What went wrong with my GMAT preparation?

Question

Hi everyone,
I’m in a state of shock and could really use your insights to figure out where I went wrong with my GMAT preparation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of my journey:

I am not bad at Math but I always felt I am stronger in Verbal when it comes to GMAT.

Background & Initial Prep (Pre-December 2024)
I left my full-time job on December 5, 2024, due to long hours interfering with my GMAT prep.
While working, I completed Magoosh videos, quizzes, and question banks over 3-4 months.
Full-Time Prep (December 5 – January 11)
Focused on revising concepts and solving MBA.com’s 150-question sets for Quant, Verbal, and DI (450 total).
Transitioned to MBA.com Mock Exams (1-6, totaling 12 exams).
Initial scores: 455–505
By early January: Average ~555
Actual GMAT on January 11: 555 (49th percentile – 76Q, 76DI, 80V)
Only 3 Quant answers wrong, yet scored 76Q – found this surprising but was content given the effort.
Second Attempt Prep (January 26 – March 22)
Took a 15-day break, resumed prep on January 26 (45 days full-time).
Strengthened weak areas:
Used e-GMAT (2-month subscription) for Quant (found it too lengthy to complete).
Completed MBA.com’s 1000-question bank (all sections), averaging:
75% accuracy (Medium)
65% accuracy (Hard)
Last 10 days: Reviewed all 12 previous mocks, analyzing each question and concept.
Mock Scores Before Second Attempt:
e-GMAT mock (late March): 415 (vs. 545 on Jan 26)
HSE Paris mock (days before exam): 515
Actual GMAT on March 22: 515 (78V, 76DI, 72Q)
My Confusion & Concerns
Score Drop Despite More Prep: How did I score lower (515 vs. 555) after dedicated full-time study?
Quant Regression: My Quant score dropped (72Q vs. 76Q) despite fewer mistakes in the first attempt.
Questions for the Community
Has anyone faced a similar score drop after intense prep?
I’m feeling lost and would truly appreciate any suggestions or insights. Thank you!

Varshakash · Answer

Same has happened with me as well. I have left a full time job for preparing for the exam. Even after completing OG, Practicing GMAT Clubs 10K+ questions, Taking several mocks with 635 being the best score, I had scored only 555 in my first actual GFE attempt and even worse 505 in second attempt after 2.5 more months of rigorous preparations after first attempt. Now due to time constraint and for the sake of things on stake, heavy heartedly I have decided to proceed with colleges that either offers a GMAT waiver or no GMAT at all.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi musaraza175,

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with your GMAT prep. Given the amount of time you've invested so far, I'm curious why your score hasn't yet surpassed 555. It might be that you've been emphasizing practice without thoroughly mastering the underlying concepts first. A great approach moving forward would be to balance topical learning with targeted practice, helping you solidify your Quant and Verbal foundations before tackling more practice questions.

For additional guidance, here's a helpful article:

How to Improve Your GMAT Score

SarfrazAP · Answer

There is honestly no real correlation between the intensity of prep and the score. I just replied to someone who has been prepping for two years and is still stuck around the 500 mark. And you'll also read stories of people acing the test in 4 weeks. Here are a couple of things for you to consider though:

- There is a strong correlation between your official mock test scores and the score on the real test, so when you were scoring around the 525 mark in your mock tests, there was no point appearing for the test a second time. Before you take it a third time and spend another $275, make sure your mock test scores are at least around, if not higher than, your desired score. The problem is you've exhausted all the official mocks. Have you also retaken all 6?

- You probably need to dedicate a little more time to your prep. Don't be in a rush to retake. The fact that you left your job (a bad idea) to prep for the GMAT must be putting more pressure on you, but don't rush.

- It could also simply be a case of fixing your test taking strategy, assuming you have one.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any specific questions about your prep or you wish to discuss some new strategies.

musaraza175 · Answer

Hi Would you suggest moving to GRE?

Since Quant & Data are limiting factors for me, although I practiced a lot for Quant and on a good day on a mock I was able to score around 80 or 81, I was never able to increase my score in DI since it felt impossible for me to manage time however hard I tried, i was just not able to process information as quickly as one of my friends would who scored a 665 in GMAT focus with a DI 81 & Q86. I have attached a screenshot of my DI section on my second attempt, while I was attempting my test I realized that I wasn't able to deliver my best in the verbal section that I did first followed by Quant as it felt that I lacked the flow of doing the exam as I didn't practice adequate mocks before the test. But when it came to the DI section, I was working most efficiently up until Question 16 where I did questions 16-20 wrong due to less time left and I had to rush through the exam which ruined my DI score.

Something I would like to point out is that my target score was at least a 605 on the 2nd attempt, and I was targeting this score for the Fall 2025 intake, so I had to appear for my exam in March irrespective. Now I am in no rush since the Fall intake application is over and I have decided to pursue a Master's from somewhere I already got admitted however I do want a good GRE or GMAT score within the next 2 years before the completion of my master's program so I can apply for PHD admissions.

Do you suggest I keep my situation and prior preparation in mind, would it be a good decision to switch to the GRE and improve my vocab over time and try for a 90% percentile score?

For context, I have always scored higher in English compared to Math, whether it be my SAT or other university admission tests but yet I do not have a very strong Verbal vocab since i left reading long ago.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

What went wrong with my GMAT preparation?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards