670+ in Mocks, 560 in GMAT

Question

Hi,

I have been getting scores in the range of 670 to 700 in the various mock tests that I have taken- GMAT official mock, Manhattan, Sigma X e-GMAT, Magoosh etc. I had also taken the mocks under normal exam conditions to remove any unwanted impact on the score.

Today I wrote my first GMAT exam, and I was baffled by my score of 560 (Q 42,V 26). I received some questions that I felt tough in quants, and I expected slightly more, but 42 isn't too far off from what I expected. However, not even in my wildest dreams, did I think of getting anything less than 35 in verbal, even in my worst attempt. I'm trying to figure out where did I mess up in verbal. I'm currently waiting for the ESR report, but as per my research, we can't check what questions did we answer accurate and what we got wrong. Please confirm this.

Also, any help as to how I can improve my verbal score? I have been getting between 35-42 for verbal in my mock tests. So, not even in my worst mock attempt did I score as poorly as 26. I'm just too stressed right now, to focus on anything else. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

The ESR will give a sense how you did on SC, RC, and CR but it won't specifically mention which questions (i.e. question number) you got incorrect.

Consider sharing the ESR here (after wiping any personal info). People may be able to give some specific suggestions based on it.

5 Verbal tips

fdfd97 · Answer

Thank you, yes once I get the ESR, will share it here if you can help me figure out where I went wrong, and what I can focus on improving.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi fdfd97.

A number of different factors typically contribute to people scoring lower on the real GMAT than they did on their practice tests.

To learn what some of those factors are to avoid having a similar result next time you take the GMAT, see this post.

Why Was My GMAT Score Lower Than My Practice Test Scores?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fdfd97,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day didn't go as well as planned. When these types of score drops occur, the two likely "causes" involve either something that was unrealistic during practice or something that was surprising (or not accounted for) on Test Day. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). Once you have your ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you (and if you prefer to not post it publicly, then you can feel free to PM or email it directly to me).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

fdfd97 · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for your reply. Here are my responses:

1. I started studying around January onwards. Typically I studied for about 2 hours daily after work, given working Saturdays, and about 4-5 hours on Sundays.

2. For my preparation, I majorly referred to the Magoosh course, which I believe helped me get a lot of my basics in place. But for other questions, I mainly referred to various questions on different topics on GMAT club, including but not limited to the Daily Butler quizes, compilation of the hardest questions, other compiled question banks etc. on the site.

3. The record of my mocks taken till my exam are as below. 
Magoosh- 30th April- 700- Q41, V44 - For Magoosh verbal mock, there were plenty of repeat questions from earlier practice questions, which is why I got 44, otherwise I guess it would have been about 36-38.
GMAT Official Mock 1- 7th May- 640- Q48, V29
GMAT Club Free Mock- 10th May- 690- Q49, V36
Experts' Global Free Mock- 13th May- 680- Q46, V37
Manhattan Free Mock- 14th May- 690- Q46, V38
E-GMAT SIGma Free Mock- 19th May- 640- Q43, V35
GMAT Official Mock 2- 20th May- 700- Q47, V39

4. My score goal is 690-700, preferably 700. Anything more is a bonus.

5. I want to apply for 2024 intake, so I need to have my scores by August end/ Sept first week. Otherwise for 2025 intake. I currently have only about 2 years of work experience, and will have about 2.5 years of work exp. by the time I apply. But I'm mostly targeting UK colleges, which prefer work exp. of 3+, but I believe they do make exceptions. Honestly, my most preferred college would be LBS. However, I'm open to Oxford Said, Warwick, Imperial. But I'd rather get into LBS.

I have received my ESR. Can I PM you the same?

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670+ in Mocks, 560 in GMAT

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