GMAT Strategy

Hi guys,

I was knocked out by the GMAT a few weeks ago but now determined the get the score I know I'm capable of. Before my actual GMAT, I'd taken 13 practice exams (MGMAT, GMATPrep, Veritas) and scored within the 600-700 range. On my last four practices exams my scores were the following:

6/16/13: Veritas: Q36 V:40: 650
6/23/13: GMATPREP: Q37 V38: 620
7/20/13: GMAT PREP: Q46 V40: 700
7/27/13: MGMAT: Q44 V39: 690

I've taken an MGMAT course, worked with tutors and I study 2 hours every weekday and take a practice exam every Saturday and use Sunday to review. I'm hoping you all can shed some light on other things I can be doing since despite my diligence I got whipped on test day.

To add more context, here's a snap shot of my test day experience. While I went to be at 9pm, I didn't get great sleep because my upstairs neighbour has elephant feet and was stomping away until 2am. I woke up at 5:30am (normal time for me), got ready, had breakfast (2 eggs, turkey and wheat bread) and headed to the test center and hour in advance.

While getting registered, I did have a scare. One of the proctors was on a power trip and told me I'd have to take off my long sleeve camo shirt, which can be worn as jacket but I wear as a shirt with a cami underneath. After some back and forth, I convinced her that she didn't need to call my sponsor or make me take it off, that I'd gladly sacrifice a little more time for her to screen me when I take breaks (didn't add more time to screening FYI).

So, I start the exam, the ear plugs felt funny and a little harsh. They were different from the ones I normally use which were soft and easy insert. Anyways, I start the exam, I felt good about the AWA and IR. Took my break, had a power bar and some Gatorade then went after quant. Quant is normally my weak area, but I didn't feel too bad about it, I got some tough questions, which I told myself meant I was trending well with the difficulty.

My second break, I have a banana and the other half of my Gatorade and then head back for Verbal. Verbal is usually my stronger suit and I score in the high 80's, low 90's. At question 20, I realized I'm making great time, and then out of nowhere, I get this dense RC passage and I start to lose focus. I got 2 more RC passages all scientific topics (total of 4 RCs)and that's when I started to get a little flustered, I wasn't as confident as I was in the first half of questions.

I finish the exam and see Q39 V27: 550

Verbal was a big disappointment for me and ended up being the culprit taking me away from my target of 650.

I gave myself the weekend off and on Monday I picked the studying back up. Since Verbal was disappointing, I've made it a point to balance out the time I give studying for both sections better. I now am using OG13 and drill and review questions of each type a day.

Monday: PS
Tuesday: RC
Wednesday: CR
Thursday: DS
Friday: SC

I spend an hour before work and between 1-2 hours after work performing these drills, reviewing errors and subjects of errors. I plan to take a practice exam each Saturday like I normally do but this time will try harder to simulate test day experience by taking the exam in a library as opposed to my kitchen counter.

I also plan to read through MGMAT SC Guide once more and review my notes taking from Powerscore CR and review the chapters of topics I'm consistently missing.

Blogging on this forum is also a first, I would appreciate your feedback and support throughout this process. Please feel free to comment on my retake strategy
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