HOW DID IT COME TO THIS AND WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE??

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GMAT Score:500
***TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: I have included only the most vital details for decent analysis of my situation. Although, mentally bruised and battered, I still have the audacity to hope. Here is short summary of my painfully, yet enlightening journey of the GMAT. ***

May 2006 to May 2009:

Graduated from Northern Illinois University with B.S in Political Science (Cum GPA 2.72, last 4 semesters GPA 3.25) . The day after graduation became a managing partner with a highly competitive company in the Chicago wireless retail industry (age 26). Within a short period became responsible for the total operations of multiple locations throughout the Chicago-land area, which also included managing a staff of 15 employees. After significant business achievements and invaluable business experience, a corporate merger which included a restructuring decision, led me to seek an MBA.

June 2009 to Nov 2009:

Enrolled in the Manhattan GMAT prep course
Studied moderately (3-5 week, 4 hours day)
Took GMAT 11/20/2009:
Q: 25, 15% ; V: 31, 58%
TOTAL: 480 30%
:x
(*HAD TERRIBLE TEST ANXIETY, SLEPT 4 HOURS NIGHT BEFORE)

Dec 2009 to April 2010:

Feeling like something was mentally wrong with me, I check with my family doctor. She diagnosed me with ADD and prescribed Adderall, but felt I should see a specialist. 2nd diagnosis confirmed initial diagnosis. Applied for time extension accommodation on GMAT, after several weeks GMAC denied request. Devastated but not defeated, I tripled my efforts to reach a score in the 90% percentile.
Resources Used:
OG 12
OG verbal & quant
All 8 Manhattan strategy guides
Powerscore Critical Reasoning Bible
Kaplan GMAT Platinum CD 2005
800score.com
Pretty much exhausted any GMAT material which I found at the library and various pdf downloads from torrent website. Took over 15 practice exams ranging from 550-700. Rigorously, studied 6 days a week & 9 hours a day in the library. Consequently isolated myself from sunlight and any remaining social life and made the GMAT my primary purpose for living (to the unhealthy extent of losing 30lbs, but it was perhaps the side effects of the ADD medication). Even started studying hypnosis and mediation for achieving peak performance during stressful situations. :roll:

Took 2nd GMAT on 4/20/2010
Q: 32, 33% ; V: 27, 42%
TOTAL: 500, 35%
:shock:
(*HAD RELATIVITY LOW TEST ANXIETY, SLEEP 8 HOURS NIGHT BEFORE)

4/27/2010 and beyond...

New scaled down goal is to enroll in a top 50 full time MBA program, and after carefully consideration of my current options I am planning on attempting the GMAT a 3rd time. Perhaps delusional, but my aim is to score somewhere in range of a 670-700. Also, I am planing on taking the exam by the next available date, which can be as soon as 5/22/2010. I am open for any suggestions or advice in regards to what I can realistically achieve. Also, with my current profile if you think I am competitive at any top 50 MBA program.

I truly appreciate any feedback!!

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by ReachingHigher » Thu May 06, 2010 10:05 am
Hello,

You know...you may want to read some of the other posts on here about lower GMAT scores.

I understand how you feel...100%. I have taken it several times, and I have gotten nothing better than a 550.

I must confess - I was and have been letting other outside factors affect my performance. That is what happens to us all.

I think you just need to sit down and identify what is going on. Do you need a tutor? Do you need to take a class? Or, are you just too freaked out for no reason?

Many posts on here (under Admissions Success Stories), really do spin a positive light on admissions. One motivated person got a 610 and admission to Cornell! Just take heart that the GMAT is not everything.

You may want to just take a class. Manhattan GMAT is an excellent class. Take this one - it is the best. It is expensive. If you cannot afford it, consider getting their 8 guide series. Just keep going.

I know how text anxiety is. The first time I took this thing, I got a 530. I cried in my car and it took me 20 minutes to get myself together. The GMAT depressed me so much that it took me 2 years to take it again.

What have I learned from all this? This test does NOT control your life. You got through undergrad and now you have a great job. You are intelligent and you are successful. A test will never determine your success. NEVER.

So, get back on the horse. Get back to the books and keep going. Just try and figure out what is going on. Is it the content you cannot quite master? Timing? Anxiety?

Whatever it is, go for it. You can do it. I look forward to hearing your success story on here shortly.

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by ReachingHigher » Thu May 06, 2010 10:08 am
I apologize...I see that you did take the MGMAT course.

Sorry for the error.

-A

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by DanaJ » Thu May 06, 2010 11:00 am
OMG you've let it take over your life! Check out this article.

You seem to have done everything by the book. There is something you have not considered though: getting help from a tutor. You might just be the type of person that learns best when having one on one sessions with a pro.