Very Low GMAT - Need Advice for retake

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Very Low GMAT - Need Advice for retake

by farrukhq » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:18 am
Hi Lisa,

Just took gmat and got 560. I was hoping to get atleast 620 on the lower side. I have prepared for 8 months. I am completely shell shocked :(

I took the following course:
1. Took 7 weeks instructor led Princeton Review GMAT prep module
and Practiced the following:
2. Princeton Review GMAT Manual Version 8.2
3. Kaplan GMAT 800 2007-08 Edition
4. Kaplan GMAT Math WorkBook 5th Edition
5. Kaplan GMAT Verbal WorkBook 4th Edition
6. OG Review 11th Edition
7. Barrons (For Quant Theory)
8. Various Online Material (For Verbal and AWA)

I am from engg. background, plus I did most of the quant of above mentioned resources with great ease.
As of my actual exam experianece, RC was tough, but surprisingly quant appeared to be very tough. I simply couldn't get it, even the problem sums were presented so abstractly that they seemed more difficult than DS.
Could it be a coincidence or GMAC has recently changed the pattern of quant questions??
None of the quant on the test seemed to follow the pattern of any material i practiced.
My prep. was complete, in fact i was very confident about quant, i was only worried about time factor but never felt weak about the difficulty level of quant. i am feeling very low.
Please advice what should be my strategy to improve my score.
What other material for verbal and especially for quant should i practice to improve my score.

Regards,
Farrukh
farrukh
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by Lisa Anderson » Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:19 pm
Dear Farrukh,

I understand your concern and disappointment. However, you should try not to dwell much on it and focus your energy towards your next exam. Practice tests are great preparation to get you used to the types of questions and the time limit, but they are not the same as the actual exams. It is highly possible the test designers have increased the difficulty of many questions, but more likely the randomness of the questions combined with your anxiety are what threw you off.

I think the books sold by GMAC are the best self-prep materials as they are actual retired questions from the exams. I also think it is best to take as many computer-based practice tests that simulate the actual exam in terms of randomness of questions and time limits. It is up to you if you feel you need to go back to a test prep service or not.

Perhaps others on the forum have advice for you?

Good luck,
Lisa
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