First Attempt : 600 (Q45 V31) - Devasted

Question

Hi all

So I took my first GMAT today and scored an absolutely pathetic 600 with a Q45 and V31. What comes to me as an absolute suprise and disappointment is my verbal score. It's always been my strong suit as is evident from all my mock scores below, and I thought I perfomed extremely well on the section during the exam. I knew exactly why I was eliminating and choosing my answers apart from maybe 2-3 questions.

My mock scores have been as follows

Manhattan CAT's
Test 1 - 730 (Q49 V41)
Test 2 - 660 (Q44 V36)
Test 3 - 720 (Q46 V42)
Test 4 - 690 (Q45 V39) 
Test 5 - 700 (Q42 V42)
Test 6 - attempted only Quant Section - Q47

Official Prep
Test 1 - 720 (Q49 V40)
Test 2 - 700 (Q44 V41)
Test 3 - 640 (Q39 V38)
Test 4 - 770 (Q49 V47)
Test 5 - 720 (Q45 V44)
Test 6 (a day before the actual exam) - 760 (Q50 V44)

I cancelled my score, and will be taking it in 16 days again. My second attempt will be my final one, I won't be able to after that and to be honest, I wouldn't want to either.

I started preparing around 3rd week November, and have completely devoted myself daily towards this (>10hr/day). I gave up my social life, sleep, diet and would do it all over again if it means that I'll be able to achieve my desired score, which is anything above 700.

I'll get started on it from tonight itself again, but honestly I don't know if just repeating all that I did again will change anything. I'm motivated but lost, determined but at a loss for an approach.

Would highly appreciate anything, absolutely anything that would help me improve and not make me walk out of the center with the same look on my face as today. Will be happy to provide any other details required.

Thanks

Posted from my mobile device

EducationAisle · Answer

Looking at your mocks, the GMAT score does look like an anomaly.

So, put this attempt behind you, and give the next one with all positivity!

egmat · Answer

Hey  AG1999 ,

I am really sorry to hear that you could not ace the test. It's a gut-wrenching feeling I tell you!

Based on the information you have provided in your debrief, I wanted to share some insights -

Manhattan Mocks   :

Quant Score Average: 45
Quant Score Range: 7 points!
Verbal Score Average: 40
Verbal Score Range: 6 points!

Official Mocks   :

Quant Score Average: 46
Quant Score Range: 11 points!
Verbal Score Average: 42
Verbal Score Range: 9 points!

If I average out both - your test score is actually in line with your Mock score, but your Verbal scores aren't. For this, I would need your ESR to figure out what happened on the test. However, the fluctuation in your Verbal scores tells me that your Mocks are influenced by the timing.   Tell me, do you rush at the end of Mocks?

It's commendable what you sacrificed for the exam but I need you to sacrifice one last time.   If you do plan to give this as your last attempt, do postpone it since your scores clearly depict that this is not an anomaly . (Especially for Quant)

Also, can you take a Sigma-X Mock:  https://success.e-gmat.com/Sigma-X-Mock  and write to me here:  dhananjay@e-gmat.com .

Let me help you achieve your potential!

Regards,
Dhananjay(aka DJ)

Archit3110 · Answer

Was it an online or at center exam? were the mocks given in a simulated environment just like the exam you gave?
for variance in actual exam vs mock scores its always better to get an ESR .
No one got a desired score in very first attempt , dont give up on your dreams just because of a GMAT score.. wish you the best ahead !!

AG1999 · Answer

I hope that was the case today. Am back to preparing and trying to identify conceptual gaps and areas where I may have gone wrong and retaking mocks in a strict test like environment, like the one today. Thanks for the support!

AG1999 · Answer

It was at the center. The center was nice, punctual. Only disturbance was the construction going on on the floor above with constant drilling sounds but I don't want to make any excuses for my performance.

I realized I may have given the mocks in an environment not entirely like it was today, and today I think i got carried away and wasted a lot of time in double checking all my quant answers just because it mattered so much. In contrast, in the mocks I didn't do so because I wasn't afraid of the consequences. Same for verbal. Making attempts to improve this and incorporate all lessons learnt from the test environment today.

Thanks for your wishes, hopefully the second time's the charm.

happypuppy · Answer

You are on right track!
I have just one advice. 
Without knowing what went wrong, it is not worth sacrificing things just for the sake of it. You can take time, I hope you have some time, even if not >10hrs a day.
ESR can help you as well unless you can figure it out on your own/with a help from experts.

AG1999 · Answer

Thanks for sharing the insights. As I mentioned in my response to Archit below, I did not really rush on my mocks as much as disregarded their consequences. Timing was tought, but never for verbal. Even today, I finished the section in time and was so confident that I'd made up for my mistakes in quant but like we all know, that didn't happen. 
I haven't booked my second attempt as of now, I'll analyse my abilities and performance, and see when would be a suitable date, although the sooner the better.

I'll write the sigma mock you have linked and update you.

Thanks for your time.

AG1999 · Answer

Understood. Is it possible to get an ESR for a cancelled score?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

600 with a Q45 and V31.

Here's a Verbal student (6 hours SA tutoring) I helped go from V31 to V40 in roughly 30 days. There may be some helpful insight/tips you can take from the post.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-online- ... 68599.html

egmat · Answer

Hey  AG1999 ,

Thank you for responding.

Your Verbal score does seem like an anomaly. To answer your question about the ESR - Yes, you can order an ESR for a canceled score too. (You can find information about this here: (  https://www.mba.com/frequently-asked-questions/gmat-exam/scores/enhanced-score-report#question6  )

I will look forward to looking at your Sigma-X Mock score!

By the way, once you are done with the Mock, I will also help you understand where your weak areas are and how you can chart out an improvement plan! Just write to me once you are done.

All the best for your Mock and stay positive bud.

Regards,
DJ

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

First Attempt : 600 (Q45 V31) - Devasted

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards