Disappointment: last OffPrep 720, today's test 660. Retake?

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As per title. I did 4 simulations on the official prep software, 3 on tests 1, the last one on test 2 which I wanted to keep untouched until the end. Scores were 690, 710, 710 and 720 but today huge disappointment, a bad 660 which barely makes me top 20%, when I was thinking I had the top 10% in the bag.

The London Pearson Vue centre had a major technical problem that, let alone forcing those that should have taken the exam early in the morning to basically forfeit it, made me start 2 hours late. I was irritated by it, but I guess that after the two essays I was just hindered by the normal nervousness of the exam.

I take it was the Q part that let me down (44, a mere 69%, 38 for verbal which was still top 20% albeit my lowest ever)...

I didnt need any specific score, but I was justt expecting more, given the simulations. Would anybody know if top consultancies would still regard 660 as a good score?

I still can't believe it's so much lower than test prep...

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by Osirus@VeritasPrep » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:48 pm
Boy do I know that feeling. My last 3 practice scores were 700, 720, and 700 and then I got a 680 on the actual test. I know how you feel.

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by money9111 » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:49 pm
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Top Consultancies would not regard 660 as a great score. These companies have many MBA's from top schools where the averages are 700+. So keep that in mind when you think of your competition. I'm sure there are people who have scored a 660 and have gotten into top consultancies and have done well. I just think your chances would be better with a 700+ but that's a given.

When you did your practice exams did you do the essays too?
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by sallespadua » Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:12 pm
I'd give another try in another opportunity!

But don't pressure yourself too much! Maybe this is one of causes of lower score. Remember that you already have a 660 and this score is in the middle 80% of a lot of TOP 20's.

I'll give my first try in next week, but my range in Practice CATs is wider than yours (660 to 730). I just hope in THE DAY I'll have illumination from all the gods :)))

Good luck!

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by Asterion » Mon Feb 01, 2010 3:40 pm
money9111 wrote: When you did your practice exams did you do the essays too?
No, I never did, but I don't think that can have affected me. I deliberately left the last 5 minutes of the essays to just focus and compose myself. Some of the questions I got in the Q section seemed really difficult and I thought it was a good sign. But I was wrong.

I have to say I was very annoyed at those plastified block notes we had to use. What's wrong with normal pen and paper?
But I don't think it can only be that. Quant was really bad and although verbal was a top 20% score, it was still my lowest ever.

The problem is, I think I was well prepared and I get the feeling that further preparation might not change much. But I don't just want to go back and "hope it'll be better"...

I'm not sure.

Thank you all for the sympathy.

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by money9111 » Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:23 am
It may not have been the "only" thing, but that mentally... writing two essays for an hour before tackling the Quant section can have adverse effect.
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