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Last visit: 22 Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 90
Kudos: 123
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
mika84
Joined: 10 Aug 2014
Last visit: 23 Oct 2019
Posts: 41
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
mika84
Joined: 10 Aug 2014
Last visit: 23 Oct 2019
Posts: 41
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V34
Products:
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
DangerPenguin
Joined: 10 Sep 2014
Last visit: 22 Dec 2014
Posts: 90
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 25
Posts: 90
Kudos: 123
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dang, did you retake and score better/same/worse?
User avatar
GMATPill
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Last visit: 17 Sep 2020
Posts: 2,260
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 8
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,260
Kudos: 3,852
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Definitely don't underestimate the psychological elements of the test. It's quite a mental marathon to stay focused for a long period of time. Internalize the message of extreme positivity we note in this blog post: https://www.gmatpill.com/about/studying- ... trategies/

And when you test yourself again, try testing yourself here and see how you do: www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-test/practice-test
Students generally report scoring within +-30 points from what they are scoring on the GMATPrep software tests -- so give it a shot and learn from any mistakes you make along the way.
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,777
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,777
Kudos: 13,051
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi DangerPenguin and mika84,

Many Test Takers work under the assumption that "taking lots of practice CATs" will make them into better Test Takers. That is, strictly speaking, NOT true. A practice CAT is essentially a "measuring device", much in the same way that a scale is a way to measure your weight. Standing on a scale won't help you get in better shape and it won't make you heavier or lighter - it will give you a measurement that you can compare other measurements to. Taking CATs should help you become familiar with the "feel" and format of the Test, and it will certainly point out your "weak spots", but THAT only happens if you take the ENTIRE CAT (including the Essay and IR sections) under as-close-to-realistic conditions as possible.

It sounds like you were emphasizing volume of CATs over everything else. If you weren't taking the ENTIRE CAT and/or you weren't doing so under realistic conditions, then your results on those practice CATs wasn't realistic. Barring some big surprise on Test Day that threw off your performance, the Official GMAT gave you the score that you earned/deserved.

Now that you've attempted to do things "your way", you should try something different. Business Schools don't care if you take the GMAT more than once, but based on the results that you described, a new approach (that focused on consistent tactics and approaches) is warranted.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
avatar
cchu92
Joined: 21 Nov 2014
Last visit: 20 Jan 2017
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
Products:
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V42
Posts: 9
Kudos: 172
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
You had 1 second left before finishing essay portion... from that I could tell you were simply not following real test conditions when doing practice exams. Not to mention the fact that you had not prepared for the IR section. Of course luck plays a role in GMAT a lot, so try retaking it after some more realistic preparations especially under time constraints (and DON'T skip essay or IR when practicing this time).
Moderator:
Founder
43158 posts