Target Test Prep 20% Off Flash Sale is on! Code: FLASH20

Redeem
Target Test Prep
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP

Available with Beat the GMAT members only code

MORE DETAILS
Target Test Prep
Magoosh
Magoosh
Study with Magoosh GMAT prep

Available with Beat the GMAT members only code

MORE DETAILS
Magoosh

Consistently Testing in Single Digit Percentiles

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 12:22 pm

Consistently Testing in Single Digit Percentiles

by amcclu12 » Fri Sep 29, 2017 12:41 pm
I'm a bit distraught and becoming more convinced that I have an IQ lower than Forrest Gump.

I haven't taken the real test yet, I'm using the practice tests from mba.com. I've watched the Kaplan quaint videos, I've read up on strategies for every section of the test, I've been doing problems out of the OG/prep software (and a few library books), and been keeping a bit of an error log.

My first practice test score was 320 and the latest one (Monday) was a 360. I need to get at least a 500, which apparently shouldn't be hard to do, but I'm struggling to get any kind of improvement. My test is on 10/13.

I've become obsessed about trying to do well, but nothing seems to be working. Don't have money for a private tutor/additional materials and I promise I'm decent when it comes to classwork, but unless I get to that mark, the grad school I'm applying to correlates a bad test score to the level of success I'll experience in their program.

Advice? :(
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2095
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:22 pm
Thanked: 1443 times
Followed by:247 members

by ceilidh.erickson » Mon Oct 02, 2017 1:38 pm
Usually scores that low indicate that you have some content-mastery to achieve, but also that you need to perfect your test-taking technique.

1. How was your timing? If you run out of time and miss several questions at the end, your score will tank.
- make sure you're timing yourself on practice problems & cutting yourself off after 2 min
- make sure you have a strategy to track time during the exam: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... nt-part-3/

2. What's your breakdown of quant v. verbal? You said that you've done quant practice, but didn't mention verbal. You might find it easier to boost your score there to get the 500.

Here's a general study plan: https://www.beatthegmat.com/materials-an ... tml#787892

Advice on how to study for free (or very little $$): https://www.beatthegmat.com/a-place-to-s ... tml#786920

What to do each week before the test: https://www.beatthegmat.com/need-advice- ... tml#799549

Good luck!
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Oct 02, 2017 7:32 pm
Hi amcclu12,

To hit your score goal, you don't have to correctly answer ANY questions that you think are too hard or too weird, so you have to accept that it's okay to occasionally 'dump' questions on purpose. That way, you'll save time which you can then spend on all of the other 'gettable' questions. After reviewing your last CAT, how many of the questions did you get wrong that you COULD have gotten correct? There are a variety of different 'score combinations' that will get you to a 500+, but you'll have to minimize the number of silly/little mistakes that you make.

Raising a 360 to a 500+ in just 10 days might be too difficult of a task to be considered realistic. Do you have the flexibility to push back your Test Date?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1