oludayo wrote:
Hi,
I took the GMAT last year and got a 620 (AWA was pretty good, IR was an aweful 4, quant and verbal were in the low 30s). The resources I used were Manhattan guides textbooks and
Official guide solely
Given my low score I decided to apply that way and got to interview stages of all schools (even Cornell) however I didnt get any admits (Maybe being an African student with 4years experience in a multinational was to my advantage).
This year I redid the GMAT and even stayed home for 6weeks yet I got a 630! (IR remained the same, verbal increased by about 2points and quant decreased by about 2point). The resources I used were the veritas guides, a ton of the free questions on GMATCLUB and Gmatprep. Its a little confusing because when I did my mocks using GMATprep software I got 690 and 650 (although I recognised some of these questions from my study on GMATCLUB).
My question is what am I doing wrong and how do I fix it? should I reshedule another test immediately or wait? Considering the fact that I have exausted most of the questions in
OG 12 and done a lot of questions in GMATclub, which other resource should I be using? should I take the risk and apply with my score? This year I am focusing on canadian schools. I will like to make second round deadlines in December/January and since I have taken all my leave days from the office, it is going to be difficult to rewrite (I work a a 12hour day job)
NB; when I did both GMATs (last year and this year) my screen blanked out a few times, probably a bug, so that may have destabilised me a little though. I have filled a complaint form to GMAT on this
Please advise
Since your test scores are just the same, I would recommend you to change the way of studying. You already have got interview calls, this means that you have a good profile. If you are eying the Top schools, you might have to stretch that score little bit. Not only will it help you with the admission, but also with the scholarship. So I would recommend you to go for a retake. But this time try to change the way you study.
You need to build the concepts/fundamentals before you jump in solving the problems. You can do so by choosing one of the following ways:
1. In person classes/private tutoring
2. Online classes
3. Self paced online preparatory course
4. Book heavy approach
Whatever you choose, make sure that you choose one. Because GMAT tests you on some concepts and fundamentals that you can learn from a course. Most of the preparatory companies including ours offer a free trial of our course. You can take the trial and see if the course suits your needs.