From 680 (gmatprep) to a 590 (real test). You can do it too!

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/sarcasm off

hi all,

So I took my test yesterday.
Basic background: I'm not very good in math or verbal(at least I thought I was okay)

I started studying on 7/1/2011. I averaged about 15-20 hours of studying per month as I work full-time.
I went through the quantitative section of the 60 day study guide in about 5 months. Then I browsed through the RC MGMAT book and read the SC and CR MGMAT books. I've done every single problem the in OG12 and the supplementals. I usually do a quick review of what I get wrong, but I don't go back to reattempt these problems.

Here are my test scores listed below.

7/1 550 (Q32, V33) gmatprep 1 (baseline)
1/7 640 (Q43, V35) gmatprep 1 retest
2/4 640 (Q44, V33) mgmat 1
3/10 650 (Q40, V39) mgmat 2
4/7 680 (Q44, V38) gmatprep2
4/26 620 (Q42, V34) gmatprep2 retest on the new gmatprep 2.0 software
4/30 590 (Q40, V31) real GMAT

after the 4/7 test I was feeling good. And I decided to go through Aristotle SC. I read the book cover to cover and did all the SC problems. I got approximately 75 of the 100 questions correct. Feeling good about the SC portion I went back to retake the gmatprep2 test to see my score plummet to 620. That test was unnerving, and 3 days later I get a 590. Notice my verbal dropped below my baseline score?


What should I do? I never bothered making an error log, perhaps in retrospect, I should have done so. I'm looking for a tutor at this point too, to help me identify my weaknesses.
Last edited by galak on Tue May 01, 2012 2:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by transfer9858 » Tue May 01, 2012 1:07 pm
You scored a 680 as your highest; your average was around 620 though. A 590 is annoying but its in range of your potential scores. if you think thats annoying, i was averaging high 600's and got a 570....

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by galak » Tue May 01, 2012 2:11 pm
Thanks for the reply! I went back to read some of your older posts. I guess it's nice to have a few people in the same boat.

Are you planning to retake?
What's your strategy going forward?

After semi-vetting a few GMAT tutors on craigslist, I choose a tutor and will begin a 2 hour session this Friday to test the water.

In the meantime, I'm going to go once more over through the MGMAT books with a fine tooth come and make sure I understand every freaking thing it teaches me. With the exception of going through the advanced section as I felt I placed too much focus and concern on those portions and not enough time on the fundamentals.