Dear people,
I am struggling with making the decision to give up or to try another GMAT test. I will explain why.
First of all, if the same situation is already asked or if I am on the wrong place for this topic, sorry. Just tell me haha.
I am a Dutchmen that wants to do the Finance Master at the Erasmus University which starts at September 2019. Last year, the study was fully occupied at the 4th of April 2018, so time is sparse. I need to get a 600 GMAT score minimal. In case I cannot make this study, I have a good alternative so it is not the end of the world if I fail to get to this University.
At the 9th of February 2019 I had my first attempt, which was a horrible attempt: I missed the test due to a traffic jam and besides that, my navigation did not work anymore (first time in my life lol). I was 10 minutes too late, while I was 75 minutes too early in the city where I took the test. 250 dollar gone. I was totally stressed out and even forgot where the parking lot was...
At the 16th of February 2019 I gave it another try. I made it to the test (yeaaahh) but scored a disappointing 500. Scores: (Q 37 ; V 21). I was really surprised of the verbal score because I have followed more than 4 year of English taught courses for my bachelor and master here (although my grammar is not good but still). I was exhausted at the verbal part, I read e.g. RC texts and I just did not understand it and gambled the answers.
My preparation was as follows:
Diagnostic tests chronological order:
-GMAT OffPrep 1: 470 (Q 29; V 25)
-London Business School Simulation Test: 500-530 (Q 32-35 ; V 28-29)
-GMAT OffPrep 2: 450 ( Q 36; V16)… I skipped some verbal questions due to lack of concentration.
-Kaplan diagnostic test: 550 ( Q 40; V 25)
Materials:
-I think I started at the end of November but only with rather limited time (maximum 10 hours a week). At the 4th of February, I started with the full time preparation for the GMAT Test (so learning every day until the last GMAT test).
-I did not pay for any materials.
I used the following sites:
- This site (GMATclub). I made many quant questions on this site and also found a lot of useful information at this site (thanks for it!).
- Majortests site (did 90% of the tests).
- I used a lot of information at the Gmathacks site.
- The GMAT Off Prep site with all the questions.
- Some other sites but only very limited.
I know that my preparation was not optimal, but I follow a BA master currently and have other responsibilities so my time is pretty scarce. I do not want to screw up my current master because of the GMAT, so my current master is priority #1. I only have time left for just one GMAT test.
So my two question are:
- Do you think it is possible to get a 600 score in my case if I plan a third (second attempt thus actually) at the end of March 2019, considering that I spend about 2 a 3 hours study time per day for 3 weeks for the GMAT?
I am willing to pay for some material but not too much (maximum 60 dollar). For example an OG with 1000 pages seems too much for me considering the limited time I have.
- Is it really possible to improve my verbal score to e.g. 30+ in the limited time I have?
Thanks guys!
EDIT: I also have an ESR of my GMAT attempt. If you want to see it, I can tell some details about it:)