Hi experts - I am reaching out for some assistance to develop a sound plan of attack for a unique situation I am in.
I sat the GMAT twice in 2013, scoring 480 both times. My study wasn't 100% adequate and I have remained challenged by the general quant sections, but my verbal performance is solid. I had been preparing with Manhattan GMAT Prep books and the OG but have had a hard timing managing study on top of an intensive job (and family/personal commitments).
Unfortunately, in my test attempts, I ran late in the verbal, I wore out and lost concentration both times and ended up repeating the reading of the questions which cost me big time as I was forced to rush the final 10 questions. My quant was poor but I was h oping my verbal would get me through. I know I get tired which is where I drop the marks towards the end of the exam in the verbal section. My quant is poor - I guess 25% of the questions and make silly errors with some of the data sufficiency and problem solving parts because I don't have a strong enough comprehension of the basic algebra - despite hours and hours of work on this.
I have recently completed an intensive GMAT course which I found to be excellent and I can highly recommend it to anyone in need of further strategic insights into what the test is looking for and how it is set out.
I booked to sit the exam one week following the intensive course (in three days time) and I am now having second thoughts. I have been studying intensively during the course and post-course, however I sat two practice tests and scored 510, then 520. Each time I got about 20th percentile quant scores and 70th percentile verbal scores I think. These results are far from my goal of achieving a score in the 600's.
What should I do? Do I keep hammering away intensively and sit the test for the third time so I can send in my applications this final round? I might add that I do have a strong application in the other areas admissions require strengths in, however my GMAT score is a clear red flag. I really had hoped to apply this year for many reasons, which I won't go into now.
In three days is it possible to push through to the 600's? I have time to do two more practice tests and more revision on the areas I am weaker on (quant). Or do I just work relentlessly at improving everything I can with my verbal so I nail it on the day? Eeek...so risky.
I don't want to risk getting a low score which could limit my chances of being accepted - and - we all know about the selectivity of third round. But, as an eternal optimist, do I just hit it while I am in the zone and in study mode and hope for the best?
How do you know when enough is enough?
Thank you for your insights.
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Third attempt - time is of the essence - help
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Hi JM2014,
You should repost this in the Strategy Forum; this is the Forum for the Official Test Maker.
The short answer to your question is that your practice CAT scores essentially say that you're not ready to score in the 600s yet. However you went about studying for the GMAT, that process was not enough to help you to hit your goal. The good news is that Business Schools don't care if you retest. The bad news is that you're probably going to have to continue studying and take the GMAT at a later date.
DO NOT take any more practice CATs in the next few days. Since you're so close to your scheduled Test Date, there's no benefit to taking another practice CAT. You could continue to study and do some light review, IF you want to take your GMAT as planned. You technically don't have to take it; you'll still be charged $250, but there won't be an Official Score if you don't show up. As it stands, there's no real harm if you take it as planned, but you haven't prepared enough to score at your goal level, so improving 100 points in a few days is not likely to occur.
All that having been said, you haven't stated which schools you're applying to. It might be that your overall application is strong enough to make you a decent applicant (even with your current GMAT scores). Business Schools understand that not all applicants are great Test Takers, so you're not necessarily out of the running.
The worst case scenario is that you have to retake the GMAT and apply at a later date. Don't talk yourself out of your professional or career goals because you've had some trouble with a standardized Test. You can learn to beat it. You'll probably have to acquire some new resources to do so.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
You should repost this in the Strategy Forum; this is the Forum for the Official Test Maker.
The short answer to your question is that your practice CAT scores essentially say that you're not ready to score in the 600s yet. However you went about studying for the GMAT, that process was not enough to help you to hit your goal. The good news is that Business Schools don't care if you retest. The bad news is that you're probably going to have to continue studying and take the GMAT at a later date.
DO NOT take any more practice CATs in the next few days. Since you're so close to your scheduled Test Date, there's no benefit to taking another practice CAT. You could continue to study and do some light review, IF you want to take your GMAT as planned. You technically don't have to take it; you'll still be charged $250, but there won't be an Official Score if you don't show up. As it stands, there's no real harm if you take it as planned, but you haven't prepared enough to score at your goal level, so improving 100 points in a few days is not likely to occur.
All that having been said, you haven't stated which schools you're applying to. It might be that your overall application is strong enough to make you a decent applicant (even with your current GMAT scores). Business Schools understand that not all applicants are great Test Takers, so you're not necessarily out of the running.
The worst case scenario is that you have to retake the GMAT and apply at a later date. Don't talk yourself out of your professional or career goals because you've had some trouble with a standardized Test. You can learn to beat it. You'll probably have to acquire some new resources to do so.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
