When do you take the GMAT exam? Setting a target.

Question

When do you know you're ready to take the GMAT exam?

I am asking this because I am not sure whether I should register for my GMAT exam ahead of time and work towards it and adapt my study plan accordingly, OR register the GMAT exam until I have hit my target score consistently on practice exams. I have budgeted 1,25k in total for me to take the GMAT exams.

I recently hit a score of 260 on my first practice exam for the GMAT (w/o review). Big blow to my confidence. My target score is 650. The first admissions round for my MSc is in the beginning of October. After my error review, I concluded that I have a severe content deficiency in English grammar and Mathematics. I have outlined all relevant concepts so far and plan to tackle at least one concept a day.

Given the fact that I have 5/6 months before my first admissions round, and the capacity to take 3 hrs per workday, and 6 hrs a day in the weekend to study for the GMAT I'd like the input of more experienced GMAT takers on registering for your GMAT Exam date and setting realistic targets for yourself.

I feel that planning my real GMAT exam ahead of time puts healthy pressure on myself to perform, however, I fear that I might underestimate the time it takes for me to feel fully confident in my capabilities to hit 650, and therefore, I would risk entering the first real GMAT exam underprepared.

What would you advice me to do given my current situation? Should I register ahead, or practice until I hit my target score on practice exams? I feel this is an important decision and I would really appreciate your feedback and advice.

Thankyou.

lillianmbula · Answer

Hi,

I think you have enough time to score even a 750.

Dont let the 260 bother you. You are comparing yourself to people who got 700+ after studying.

You now know the deficiencies and what to focus on so in 5 months (or less) you will get 650+

CLIMBTHELADDER · Answer

Thanks for the encouragement, appreciate it. Perhaps my question was unclear, would you register for the GMAT exam ahead of time, or sign up once you've hit your target scores consistently on practice exams?

CLIMBTHELADDER · Answer

gmat-study-plan-how-to-start-your-gmat-prep-80727.html?fl=menu This post answered all my questions.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aadirenpronk,

You seem to understand that raising a 260 to a 650+ is going to be a big task, but you've given yourself lots of time to study, which is good. As you study, you need to remember that this whole process takes time, so you'll find certain areas are easier to improve on than others, but you shouldn't get frustrated.

As far as scheduling the GMAT is concerned, some Test Takers become more efficient/serious about their studies when they have a 'deadline.' At this point, it's so early that you probably don't need to choose an exact Test Date yet, but in a couple of months (once you have a better 'feel' for the overall Exam) you should pick a date and lock it in. As you get closer to that date, if you think that you need more study time, then you can pay the rescheduling fee ($50) and push your Test Date back.

1) What study materials are you currently using?
2) When you took this CAT, did you have to rush through any questions at the end just to finish on time (and did you leave any questions unanswered?)?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

CLIMBTHELADDER · Answer

Thanks for your advice. To answer your questions: 1) In order to tackle my content deficiency in math, I have started with total GMAT math from Jeff Sackman, in combination with foundations of GMAT math of Manhattan and the theme-specific strategy guides of Manhattan and probability for dummies if necessary. Followed by the OG Quant + OG 2016 guide + Kaplan GMAT Workbook to do practice exercises. In a later stage, I plan to use Veritas to improve my test taking stamina. Once I have done my quant practice exam and hit my target of Q44 - I will tackle my content deficiency in verbal. Sources for verbal are: English grammar in use by Cambridge Murphy, Manhattan Verbal Foundations, GMATClub Grammar, and Manhattan and Veritas SC. Followed by OG Verbal, Kaplan Verbal Workbook for practice exercises. Same goes for reading comprehension. I have started to read heavy English books now to improve my RC and read every night whilst improving my quant skills. For CR I plan to use Powerscore CR and relevant concepts covered in Manhattan Verbal and Veritas. 2) Main reason for flunking is a content deficiency. I am not a native English speaker and I have never been good in math since a very young age. (At least I told myself I was, I plan on winning my life long struggle with math this time :-D

) Furthermore, it was 1,5 years since I had last taken a proper exam. Found that I had difficulty concentrating throughout the test, especially RC. Eventually, I had to rush through ca. 4/5 questions at the end of the exam. All these factors combined resulted in my low score of 260. If I would have been committed and focussed I still think the score would be around the 300/400 mark due to the content deficiency in math and English grammar.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi aadirenpronk,

Since you've given yourself plenty of time to study, you can certain begin this process however you choose - and you can make adjustments later as needed. I do have a few suggestions though:

1) In your original post, it sounds like you've considered the possibility that you'll take the GMAT 5 times. While there's always the opportunity to take the GMAT repeatedly, that should NOT be the plan.

2) Most of the materials that you've listed are books. Many Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach tend to get 'stuck' at a particular score level. While that may or may not happen to you, you should consider investing in some non-book resources that will help you to practice in the same 'format' that you'll face when you take the Official GMAT.

3) For free math practice and help, I recommend that you set up an account at Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). The site is completely free and makes the learning a bit more fun and 'game-like' (as opposed to the dry academic approach taken by most books). While the site is vast, you should limit your studies to basic Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry.

I also suggest that you plan on taking your next FULL-LENGTH CAT in about a month and post back here with your scores. With that score result, we'll have a better idea of how you study plan is working. If you have any additional questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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