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do you guys reccommend taking the gmat more than once?

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do you guys reccommend taking the gmat more than once?

by semidevil » Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:15 pm
Ideally, I want to just study for a few months, take practice CATS, and just go there once and get a good score. However, i'm hearing some suggestions to take it once just to get the 'feel' of it first.

I know a lot of people on this board also took the test more then once, with the most recent exam being their best score.

For someone to get the best possible score, do you think it is important to go there once to get a 'practice' run first?

Are the CAT's enough to give you the general feel?
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by Bara » Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:21 pm
Everyone takes tests differently. Depending on your history of taking high-stakes tests -- only you can determine if a real CAT diagnostic test will give you an adequate feel, to go in, and take the real thing.

While it should give you a general idea of the test, the 'real' thing will be different because it's real.

Once you DO take a diagnostic, which I recommend before you begin study, you'll have a sense of how long you need to study. You might not need a few months, but only a few weeks or a month - - depends on what other obligations you have and how efficient you set up your study.

All that said, most people take the test more than once, however, it's most advisable to do this after you study rather than going in cold. Why? Because once you've moved through it as the 'you-who-takes-tests,' you'll have a better idea of what you need to do to close the deal and get your optimal score.

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by ajk2010 » Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:46 pm
Why not go into the test planning to only take it once? If you do this you'll prepare for it as best you can. If you go into it knowing that you're just going to take it again there isn't really any pressure to do well, so you probably won't study as much/as efficiently and you probably won't do as well thus warranting you to retake it. Self-fulfilling prophecy I guess.
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by VP_Jim » Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:43 pm
I agree - nothing is more discouraging to me, as a teacher, than when a student starts asking me about taking the test a second time BEFORE that student has even attempted the GMAT once.

Have the attitude that you're going to study hard, take the GMAT, do well on your first attempt, and be done with it. As posted above, if you view the first try as a "practice run", you are less likely to do well.

Worry about a second try if it comes to that, but not until then!
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by havok » Wed May 04, 2011 12:23 pm
Pardon the resurrection of an old topic - but this is great advice.

Although the "safety net" mentality might help some people calm their nerves - it's definitely a last resort. Otherwise, you're just wasting one attempt.

One and done for me hopefully!
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