Help - Bombed the first attempt!!

Question

So I haphazardly studied for 3 months prior to the GMAT. I took it this past saturday- completely bombed it as the FLU hit me in the middle of essays and progressed like a speeding train to kill my score.....

So, after being quite upset, the scheduele I am on indicates that last day I can take it for this semester (starts Jan 29th) is the 26th, and my counselors told me they would accept my unofficial score for admissions. I'm planning on taking the test on the 20th so i don't miss any work.

All this being said, I desperately need to brush up on most of the math concepts an the timing of each question. I did get 50% in the qualitative portions, not bad for being sick and unfocused. I need an emergency plan that will have me ready for the test by the 20th.

Help everyone. I don't need to score a 700, as I am ineligible for scholarships at the university because I am an empployee. The lowest score i can get is a 500, although I would rather not push it that low. I work for the university and trying to get in through our tuition remission program, and I do know that alot of the spaces in the program aren't filled yet. I'll be happy with a score in the 600's if possible.

OK, I await your shining wisdom to give me some hope in this dire situation.

artshep · Answer

Only a couple weeks to bone up on the math section is a tough challenge. Can you give us an idea of what concepts specifically you are having trouble with? 

Given the lack of time, I would focus on understanding the core concepts and doing plenty of practice tests in the meantime. 

Let us know where your main problems are occurring.

ericaloc · Answer

Ok, I am pretty good on the Verbal sections, just need to brush up on the reading comprehension and some of the trickier sentence correction. 

Regarding math, I have no background in geomety, so that was tough. I understand the stats pretty well. The tricky algebraic fractions got me, and the number sequences as well. percentages are at medium strength, but ratios got me a little. I haven't conquered math with the exception of finance and accounting in quite a while. (my profession is in finance)

Another area to work on is timing for the math and verbal. I had to punch in the last 5 questions as straight guesses cause I only had a few minutes left.

What i need is a cramming method to trigger my memory or relearn how to do these problems. I have a friend good in math available to help me and we have a the first study session tommorrow. I need to hit some studying everyday until the test.

I have the princeton review books in both verbal and grammar, the cliff's comprehensive review, the crash course for gmat (from princeton), and the GMATPrep software.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

pelihu · Answer

You should check the mba.com website, but I believe that you must wait a minimum of 31 days between attempts, or something like that. I don't believe they will allow you to register within 31 days, and even if you are able to register for the test, I believe they will automatically cancel your score.

Texas_Dawg · Answer

I took the GMAT in mid-November. I got called into an unexpected meeting till late at night the evening before. I was pretty tired going into the exam but thought I was fine. I ended up doing horribly; even worse than my Kaplan diagnostic. 

I was pretty discouraged and figured I just do not test well, etc. I knew I was tired but figured that was also pretty much just an excuse for my bad score.

I decided to take the test again in late December just to make sure. I did nothing related to the GMAT until then. (I had studied a decent amount going into the first test.) The night before I took a few minutes to refresh my memory on some basic math equations from my Kaplan course. Other than that, I did not even think about the GMAT.

Then I went and took the test and did great. Much better than I would have settled for. 

So just take it again and don't stress about it at all until you do. Your illness likely had a lot more to do with your bad score than you think.

ericaloc · Answer

You can take the test once per calendar month, so I'll have to see if there are any other requirements past that. I took it on Dec 30, and I plan to take it again on Jan 20 at the earliest. I can take it as late as the 26th. I'm paying for the test on the 10th, so we'll see how late I can push it. My counselors are being really supportive given the situation and the fact that the semester starts on Jan 29th and i'll be a late registration add.

It was definately the sickness that threw me off, and my head is just now clearing up 5 days later (Yay!). I was scoring semi-decently at the worst when i did my practice tests, but still passing, so there is hope for me yet. If i can get away with a score in the 600's I will be happy. 

Any last minute advice? Planning on doing alot of verbal drills, notecards, practie tests and questions. Have my GMATPrep software in progress, and a friend who is willing to tough it out with me through the math, and a decent in verbal as well.

ericaloc · Answer

I did look on the mba.com site and it does say 31 days, but I am so close to that with my date ranges, I sent them an email asking if I can retake it. I'm hoping they can accomodate the dates if i push it to the 26th.

GoalTexasTech · Answer

You can do it you have to just keep trying.

HongHu · Answer

Study OG diligently as if it is the Bible.

LisaBiz · Answer

erica
I feel your pain. 
I ended up sitting next to someone with bronchitis and filed an incident report because this person would not stop coughing. (??!!!)
Artshep did the Veritasprep, which is what I have been doing major research on. 
I am probably going to begin one of the courses. Just haven't decided when.
I do not have faith in people telling you to "not stress" and those who barely glance at books. I don't know about you, but I am one of those who wants to guarantee myself success. Even if it means spending a $1000-$1500 to do it. How badly do you want to get a good score?
I am being accepted on a "conditional" basis to my MBA program, but have to retake the GMAT by March 15th. 
Good luck, love to hear what you decide.

