GMAT Strategy

I just took the GMAT yesterday cold turkey and did REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. My school advised me to retake if I want to get in. The school requires a 510 but with my undergrad GPA all I need is a 420. Now the numbers dont sound high and I thought for sure I was smart enough to get a 420 right... WRONG!!! So I bought the Princeton Review with the CD and was wondering what a good study schedule and plan might consist of? They told me I had to take it by Mid July but to me thats too late so I am hoping maybe mid june.

Any ideas on how I should go about this? I can not believe I did so horrible and while it made me laugh when my score was displayed it also made me feel stupid!!

thanks in advanced for your time. I also downloaded the flash cards to review also.

I suggest reading through the Resources section found at the top of this page and in particular read through Eric's blog. Also you can read my blog found in my signature, but read Eric's first as mine is rather intense.

I feel your pain, buddy.
I just got served with a 490 today.

GMATFailure wrote:I feel your pain, buddy.
I just got served with a 490 today.

Yeah I wish I would have prepared. Oh well I did worse than you so don't feel to bad. I've got 2 months and all I need is a 510 maybe a little lower but Thats all I want. I would like to get up to 600 but not a chance. After reading MBA.com saying how people rarely move there score up 100 points has me very discouraged. And I thought I was smart! haha Oh well life is not over over. I will prepare and get in to my program!!

Harris,

Don't give up on a 600. I am a perfect example of your situation. I also only needed a 510-520 on the test to apply to the school I wanted to attended. I took the GMAT this past Saturday (May 19) and scored a 600 (Q48, V26) after getting a 470 (Q35, V20) back in February. It is definitely possible to move up over 100 points if you work hard.

I didn't want to take any chances so I enrolled in the Manhattan GMAT online class and would definitely recommend them to anyone who is trying to raise their score. If anything, their books helped me considerablly throughout the process to feel more confident as well as understand the concepts better.

After scoring 470 the first time, I didn't think a 600 was even possible for me, but after putting in the time I was able to achieve that. I actually feel I should have done better from my practice tests, but oh well.

If you have any questions about the MGMAT or study materials in general let me know. I know exactly how you feel.

Greg

No. You need good advice, but you need it badly.

I guess take some practice tests and read up the theory from one of the books. It should be enough to get a ~500 score.

If timing was your problem, practice tests should help to address it.

Well, that is what happens when you take it cold! Never a wise idea.

Try to forget the score (almost no one does well cold turkey) and start your prep. The Cracking book is a great book for strategy. Go through it from beginning to end before you take a practice test. Get the Official Guide too, and download the GMATPrep tests from mba.com.

Don't reschedule your test until you've taken a few practice tests (don't do more than one a week). You don't want another nasty surprise if you're not ready.

Don't worry about what mba.com says about score increases...most people don't go in and take it cold, but do some prep first. You're much more likely to see a 100-point increase since you're just starting to prep than someone who prepped for three months and then bombed it.

Thanks for all the replies. For me to start school in August I need to take the GMAT again in mid July. I have not studied yet and I can not seem to get past my score. I have actually thought about an online MBA at school that does not require the GMAT . Oh what luck I can not seem to get motivated after the test. I keep telling myself to get on it and just do!! I'll figure it out and maybe not start till Jan 09 and that way I have ample time to prepare and get my score. Again thanks!!

I feel your pain.. i had the same thing i need about 500 and i got around 300 so i will be taking it again on july end . i would like to ask for advise of how should i prepare and u guys think that one month is enough for preparation to raise the score by 200 and also how many hours should i devote for practice..

Mahatab,

It is definitely possible, as I have seen it happen! I would recommend looking over the results of your first test to find your weak spots. Are missing all questions equally once they hit the 400 level? Or is Data Sufficiency questions in particular that trip you up? Focus on your weak points, but also devote a good amount of studying to the other areas. (Would you believe I scored higher in Verbal than Math, even though I was a Math major? It's because I didn't focus enough on studying the math!)

As far as the number of hours, that depends on your particular situation. Maybe a quick math review will do the trick, and once you relearn the concepts your score will shoot up. Or, if you're having equal difficulties across areas, more studying will be necessary. Having good materials is also essential, so that you study hard and you study smart!

What I recommend is to take a practice test every week or so, and track your progress. This should give you an idea if you are on track to your goal, or if you need to study more.

Best wishes,

Tatiana

Um, what school are you applying to that you can start just a few weeks after taking the GMAT? Usually you apply the fall before you start, not that summer. Or did you get a conditional acceptance and just need to retake?

thanks for all the advices and feedback.. actually.. i did my bachelors in managament and I am planning to do my masters in information system.. so it requires 2 pre req classes.. hence i am taking it in summer and get over with it so thass y i am taking 2 summer classes and also GMAT prep classes and i am really having hard time balancing my schedule. i still cannot figure how many hours a day should devote to GMAT and what are the books that you recommend for studying . i know i am good in math its just i have hard time putting the math problems in mathematical problems and also data sufficiency. Secondly.. i am thinking of taking it in august 1st .. i just wanted to know if 2 month is enuff to increase the score about 200 points more. Your suggestions and advise would be highly appreciated and thanks guys once again atleast i am not getting demotivated and panicing more