What should i do? Postpone or take?

Question

I have 10 days to go before the real deal.

My Gmatprep scores:
Prep1: 660 [ 46Q, 33V]
Prep2: 710 [ 45Q, 41V]

Prep1: Retake 690 [ 49Q, 36V ]
Prep2: (retake) 740 [ 49Q,41V]

The verbal 36 in Prep1 retake was because I got a brutal economics RC passage and I marked 3 questions wrong in a row. This was at about the 10th question and killed the score.
From what Ive seen , if I can: keep my RC errors down to about 2 or 3 overall, keep SC to about 4 and CR to about 4 I can hit the 40. And this is how i managed the 41v in the Prep2.

For the last 10 days I have practiced SC like never before and also brushed up on CR and RC. My biggest fear though is about getting hit on the RC and ending up with a score below 700.

So I am wondering If i should postpone the exam by another couple of weeks so that I can shore up my SC and keep it is a buffer against a drop in RC.

What should I do?

Was anyone of you ever in the same boat?

jimmyjamesdonkey · Answer

I also fear the RC. I'm afraid one sh%t passage and I'm toast. But there is nothing you can do...Cross your fingers...man up...and take that GMAT down.

terp26 · Answer

take the test, dont postpone it, it's a crapshoot regardless, another few weeks won't matter

bsd_lover · Answer

getafix I know exactly what you are talking about. I faced the same during my first take last year. What is important to understand is that Verbal section is a lot about "on the day" . What I mean is that you have to analyse how mentally fatigued you are and go into the test with a clear and calm mind to perform optimally in verbal.

There is a reason why verbal comes after quant. Verbal themes force you to stay focused and reading everything. No quant like shortcuts here. If you are even slightly sleepy it could make a difference of 20 points to your final score. So my suggestion would be to optimize your daily routine so that you sleep on time , wake up on time and get enough rest before your test - whether you do it on the existing schedule or delay it.

Good luck.

Yahsek · Answer

If you postpone, make sure it's long enough so that you can implement a serious study plan. I guess it depends on what kind of score you're aiming for and/or will be satisfied with. Your GMATPrep scores look pretty good but the range on them is a bit high. At this point it's hard to pinpoint how you'll do on the real thing based on just your GMATPrep scores alone.

If you decide not to postpone I would suggest you stick to the math and verbal forums on the GMAT Club and to repeating your GMATPreps. If you decide to postpone more than a few weeks I would suggest you check out  this post  for a pretty useful RC strategy. The strategy isn't something you can master in a few days. It'll take a lot of practice but it looks to be very effective.

kidderek · Answer

Unless you're aiming for a score above 750, there's really no point in postponing. You have already broken 700 on gmatprep once. You will probably score somewhere from 680-720. Many people postpone the test as a way of relieving stress. They just can't handle the pressure, so they postpone it just so they can loaf around, not so they can diligently prepare more.

Just take the test. If you score below what you'd reasonably like, then set aside another month or two and try again. Taking the test two times is no big deal.

Just take the test. If you score below what you'd reasonably like, then set aside another month or two and try again. Taking the test two times is no big deal.

navy01 · Answer

just give it your best shot!

Tarmac · Answer

another thing to consider, 10 days is a good chunk of time to work out kinks or brush up.

lsuguy7 · Answer

I think that really is part of the gmat - I had a comfortable range I thought that I could do before the test. When I got the real test I didn't understand the very first question! I am positive I missed it and still don't understand it so I'm hoping it was a trial question. Anyway most people are going to have a spread that is going to change day to day like I'll get between 48-50 on q and 38-42 verbal. You just got to accept you don't have control over that and go in and give it your best shot. If you score in the low end of your range you can always take it again!

getafixdruid · Answer

Thank you for your opinions. I will make a decision by tomorrow.
YihWei, thank you for the RC link.

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What should i do? Postpone or take?

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