630 on second attempt : totally depressed

Question

hi guys, I am feeling totally devasted today. Ended up scoring 630 M:50 V:25. Don't know what to do...I am really let down by the score.After Six long months of preparation after my first GMAT in which I scored M:49 V:23 I am totally depressed.I was hoping a lot better score considering my practice test scores the second time: MGMAT scores:all above 710 English :above 38 always GMAT prep1:770 M:50 V:44 Repeat1: 780 M:51 V:47 Repeat2 : 770 M:50 V:44 GMAT prep2: 770 M:51 V:44 Repeat1: 760 M:50 V:42 Repeat2: 770 M:50 V:42 2-3 CRs were from OG in all the tests...Can those make such a difference??...I don't think so May be I am really bad in English even though the scores don't tell this but the real GMAT that I took today morning does. I have lost my dreams...I have lost faith in myself. After my first GMAT in last December I sat down from the next day on and kept studying...Participated a lot on this forum...did CRs from LSATs till 14th test...I was really confident going into this test.But the thing that I was afraid of happened and shattered all my dreams. My mental temperament was good this time...But like last time I couldn't sleep the night before...Still I was confident in the morning before the exam that atleast my practice scores were good...May be I got over-confident with my scores and was really thinking big about the future...Your luck plays a much greater role especially on that day...Hard work I guess doesn't matter that much

God doesn't want me to be among the big great MBAs...Atleast I didn't spoil my social life this time. A small piece of advice: Never compromise ur social life for this exam like I did the first time I gave GMAT.Always be with ur friends and enjoy.This will take the pressure of the exam off you and you will do really good...trust me. But that doesn't matter... Anyways...enough of my experience...for those who want to know what the real GMAT questions are like: SC is much like GMATPrep....just know the basics. CR is trickier than LSAT ones but the plus point is that CRs on GMAT are smaller 2-3 sentences. RC was tough for me...even after so much pratice in various prep tests I was struggling b/w two close choices in most of the RC...guess the night's sleep really hurt I reallu can't understand what went wrong today...CR or RC...SC at which I was really good...I don't have the stamina to take the exam again right now.I took 2 weeks time off my office in the middle of a project...I guess I am good for nothing...I will have to be content(that I am really bad at English) with this score. Can I do something with this 630??...Any good university at all. My profile is 2 years work experience in Tata Consultancy Services(TCS,India)...Any suggestions what I should do with my devastated future??...Should I retake the test and may be hope this time I make it??

bkk145 · Answer

Hey man. I had the same experience with my first GMAT test. I consistently score well above 650 and my highest was 740 on both GMATprep and MGMAT tests. Anyways, I ended up with low 600 for my first test and I was devastated...I came out of the exam center and started to take a walk aimlessly... feeling like all the work I have done was good for nothing. Stupid almost.

The only advice I can give you now is don't destroy yourself over the score. Take a break if you need to. If you are planning to apply this year, you still have a chance to take another exam. One thing about SC that I found is that you can do all the problems correctly in the OG and still score low on SC. I believe OG's SC is limited to certain degree and you need to expose yourself to other rules. MGMAT is a good book, but without practicing on the concepts, you will fall into the trap. 

Cheer up my friend, the world is not over and you are not good for nothing.

raptr · Answer

Cheer up, ur math score is fantastic. 

Did you do the 2 essays before each exam? That, imo, makes a world of a difference. If I was you I would def retake the GMAT and pay special attention to building stamina.

riverripper · Answer

Honestly with only two years of work experience you are on the young side at any school so this isn't really that huge of set back. Take a few months off from studying. If you go right back at it now you are probably going to go insane with all the stress and pressure you are putting on yourself.

Then go back to studying some, make sure it doesn't ruin your life or hurt your performance at your job. When you are very confident take it again and nail it. Then apply next fall. You will have more work experience and thus more things to draw on for your essays. Besides judging by your spirits about this you probably could use a break. A friend of mine went through the same thing a couple years ago. He got low 600s on three tests despite doing well on practice tests and during a prep course. Took off half a year to remove himself from the stress of the test. Studied for a few months and took it again and I am pretty sure he ended up with a 720 (it was definitely over 700 I remember that). Sometimes you hit that wall where you need a break, if you were 30 I wouldn't suggest it but at 24 its probably the best thing for your sanity.

gluon · Answer

Vineet... dude sorry to hear about this. I read your posts on a consistent basis and there is no way in HELL that you should be getting v25. There are some people whose posts I trust implicitly... yours are one of those.

 NO , you are not dumb and your English is excellent too. I know nothing I say will make you feel better. But do not reduce your self esteem because of a score on some test. 

I agree with the poster above. Take a break from GMAT six months, a year if you need. And then attack with vengeance. 

If you have worked for two years only then you are most likely 23 - 24, right? So you are going to be very young after a year too (I am 33 and still have MBA aspirations... ha ha).

vineetgupta · Answer

Thanks gluon and riverripper...thanks a lot for the encouragement...I could use a break...But I will keep participating on the forum...I know I am good in English...just the pressure of performance takes me out...I was aiming to apply next fall(2008) considering my prep scores and my confidence...But I was let down...May be later would be a good idea.

