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Tomm01234
Joined: 27 Sep 2024
Last visit: 04 Aug 2025
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Location: Italy
Schools: INSEAD Aug '26
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q83 V84 DI82 
17 May 2025, 05:03
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Hi everyone,
I’ve been studying for the past 8 months while working full time, using TTP as my main resource. My scores on the four mock exams were 615, 645, 615, and 615, and I just completed the last one with a 595. My goal is to reach at least 645, but I feel like I’m moving backwards. I’m really discouraged right now and seriously considering giving up. Any thoughts on what might be going wrong?
I’ve been studying for the past 8 months while working full time, using TTP as my main resource. My scores on the four mock exams were 615, 645, 615, and 615, and I just completed the last one with a 595. My goal is to reach at least 645, but I feel like I’m moving backwards. I’m really discouraged right now and seriously considering giving up. Any thoughts on what might be going wrong?
ChiranjeevSingh
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18 May 2025, 22:39
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Hi there,
I can only imagine how incredibly tough this situation must feel for you right now. Reading about your journey – dedicating eight months to studying for the GMAT with TTP while balancing a full-time job, only to see your latest mock score dip to 595 after a series of 615s and 645s – it’s completely understandable why you're feeling the way you are.
It sounds like you're experiencing a heavy weight of disappointment. You've poured so much time and effort into this, and not seeing the improvement you’re striving for, especially when your goal of 645 feels like it's slipping further away, is naturally disheartening.
This disappointment seems to have opened the door to self-doubt. When you invest so much and don't get the expected returns, it's easy to start questioning your own capabilities, your methods, or whether you can truly achieve your goal. That's a really difficult mental space to be in.
This self-doubt, combined with likely exhaustion from such a demanding schedule, seems to be leading to a deep sense of discouragement. Wanting to give up when you feel like you’re moving backwards despite your best efforts is an understandable response. This discouragement, if it deepens, can certainly edge towards hopelessness – that feeling that maybe improvement isn't possible, no matter what you do.
Overall, after such a significant investment of your time and energy without seeing the progress you want, it’s no wonder you feel helpless. Not knowing what might be going wrong, or how you can change things to get back on track towards that 645, can leave you feeling stuck and unsure of the path forward.
Please know that feeling this way doesn't mean your goal is definitely out of reach or that you're not capable. These are understandable reactions to a very challenging setback.
Before even considering your next major move regarding the GMAT, it might be really beneficial to take a complete break for a few days, or even a week if you can. No studying, no GMAT-related thoughts – just focus on rest, enjoyable activities, and recharging. This isn't lost time; it's crucial for getting some perspective and reducing the immediate stress so you can approach your next steps with a clearer mind.
When you feel ready to think about it again, here are a few different ways you might approach the situation:
It's a lot to take in, especially when you're feeling so overwhelmed. What are your immediate thoughts on these possibilities?
Whatever you decide, please remember that this test is just one part of your journey, and it doesn't define your capabilities or your worth. Reaching out when you're feeling this way takes courage. Be kind to yourself as you figure out your next steps.
I can only imagine how incredibly tough this situation must feel for you right now. Reading about your journey – dedicating eight months to studying for the GMAT with TTP while balancing a full-time job, only to see your latest mock score dip to 595 after a series of 615s and 645s – it’s completely understandable why you're feeling the way you are.
It sounds like you're experiencing a heavy weight of disappointment. You've poured so much time and effort into this, and not seeing the improvement you’re striving for, especially when your goal of 645 feels like it's slipping further away, is naturally disheartening.
This disappointment seems to have opened the door to self-doubt. When you invest so much and don't get the expected returns, it's easy to start questioning your own capabilities, your methods, or whether you can truly achieve your goal. That's a really difficult mental space to be in.
This self-doubt, combined with likely exhaustion from such a demanding schedule, seems to be leading to a deep sense of discouragement. Wanting to give up when you feel like you’re moving backwards despite your best efforts is an understandable response. This discouragement, if it deepens, can certainly edge towards hopelessness – that feeling that maybe improvement isn't possible, no matter what you do.
Overall, after such a significant investment of your time and energy without seeing the progress you want, it’s no wonder you feel helpless. Not knowing what might be going wrong, or how you can change things to get back on track towards that 645, can leave you feeling stuck and unsure of the path forward.
Please know that feeling this way doesn't mean your goal is definitely out of reach or that you're not capable. These are understandable reactions to a very challenging setback.
Before even considering your next major move regarding the GMAT, it might be really beneficial to take a complete break for a few days, or even a week if you can. No studying, no GMAT-related thoughts – just focus on rest, enjoyable activities, and recharging. This isn't lost time; it's crucial for getting some perspective and reducing the immediate stress so you can approach your next steps with a clearer mind.
When you feel ready to think about it again, here are a few different ways you might approach the situation:
- Re-evaluate Your Preparation Strategy (When You Have Renewed Energy): TTP is known for its thoroughness, and it's a testament to your dedication that you've committed to it for so long. It's clear you've been analyzing your performance. If, after a break, you decide to continue with the GMAT, a different way of looking at your mock results and study patterns, perhaps focusing on deeper error logging or timing strategies, might be needed. However, trying to force this when you're already depleted might not be effective.
- Seek External Support, Like a Tutor: This could be a really valuable step. A good tutor can do more than just explain concepts. They can offer a fresh, expert perspective to help diagnose issues that are hard to see on your own, especially after months of being immersed in the material. Crucially, they can also offer personalized strategies, provide motivation, and empathize with what you're going through. This kind of one-on-one support can be pivotal in breaking through a plateau and rebuilding confidence.
- Explore Alternative Pathways to Your Goals: This isn't about "giving up" on the GMAT, but rather broadening your perspective on how to reach your ultimate career or educational ambitions. Are there other standardized tests (e.g. GRE) accepted by programs you're interested in? Are there programs that offer GMAT waivers? Researching these alternatives can sometimes alleviate the immense pressure of a single test and reveal other viable options.
It's a lot to take in, especially when you're feeling so overwhelmed. What are your immediate thoughts on these possibilities?
Whatever you decide, please remember that this test is just one part of your journey, and it doesn't define your capabilities or your worth. Reaching out when you're feeling this way takes courage. Be kind to yourself as you figure out your next steps.
Tomm01234
19 May 2025, 09:47
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I am sorry yo are experiencing this. While I am not sure how you have been approaching this so far, I would suggest you to try to take a break of a few days and then start again. Brush up the basics and take the test again and try to analyse if you aren't scoring well in particular section/topics. If there's no pattern, try to see if being nervous is messing it up for you. Try to take some professional help who can work with you closely, guide you and help personalise an action plan, if required.
All the best!
All the best!
Tomm01234
