Devastated by the GMAT

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Devastated by the GMAT

by sallespadua » Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:55 am
Yesterday was a day I want to delete from my memory. Got a 560 (44M; 23V). I got very, very, nervous and had trouble with time management during sections and had to guess around 2, 3 questions in both math and verbal. I can't believe I missed

The thing is, I was scoring between 660 and 730 in official practice tests (Math 47>>50; Verbal 29>> 38), believe this?

I'm definitely going to try again! I think it is better to don't let the new attempt go too far. I was wondering give my second try in middle of March. Advices from people who nailed in the second try will be very helpfull...

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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:25 am
I haven't taken it again yet. I got a 680 two weeks ago. The most important thing though, is time managment. If you are worried about the clock, and constantly rushing, you will make simple mistakes. This will result in you missing the questions you know how to do and you will still miss the questions that you don't know how to do. I would say take a CAT a week and specifically focus on time management.
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by money9111 » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:10 am
Would you suggest taking the CAT exams, but just focusing on the Verbal portion over and over again to get the timing down? I know eventually you'd exhaust the questions, but maybe for timing purposes?
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by carllecat » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:39 pm
Why don't you take some mock test in the worst possible situations? Late in the evening, very early in the morning, TV on, cellphone on... you know what I mean?

When you get to the test centre for the real test, your concentration should not be a problem anymore.

P.S.: I am serious with the suggestions above!

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by sallespadua » Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:51 pm
Guys,

You know what is not fair?? I've just finished the GMATPrep 2 and got exactly a 700 recognizing only 2 previous questions in the verbal section and none in math, total: 50M/ 34V. I managed the time pretty well finishing Math with 3,5 min in advance and Verbal with 1 min.

The main question is, how was that lousy scoring 23V in the actual test?

Well my conclusion is, I got too nervous! One thing leaded to another and the result was a total disaster in "G" day.

Also, of course, I need to improve my Verbal skills. I think I'm going to do an immersion in the SC MGMAT bible and try boost my CR with different kinds of questions. RC will always depend on my mood reading the texts, I believe.

My record of errors, of a total of 12 out of the 41 questions:
RC 6 errors
SC 4 errors
CR 2 errors

I've never took the MGMAT CAT tests. How is your guys' perception of those tests, both on the subject and evaluation of the students' skills?

I'll schedule a second appointment for the end of March. For this week I'm just going to forget "Feb, 8th" and stop punishing myself enjoying the Brazilian carnival in Rio!

Thank you, anyway! My hope is your hope!! We're all in this together!

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by money9111 » Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:28 pm
If you want the most accurate assessment of your verbal skills then MGMAT CAT exams are not the best gauge.

If your breakdown as a 50Q/34V on your first exam... I'd say that's pretty darn good. Think of how much more calm you'll be the next time, now that you've been through it once? Don't put so much pressure on your first score. There's nothing wrong with having to take it again.

"RC will always depend on my mood reading the texts, I believe." What I've started doing is telling myself within teh first couple of words that I generally like the subject matter. It's great when you actually do, and oddly enough for me this happens quite often. I like science... and I like animals... planets... business... I don't like history though ;-)... but if you tell yourself that you like the RC passage, you'll be able to comprehend it better. It takes practice though.

"Brazilian carnival in Rio! " = LUCKY!!!
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