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Question

Hi, my name is Jenny and I'm from Kentucky. I took the GMAT for the first time May 12 and boy did I BLOW IT! Scored a 370 (q 21, v 20) with only taking one practice test and barely cracking the GMAT for Dummies book. Well, needless to say, this score isn't gonna get me anywhere! Just wondering if June 9 is too soon for me to take the test again? I need at least a 500 to get into Western Kentucky University, however I want to shoot higher, of course. The score has to be in to WKU by June 24, do you guys think it will get there in time? Boy, I'm sure glad I found this website, I'm gonna study my a$$ off for the retake.

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Jenny

Emmanuel · Answer

Jenny, we are really happy to see you here. You need information, training and advice here, and you get it! I think you should start working on it very hard from now. The best prep guide is Kaplan, Verbal and Math workbooks. If you study these books, at least learn how to crack intermediate problems, then your score could significantly increase. I think you should start with the theory and easy questions. Score of 370 is really bad, it says that you have problems with both math and verbal. To get them cracked, you need to understand the logic of the GMAT. Study Kaplan Math and Verbal workbook. Chose your area of specialization. If you have problems with math, try to improve your verbal, conversely, if you have problems with verbal, try to improve your math. devote your free time to the preparation. Don't waste it! I had 2 weeks to prepare for the GMAT, and scored as high as 750 (but I knew math really well, though). To be successfull, you need to work every hour, every minute! While you are sitting in Mac or having spare time, use your time wisely. Make a xerox of a chapter from Kaplan workbook and study it everywhere. You CAN make it! Just forget about any other things and use your time for the GMAT. Kaplan math workbook is really good prep guide for those who has problems with the rules. Your math and verbal both need to be improved. Study the rules. You have 2 weeks for math and 2 weeks for verbal. You have to study math workbook in 2 weeks (I studied it for 2 days, by the way, when my friend asked me to help her with math :-)

). Plan your time. Don't use it unwisely. Be aware of time constraints! Good luck, and happy GMATting... :-)

Paul · Answer

I would suggest you to read the "share my exp" forum as there are very positive experiences you can read about to start with. You can then browse through the skill-level based math forums. You may need to freshen up your math skills and a good deal of practice will certainly help. You can definitely shoot more than 500 and 600 within your time frame but it is conditional to how much effort you put into it. With about 3 weeks left, there is no slack permitted. You should stay focused and practise almost everyday. Participate in the forum and feel free to ask questions. Good luck

Lucyloo · Answer

June 9 is too early since it takes time to master the GMAT. Especially if you want to raise the score by 200+ points. I would recommend studying for 2-3 months and then taking the GMAT. I'm guessing you're applying for Fall 2005 (or Spring 2005 if the school you're applying to has spring admissions), so you should have plenty of time to retake.

I personally have not used GMAT for Dummies, but I would highly recommend The Official Guide, Powerprep (you can get both on mba.com; the latter is the free software with two tests), and Princeton Review's Cracking the GMAT. With PP and PR, you'll have 7 practice tests and plenty of questions to study with. And the PR book has excellent strategies. 

I have no doubt that with some solid studying, you'll bump the score up considerably. Be sure to peruse this forum for tips and help if you get stumped on practice questions. It's a great resource.

bb · Answer

June 9th is too soon. If you need your score by June 24, keep in mind that you have only one retake left. GMAC allows takign the test only once a month (mostly due to money savings and prevention of cheating). I would take all the time I had, but that's me and I always wait a bit too long :oops:

I think you can improve a lot,however, if you go over the basics, what emmanuel suggested, you should be prepared. You absolutely need to know how the test works (the questions in the beginning are important and you have to answer all of them), however, I would not focus on the test taking much at this state. Work on filling in the gaps and then spend the last 10 days taking tests and working on your timing skills and reading strategies. The last few days are for rest.... -=

Jenny · Answer

Well I've been studying about 3 hours a day for the past 2 weeks, just trying to master the math. It seems like I really know what I'm doing, then I take another practice test and I'm still scoring in the low 400's. Talk about frustrating! I don't know what to do. I'm not about to give up, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just not smart enough to take this test.

Jenny

Praetorian · Answer

are you timing yourself in the prep? that might be making all the difference. Are you maintaining an error log in your prep? if not, i would advise you to do so. 

please try to go over the problems in the category based forum. they might help you.

if you tell us more about what exactly you are doing in our prep. we might be able to help you better

good luck

sincerely
praet

Jenny · Answer

I'm not sure what you mean by error log? No, I haven't been timing myself, then when I take the practice I attempt to solve the problem, but get frustrated because of time and end up guessing just so I can move on. I will try some of the problems you suggested.

My prep consists of me working on problems throughout the day in the Princeton Review book, then going to the local technical college and meeting with one of the math teachers to help me see what I did right or wrong. There is no prep for the GMAT around here, and I don't know anyone else that is preparing for it so I'm just doing the best I can.

Jenny

Jenny · Answer

I'm not sure what you mean by error log? No, I haven't been timing myself, then when I take the practice I attempt to solve the problem, but get frustrated because of time and end up guessing just so I can move on. I will try some of the problems you suggested.

My prep consists of me working on problems throughout the day in the Princeton Review book, then going to the local technical college and meeting with one of the math teachers to help me see what I did right or wrong. There is no prep for the GMAT around here, and I don't know anyone else that is preparing for it so I'm just doing the best I can.

Jenny

Praetorian · Answer

an error log is simply a record of your errors and the notes you write for yourself. I wrote a detailed article in our journal. here is the link
 https://gmatclub.blogs.com/blog/gmat_/index.html  

Do you have the Official Guide for GMAT Review. Please go over the problems in the Official Guide. Also, try the guides and the CD tests from Kaplan. Kaplan tests are much much tougher. Dont take the Kaplan test scores seriously though.

Hope this helps

Let us know if you have any other questions

Praet

Jenny · Answer

Second attempt - up 170 points! YaHoo!!! Couldn't be happier with my second attempt of 540 (q 30, v 34) Needed a 500 for Western Kentucky University, and I got it! Thanks for all the help and encouragement.

My advice: DO NOT read all that mumbo jumbo about tricks and traps, and become overly concerened with the first ten questions, etc, it is simply too distracting. Simply practice the problems over and over. I was amazed at how many of them were very similar to what I had practiced.

Also, on the verbal, try to relate the stuff to you. I found that as boring as some of the RC and CR topics were, I was able to find something interesting in each of them. I even sometimes subsituted the name of my city to make it relate to me more.

I used the PR book, its practice tests and PP tests. Oh, and in none of my full length practice test did I score as high as 540.

Thanks!
Jenny

Paul · Answer

Congratulation Jenny! A 170 points improvement is an awesome one!. Glad you reached your goal and all the best in your applications. :band

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