Thanks again...May be next time I'll cooler(Oh God help me...if you are listening to this poor creature).

GMATBLACKBELT · Answer

Thats really too bad vinee. First I think you should def. retake the test. It seems the GMAT you took is not reflective of your practice scores at all. 

In my MGMAT class, some of the teachers spoke of students doing really well and then bombing the exam. In fact there is a story of one girl who scored on average in the 80th percentile for math. While this score isn't stellar, 80th percentile for math (around 43) is pretty good. Guess what she scored the day of the real exam.... 1th percentile... yep thats right 1th percentile!!! I dunno bout verbal, but my guess it wasn't too hot either.

While rare, these things do happen. I do recommend that you take a break. I dunno for a couple of years... seems kinda long. But I don't think you should ever loose hope or think everything was a waste. keep practicing and def. retake the exam.

Mishari · Answer

Oh come on. It was just a bad test day. First of all, your math score is superior and really great. You're GMATprep score show you consistently scored above 40 in verbal. 

Just take the test again. You may practice a little with GMATTER if you wish, but i'm pretty sure you can easily break the 700 barier. 


Good Luck

BCC145 · Answer

Yep, cheer up man. The same thing happened to me.

 https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/8/50592 

So I think we are in the same boat. I have read that being good at English is not the problem, it could help, but the problem is actually being good at GMAT English. So I believe you as a non-native English speaker can do well. 

Just don't give up. Like many people already said, you are only in your early 20s and you would always have next year as your option to apply. Take the test again this year or something and if you get a good score then apply R2. Otherwise, just take a break and take the test to apply next year. The plus side with this is that you have another year to prepare for the test!

Good luck to you.

AK79 · Answer

Vineet,

I replied to your message in my thread.. Check it out...

trahul4 · Answer

Hard luck Vineet .. As everone has pointed out, your quant score is great. Be happy for this. Very few people go to Q50 ! 
Just take a break from studying and come back with all guns firing. You will certainly do well. By the way what are your target schools?

tsaditya · Answer

Dont worry man. There is always next time.

vineetgupta · Answer

I want to get into a top-20 B-school.But I don't know what stream to take for MBA...How do u choose...I only know about Finance,Operations...but those are difficult to get at this score.

Someone told me about  International Business Management  as a stream in a top-20 US uni at this score and 3.7 grad CGPA...How is that for an MBA...Can anyone throw some light on this??

trahul4 · Answer

Goos choice. If your profile is bit unusual you can give a shot. By the way have you decided to retake the GMAT? If so then dont think about all these now and concentrate on studying for the GMAT. If you are not taking the GMAT again, then i suggest you the following :

1.Check with your target schools on how competitive this years applicant pool is and where does your 630 stand ?
2. Work on chalking out very good essays and yes get some wonderful recos.

Your undergrad CGPA is excellent and you should try to use this in a positive manner. 

Goodluck .

bsd_lover · Answer

Hi Vineet,

I got to this post a bit late. I have observed your posts on the club forums and I feel that you have been an exemplary contributor. You certainly do not deserve a score such as this one.

I suspect you were hit by a case of mental fatigue, which often happens if one doesnt practice with full essays in GmatPrep, or if one doesnt get the right amount of rest the night before.

Put it behind and get a 700+ score. A perfect failure to success essay for wharton coming up

cheer up !

vineetgupta · Answer

Thanks guys for your encouragements...I don't know what I would do without you...I am mentally in bad shape right now...Hope this improves the next time I take the GMAT with God's grace.

Atleast I can help others learn even if I am down...I will do my best in this front.

Watch out GMAT here I come...

beckee529 · Answer

That's great! Just think positively!!! You certainly are within the 700+ level. Reschedule another test and crush the verbal section!!! =) But remember to also breathe, relax, and take the pressure off at times..

sonibubu · Answer

Vineet,
I would suggest you wait a few months and retake the exam. Have you tried the MGMAT online study or used their books. I think you're in India, meaning the verbal score is that much more important and will receive more scrutiny more the adcoms.

You have 2 yrs WE, meaning you can't be more than 24/25 yrs old. Another year of waiting to apply won't hurt you, actually if you can get a promotion or more responsibility at work that will help you a lot.

Keep your chin up, and good luck next time.

loom · Answer

Vineetgupta:

Keep your spirits up. It seems like you just had an off-day for verbal...

IMO even if you didn't re-take the GMAT I think you could get into at least a top-50 Finance/Operations Management program. Maybe that's not what you want to hear, but know that even a 630 for your profile does not mean the end of the world... 

Don't forget you work for Tata Consultancy Services! One of the biggest and most prestigious IT consulting firms in Asia (and growing brand recognition in the USA/Europe). I'm sure that's excellent work experience. And don't forget there are other factors in the application you can ace - volunteer activities, extracurricular leadership experience, personal essays, letters of recommendation, resume, networking, getting promoted at work etc.

I'm no admissions expert but in my opinion you're definitely a high potential candidate. Don't give up!

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630 on second attempt : totally depressed

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