MBAlad · Answer

Use OG a lot. I also like Kaplan 800 for SC. Would recommend keeping an error log and use this forum A LOT!! Save questions you got wrong in your favourite places so that you can go back to them and take another stab. The single biggest issue for me was nerves on the Quant section. Keep trying and you WILL get what you want.

I remember reading one guys post on here who went from 600-710 after 4 attempts. I'm sure others have made even greater leaps.

ericaloc · Answer

I am taking in on Feb 1, at 12:15. I am already getting nervous <quiver>. I read alot of the chapters assumingly understanding them) and then bomb the quizzes, and I don't know why. Alot of it is that I get tired and cranky and caffeine defficient after several hours. I've been going over verbal this week, and studying every night until the test. What am I doing wrong to loose my focus? My motivational friend helps me keep my focus but I am really discouraged at the moment. Talk about emotions. As soon as I paid for my test, my test anxiety kicked in and there I go. Math is my biggest challenge, and that starts up again next week for my study plan.

What I am finding is that on hand calc, which I am practicing, I make silly miscalcs that I should know better. On verbal, my mind seems to get fuzzy if I get overwhelmed, then it is all downhill. 

All I am shooting for at this point is 600 or better. . . . . . .

BTW, what does OG mean?

Tajik4GMAT · Answer

Offical Guide for the GMAT, 11th edition.

ericaloc · Answer

Thanks, feeling less panicky at the moment, did alright on the practice questions on the actual GMATPrep software so far, with two more sections to go for the night. Many friends encouraging me to be strong. I truley think that if someone doesn't have the support system to support you through the plethera of emotions this test brings out in you, you're in for a bit of a struggle.

Thanks for clarifying the OG, i'll look into it. Is it better than the other books you can get at the bookstores?

todakdw · Answer

Hi Erica,

My suggestion would be that you spend 2 hrs everyday. 45 mins to brush up math concepts. 30 mins to answer PS/DI questions (using all the elimination strategies etc. that any standard book teaches you). 15 mins break and 45 mins of VA practice.

On the weekends, you could take one test under timed conditions. Analyse each test thoroughly to figure out the silly mistakes that can torpedo a score. Make a note of all the common question types that you err on. (Eg: Split infinitive/idiom Qs on VA). So on gmat day, when you see a question of a similar type, a warning bell goes off in your head and makes you extra careful.

I'd say 3-4 full tests and 2 hrs of concentrated effort everday, should propel you well over 600.

I dont really know your background, but if I, a non-native speaker of English could manage 42 on VA with about 2 months of prep, you can too!

Good luck!

ericaloc · Answer

Thanks, the study plan is pretty close to the one my friend has me on. I'll add in some of the aspects you described. Currently I am tackling one topic a night that is new or needs improvement for the majority of the session. I study 2 to 3 hours a night, and drinking coffee with it everytime because that helps me clear my head, and also planning on having coffee the day of the test. Best to be in the same element.

I am also keeping my log of things that are making me miss questions, and realizing that the one aspect of verbal that will shoot down my score is CR. Need alot of practice with that. Decent on RC and SC. Ok on basic math concepts, most algebra, stats. Need help on geometry and working with data sufficiency.

Thanks for all of the support guys. I"ll be posting my progress as it happens to this thread.

HongHu · Answer

If your date is 2/1 and you still haven't touched OG, then you should start it ASAP. This is the only book that you cannot miss. 

When you do the practises, don't just go by the feeling, guess an answer, check the answer, and pass it if it was right. You need to carefully study each option, be very sure why you pick one answer, and still read the OE (official explanation) carefully for each and every options.

Good luck, and be confident.

todakdw · Answer

Hi Erica,

If CR is your weak point, you should use the 1000 CR question bank. Esp. the LSAT CR questions where the answers are deceptively close. The drawback is that reasoning for the answers is missing. So maybe you can use Manhattan Prep CR with LSAT CR?

axl_oz · Answer

Study OG extremely carefully. There are tons of questions with good explanations... It is amazing how many mistakes I make while I am doing some of the problems. Because I think in a certain way but OG thinks in a different way to solve a problem. It is not easy to remember all the techniques but what you will remember always is to solve problems smarter... To be a little bit more vigilant while solving problems. 

CR - Get into the habit of paraphrasing and going through each and every option and striking out each and every option as you feel necessary.

Literally get into the habit of writing (Just as an example below). I spent 2 weeks just writing in this fashion shown below. My strike rate has improved dramatically. 

P - Premise1 (in your own words)
P - Premise2 (in your own words)
C - conclusion (in your own words)

While going through the answer choices remember to write down the answer choices in this fashion.

E - Irrelevant
D - Strengthens BEST ANSWER
C - Out of Scope
B - Weakens
A - huh?? - TOTALLY OUT OF SCOPE.

Sentence correction - People say use Manhattan GMAT. I am yet to start SC using MGMAT. Will let you know how it goes.

IF you need any encouragement... I am giving my GMAT the 4th time!!!!!!!!!! I am sick and tired of studying... But I have no option!!!

ericaloc · Answer

Thanks for the assistance, I've ordered the OG book off of amazon with two day shipping, should have it by tuesday.

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