Hi All, I've just taken my first practice test using the official GMATPrep software.
My score was miraculously 610 (35 Q, 38 V).
I say miraculous because my mind completely blanked out as soon as the first quant question came on screen. It took me about 3 minutes to work out the first question (which I got wrong anyways) ..and about 20 seconds to remember what an isoceles triangle was. I was mentally exhausted less than half-way through the test and I had to read a few questions a few times (thus wasting precious seconds) before fully understanding it as nothing was getting into my head. When I got to RC on verbal, I was so tired I just skimmed through the passages.
I was actually expecting a score in the low 500s at the end of it all so 610 is a nice surprise. My verbal score probably pulled it up but then again, as an English major, I should have done even better on verbal. My reaction was v. disappointing as I'd been psyching myself and preparing myself for taking this practice test the entire week as I know I do not fare well under timed conditions. It just blows that my mind blanked out anyways.
Does anyone have any strategies for working on the following?
1) Stamina/Mental strength - I intend to start doing what people in this forum have recommended, 40 questions at a time under timed conditions. Any other tips?
2)Math - I really need to pull my math score up to about 48-49 to get into my desired schools who are likely to look at my quant scores individually than the entire score as a whole. Math is my weak point but I am able to do the tougher GMAT questions without time constraint..so again, it probably boils down to stamina/mental strength.
Just some background - I've done about 400 practice questions so far. Am aiming for a score in the high 600s with quant score in at least the 80th percentile...85tth-90th would be good. I plan to take the test in early November.
Thank you in advance for your help, I love this forum!
My score was miraculously 610 (35 Q, 38 V).
I say miraculous because my mind completely blanked out as soon as the first quant question came on screen. It took me about 3 minutes to work out the first question (which I got wrong anyways) ..and about 20 seconds to remember what an isoceles triangle was. I was mentally exhausted less than half-way through the test and I had to read a few questions a few times (thus wasting precious seconds) before fully understanding it as nothing was getting into my head. When I got to RC on verbal, I was so tired I just skimmed through the passages.
I was actually expecting a score in the low 500s at the end of it all so 610 is a nice surprise. My verbal score probably pulled it up but then again, as an English major, I should have done even better on verbal. My reaction was v. disappointing as I'd been psyching myself and preparing myself for taking this practice test the entire week as I know I do not fare well under timed conditions. It just blows that my mind blanked out anyways.
Does anyone have any strategies for working on the following?
1) Stamina/Mental strength - I intend to start doing what people in this forum have recommended, 40 questions at a time under timed conditions. Any other tips?
2)Math - I really need to pull my math score up to about 48-49 to get into my desired schools who are likely to look at my quant scores individually than the entire score as a whole. Math is my weak point but I am able to do the tougher GMAT questions without time constraint..so again, it probably boils down to stamina/mental strength.
Just some background - I've done about 400 practice questions so far. Am aiming for a score in the high 600s with quant score in at least the 80th percentile...85tth-90th would be good. I plan to take the test in early November.
Thank you in advance for your help, I love this forum!
