GMAT Strategy

vongdn wrote:I have 1 week before my GMAT exam, scheduled this Friday Oct 8 and I am freaking out.

I'm not applying to any top 20 or 50 B-Schools, so I don't think the programs are super competitive. I'm actually applying to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Part Time MBA Program after 5 years in the work force. They say the average GMAT of those accepted is 580. So that is my target.

Below are my practice scores so far.

Kaplan Practice CAT = 430 (ouch!)
GMAT Prep Practice CAT = 550 (better but no cigar)
Kaplan Practice CAT 2 = 470 (ouch again!)

I tried to take a couple more Kaplan practice tests, but for some reason couldn't finish the Quants sections on time, so I find of abandoned the rest of the exam out of frustration.

My problem is, I'm a thinker, though I enjoy math, my satisfaction comes from thinking about the problem and working it different ways to come up with the answer. GMAT doesn't allow such time though, so its tough for me to see how to solve the problem right away. It also doesn't help that I'm rusty.

I've been studying for the GMAT for a couple months now using the Official Guide and the Premier Kaplan book. The Kaplan problems seem tough to me. Studied about 10 hours per week, right now I'm mainly doing practice problems and trying to understand the solutions. Again, I understand the solutions, its just a matter of knowing what to do right away that I'm having problems with.

So now I have one week left, luckily I'm unemployed at the moment so I have a good amount of time during the day to study, even though I feel burnt out after 4 hours usually. What do you guys suggest I spend the week doing?

I am freaking out, I'm aiming for 580, which in reading some of the posts here, is pretty mediocre. But from my studying so far, and my practice test scores, I don't think I will even achieve that. I approach the practice exams with a confidence feeling usually, but after the score, my confidence just plummets.