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Destined to bomb the GMAT? Low quant

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Destined to bomb the GMAT? Low quant

by riddlemethis828 » Sun Dec 16, 2012 4:43 pm
I studied hard for about 3 months using Manhattan GMAT and Kaplan books and took the GMAT on May 30th (before the test changed) and got the following:



I took some time off due to obligations at work and personal issues but I've been studying quant for about 2 months now using Knewton's online course (did sessions 1-10 including all of the homework, extra practice homework, quizzes, etc.) I didn't touch the more advance Sessions 11-12 or Session 13, the overall review.

I just took a Knewton diagnostic and got the following score:

38 Q (48th percentile)/36 V (79th percentile). Overall score: 600

I knew my verbal score would go down a bit since I have not been touching it but I thought my quant would go up. I ended up having 10 minutes left on verbal so I know that I should work on my pacing and at least review the verbal books that I used before I take the actual exam. But I still have no idea what to do about my lackluster quant performance. I think that taking the exam in time to meet Round 2 deadlines is now a far-fetched dream, especially since I have not spent nearly as much time on my apps as I would have liked to. I'm scheduled to take the exam on December 26th.

I really want to go to M.I.T. but I'm starting to think that is very unrealistic in general, let alone for Fall 2013 admission. My exam is scheduled for the day before their app is due (December 27th -- their second and final round). (I have only worked on their app so far).

My access to Knewton's course runs out on December 31st so I won't have that as a resource anymore either. I'm not sure what else to try or to use and I also have limited funds so I cannot get private tutoring. I'm really trying not to cry right now. I'm not used to failing like this and I'm feeling incredibly frustrated that my quant does not seem to have gone up after so many weeks (and hours) of studying. Any suggestions?

(As an aside, since I know people will probably ask, my current job is not quant heavy at all. I work for a non-profit and my job involves a great deal of writing.)
Last edited by riddlemethis828 on Fri Feb 14, 2014 8:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:21 am
Before you do anything else (e.g., hire a tutor, feel even more frustrated, continue using the phrase " far-fetched dream," etc.), take a free official practice test https://www.mba.com/the-gmat/download-fr ... tware.aspx

At the moment, you're comparing apples and oranges. At best, you're comparing 2 different kinds of apples. On one hand, you have the official GMAT, which uses official GMAT questions and the official GMAT scoring algorithm. Also keep in mind that the test-makers collect a lot of data on every single question, and every question has been asked in a formal testing environment so that the well-prepared test-takers are trying their best to answer every question. While many 3rd-party practice tests are good, there's no way that they can be as accurate as the official practice tests. These 3rd-party tests don't use retired GMAT questions, they don't use the official scoring algorithm, and the data collected on each question isn't as accurate because the students taking the tests often haven't completed their studies.

So, while 3rd-party tests are great for practicing your test-taking skills, and for identifying weaknesses, you shouldn't use them as the sole basis for concluding that you haven't advanced in your studies.

If you're going to compare your official score of 600 with another test result, use an official practice test.

Cheers,
Brent
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by riddlemethis828 » Mon Dec 17, 2012 4:16 pm
Thanks for your response, Brent. Unfortunately, I have already used both of the official practice tests in preparing for the May 2012 sitting. (Last May, I scored in the 55th percentile in Quant on the official tests and the 70th percentile in Quant on the one Manhattan GMAT test I took). Each of the tests was incredibly accurate in predicting my verbal score but I was clearly all over the place in quant (and ultimately ended up doing poorly on the real deal, getting a 640 overall with a 48th percentile quant score).

Since my 640 score was already sent to M.I.T. last May, I'm assuming that I would be viewed with suspicion if I even attempted to try the GRE instead...?

Regardless, I don't think there is much I can do to raise my quant score in 8 days.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:19 pm
Agreed. 8 days isn't much time.

I should point out, however, that you can take the official GMATPrep tests multiple times, and see only a few repeated questions each time. I wrote an article about it: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/03/ ... iple-times

Since you took the tests back in May, you will likely have forgotten most of the questions anyway.

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by riddlemethis828 » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:43 am
Brent, thanks so much for your input. I'll retake a GMAT prep test to see where I am at. That being said, I am pretty sure that I'm still definitely not in the 700+ arena.

Do you know if B School admissions committees look critically at each score obtained and the number of times a student has to take the exam?

The reason why I ask is because I'm debating whether I should still go ahead and give the exam on the off chance that my score goes up even slightly or whether I should just change the date for this spring and apply in the first round of Fall 2013. I have to decide by the end of the day today in order to only pay $50 to reschedule.

I spoke to one of my top 3 schools and they told me that I can still submit my application by their early January deadline (since that is the cut off for scholarships) and that they will consider an updated score from me so long as it is submitted before their final round deadline in April. (Unfortunately, my other two top choices said they do not do allow updated scores for tests written after their deadline).

So far, I've only taken the GMAT once and obtained a dismal 640 (89th percentile Verbal/48th percentile Quant). I'm not sure how the schools would view a second, onlymarginally better score even if I did obtain a much stronger and more balanced GMAT score after a third attempt.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:49 am
My primary focus is on preparing students for the GMAT, so I don't know much about the Business School application process. That said, I believe that most programs wouldn't hold the scenario you describe against you.

Any experts out there want to comment?

Cheers,
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by riddlemethis828 » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:11 pm
Thanks for the response, Brent. I've asked in the ask the experts section.

Any advice on how far out I should schedule the exam? Do you think that late March would be too little or too much time (assuming I'm also not studying 25 hours a week like I have currently been doing if I am still submitting two apps in mid-January)? :D
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:20 pm
That's a tough question.
On one hand, some people won't begin studying unless there's a ticking clock. On the other hand, you want to give yourself sufficient time to prepare.

I typically suggest that students achieve their target score on at least 2 practices tests before they take the official test.

Having said all of that, 100 to 150 hours of prep time is usually enough.

I hope that helps.

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by riddlemethis828 » Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:04 pm
Thanks, Brent. What do you think of the GMAT's online diagnostic tool (bundle of 3) to pinpoint my weak areas in quant?
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Dec 18, 2012 1:46 pm
riddlemethis828 wrote:Thanks, Brent. What do you think of the GMAT's online diagnostic tool (bundle of 3) to pinpoint my weak areas in quant?
I think they're okay (you only get 24 questions per test).

Here are some others' opinions:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-focus-o ... t9665.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-focus-a ... 11411.html
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-focus-o ... 12398.html

Another option is to use an Error Log (aka Improvement Chart) while completing questions from the Official Guide (OG). You can find a free downloadable Improvement Chart here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/gmat-error-log

I've attached one as well.

Cheers,
Brent
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by riddlemethis828 » Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:10 pm
Thanks, Brent. I rescheduled for February 25th. I hope that gives me enough time to nail this test once and for all.
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