Blasted by the GMAT 650(Q 48, V31)

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Blasted by the GMAT 650(Q 48, V31)

by dewal » Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:13 am
Gave the GMAT today and was shocked to see my Verbal score.
Although i scored reasonably good on my GMAT prep tests (consistently 700 -730), i dont know whta happened today.
Anyways.. am planning to take the GMAT again. Can somebody suggest me tha appropriate time to attempt it again. i.e after how my=uch time should i retake it. And the most important thing.. can someone please suggest a way to improve my Verbal.
Please suggest.

Thanks in Advance.

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by VP_Jim » Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:06 pm
Hi dewal,

What was your general score breakdown on (some of) your practice tests? Also, what score are you aiming for (650 is definitely a respectable score)? Do you have an idea of what kind of Verbal questions you had trouble with (Reading Comprehension, etc.), or was it just general? How was your timing/pacing on the test?

Which practice tests have you done? Keep in mind that the algorithm used to calculate scores on the actual GMAT is extremely complex and completely proprietary, so tests from prep course companies will not be able to EXACTLY predict the score you'll get on the actual test.

Lastly, you might have just gotten nervous on the actual test date, and did not perform up to your usual standards. As for how long you should study before you take the test again, it really depends on you - do you feel you would benefit from a lot more studying? I'd recommend focusing on mainly practicing Verbal questions for now, and after a week or two or so (maybe sooner if you're feeling confident), take another practice test and see if you've improved, and set your actual test date based on that.

Hope this helps, and good luck!
Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

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by dewal » Fri Jun 27, 2008 2:03 pm
Hi VP_Jim

Thanks for the advice. My general break down in the practise tests in Quant stayed consistent from 48-50. One or Two times it went to 44 but not below that. But my Verbal score varied. From 31-38-40 and like these. In the GMAT Prep tests, i scored around 35-38 even in the retakes.
The pacing of my tests was also good. I neither had time problems nor do i think i panicked. The only problem i face doing verbal questions is... when i filter down to 2 options out of 5. This problem i faced while in my practise tests also.. and i am pretty sure i goofed up again in the actual in the questions where i was confused among two options .. especially in CR and SC. I dont have an understanding problem of the concepts i believe as i have done the Manhattan SC Guide for SC and also piced up good queues from the forum for tackling CR and RC questions.

I am planning to focus on my verbal right now, but the problem is i have exhausted my material in the previous attempt. OG-11, Princeton and Kaplan. Also the GMAT Prep tests. Can you suggest some other material which can be useful and strategies to tackle the 1 out of 2 options problem.


Thanks in Advance..

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by dextar » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:05 am
Hi even I have a similar problem. verbal is a big mess and I also landed up getting 26 in verbal on the d-day.