1st time I took the GMAT (Summer this year) I got a 540. Looking back, I was ill prepared.
2nd time took it in August. I looked up at the clock and was just about to start the last RC passage with 5 minutes left and it was a hard passage so at that moment I chose to cancel my test and I feel I did the right thing.
3rd time (yesterday), went into the Pearson Center guns blazing. And boy was I prepared. I got my pacing now pat. Essays went well, finished before time.
Next up Quant. I felt good mid way because my pacing was just right, got a probability question and a bunch of tricky XY plane questions etc. I felt good. I said YES bring on Verbal.
Verbal started, got my pacing right but the RC passages didn't seem as challenging as some that I had previously taken so I said 'hmm' but still didn't worry. When I noticed I didn't get any Boldface CR questions I worried abit but still finished up the exam and didn't bat an eyelid when I chose to view my scores. I told myself, "worst case scenario - 6something'. Boy was I surprised when I saw the 570 on the screen.
Verbal 32
Quant 35
My practice test scores, though not accurate because I saw repeat questions were all 700+ on Manhattan GMAT and GMAT Prep. I actually mastered SC and so I'm dejected because this score does not reflect my abilities. As of yesterday I said 'that is it' but today I'm contemplating a 4th try because I believe I can get 680-720 I seriously don't know what went wrong. Whether it was my nerves or just silly mistakes that did me in.
I'm not a believer in the 1st 10 questions theory because if I were to focus on the 1st 10 questions, I'd be screwed for the entire test coz I'd then get nervous and won't be able to concentrate.
Sucks you have to wait 30 days to retake the exam. November will be my last attempt at this horrid exam because I'm targeting Round 2. I know it won't reflect well on my applications when they see 4 attempts but screw it. I don't think any of the top schools will take me seriously with my 570 even though I'm confident in my story to be told in my essays and supported by my recommendations
Should I go for a 4th try?
The GMAT sucks majorly and has made a mockery of me.
2nd time took it in August. I looked up at the clock and was just about to start the last RC passage with 5 minutes left and it was a hard passage so at that moment I chose to cancel my test and I feel I did the right thing.
3rd time (yesterday), went into the Pearson Center guns blazing. And boy was I prepared. I got my pacing now pat. Essays went well, finished before time.
Next up Quant. I felt good mid way because my pacing was just right, got a probability question and a bunch of tricky XY plane questions etc. I felt good. I said YES bring on Verbal.
Verbal started, got my pacing right but the RC passages didn't seem as challenging as some that I had previously taken so I said 'hmm' but still didn't worry. When I noticed I didn't get any Boldface CR questions I worried abit but still finished up the exam and didn't bat an eyelid when I chose to view my scores. I told myself, "worst case scenario - 6something'. Boy was I surprised when I saw the 570 on the screen.
Verbal 32
Quant 35
My practice test scores, though not accurate because I saw repeat questions were all 700+ on Manhattan GMAT and GMAT Prep. I actually mastered SC and so I'm dejected because this score does not reflect my abilities. As of yesterday I said 'that is it' but today I'm contemplating a 4th try because I believe I can get 680-720 I seriously don't know what went wrong. Whether it was my nerves or just silly mistakes that did me in.
I'm not a believer in the 1st 10 questions theory because if I were to focus on the 1st 10 questions, I'd be screwed for the entire test coz I'd then get nervous and won't be able to concentrate.
Sucks you have to wait 30 days to retake the exam. November will be my last attempt at this horrid exam because I'm targeting Round 2. I know it won't reflect well on my applications when they see 4 attempts but screw it. I don't think any of the top schools will take me seriously with my 570 even though I'm confident in my story to be told in my essays and supported by my recommendations
Should I go for a 4th try?
The GMAT sucks majorly and has made a mockery of me.
Last edited by ownedbytheGMAT on Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
