Hello GMAT World,
I'm in desperate need of help!!! I've tried multiple habits of studying, just to name a few: A local GMAT course from a place called Tutoringzone, a Kaplan GMAT course, and I even followed the beat the GMAT 60 day free course. On practice, I've scored everything from a 400 to 620, with the majority of scores ranging above a 540. I'm ashamed to say it, but I've taken the GMAT four times and the end results have been: 390, 430, 460, and 430!! I'm not sure where to look as I only needed between a 550 and 600 to be accepted in a program that I wanted to get in.
With that being said, does anyone have any suggestions on the next step I should take. I'm aware that taking the GMAT 5 times would suck for my admissions process but I'm at a dead end and don't know what to do.
On the other hand I've scored a 4 and three 5's on the writing section of the GMAT.
Someone please provide some guidance.
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rjank
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From what you've said your practice scores are significantly higher than your actual scores. Why is this? Do you have issues with test anxiety, are your practice tests not taken in an environment similar to the actual test? You should try to figure out what's going on there, because if it's just test anxiety if you can learn to manage it better might be able to get to that 550+ score you need relatively easily.
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FutureWorks
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Hi Clinton
Juggling between work and studies is tough so you need to define a significant time for your GMAT preparation.
Sometimes taking few days off work for preparing for the GMAT can help a person tremendously. If you have time this may not be a bad idea. Take practise GMAT tests to see how you are doing. If you cannot do that don't worry. What might work instead is to set aside 1-2 hours at night on weekdays and major part of your weekend to study and prepare for GMAT- in this case we will suggest a good 3 months preparation.
However we recommend you to keep taking practise tests to gauge your performance. It will help you in identifying your weak areas and you can focus on them accordingly.
There are various ways you can use to practise for your GMAT. It could be combination of online classes, coaching institutes, practise books and even smart phone applications. Having this combination will be giving you access to different styles and it won't be monotonous for you.
Assuming you are aiming for top schools a score above 700 on the Gmat would be advisable.
Juggling between work and studies is tough so you need to define a significant time for your GMAT preparation.
Sometimes taking few days off work for preparing for the GMAT can help a person tremendously. If you have time this may not be a bad idea. Take practise GMAT tests to see how you are doing. If you cannot do that don't worry. What might work instead is to set aside 1-2 hours at night on weekdays and major part of your weekend to study and prepare for GMAT- in this case we will suggest a good 3 months preparation.
However we recommend you to keep taking practise tests to gauge your performance. It will help you in identifying your weak areas and you can focus on them accordingly.
There are various ways you can use to practise for your GMAT. It could be combination of online classes, coaching institutes, practise books and even smart phone applications. Having this combination will be giving you access to different styles and it won't be monotonous for you.
Assuming you are aiming for top schools a score above 700 on the Gmat would be advisable.
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mriiidula
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It really does seem like you have problems with the actual GMAT rather than your practice tests. Have you practised using GMATPrep? What about the Official Guides? If you haven't, then you certainly aren't doing yourself any favours. They are absolutely essential.
Follow my GMAT Journey here:
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Bara
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I wanted to chime in and remind you to....Breathe.
Yeah. I know. You might have thought that I'd write something about what books, what strategies... which are also be VERY important, but I suggest you touch base with the root of why you're doing what you're doing.
Beyond the math, the grammar and the AWA or logic, lies a kernel deep within you that you can perhaps access. That same kernel has the truth of who you are to be. If you take some time to 'be' with it, all the other pieces will fall into place. Manifesting a positive outlook without panic, freaking out, and getting frenzied, will help you in so many aspects of your life. NOT just the GMAT.
When you put your best foot forward, the school who sees your perserverance, and focus for excelling is going to be psyched to have you. So while I've been teaching the GMAT um-teen years, and I could profess many of the things that you'll likely read on other line items, take a moment to yourself, and acknowledge that you've come this far, and you're enroute to go that much farther.
Yeah. I know. You might have thought that I'd write something about what books, what strategies... which are also be VERY important, but I suggest you touch base with the root of why you're doing what you're doing.
Beyond the math, the grammar and the AWA or logic, lies a kernel deep within you that you can perhaps access. That same kernel has the truth of who you are to be. If you take some time to 'be' with it, all the other pieces will fall into place. Manifesting a positive outlook without panic, freaking out, and getting frenzied, will help you in so many aspects of your life. NOT just the GMAT.
When you put your best foot forward, the school who sees your perserverance, and focus for excelling is going to be psyched to have you. So while I've been teaching the GMAT um-teen years, and I could profess many of the things that you'll likely read on other line items, take a moment to yourself, and acknowledge that you've come this far, and you're enroute to go that much farther.
Bara Sapir, MA, CHt, CNLP
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c
-
FutureWorks
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Hello Thereclinton wrote:Hello GMAT World,
I'm in desperate need of help!!! I've tried multiple habits of studying, just to name a few: A local GMAT course from a place called Tutoringzone, a Kaplan GMAT course, and I even followed the beat the GMAT 60 day free course. On practice, I've scored everything from a 400 to 620, with the majority of scores ranging above a 540. I'm ashamed to say it, but I've taken the GMAT four times and the end results have been: 390, 430, 460, and 430!! I'm not sure where to look as I only needed between a 550 and 600 to be accepted in a program that I wanted to get in.
With that being said, does anyone have any suggestions on the next step I should take. I'm aware that taking the GMAT 5 times would suck for my admissions process but I'm at a dead end and don't know what to do.
On the other hand I've scored a 4 and three 5's on the writing section of the GMAT.
Someone please provide some guidance.
There are various ways you can use to practise for your GMAT. You might need to change your practise style and try this combination to provide you flexibility and different styles to practise so it doesn't get monotonous.
It could be combination of-
1-Books- Books like- The Official Guide for GMAT Review, The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review, The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review etc could be used.
2-Online Study Guide: Websites like Knewton, Grockit etc provide you with practise questions online.
3-Smart phone applications- Kaplan, Veritas etc offer applications to prepare for GMAT on your smart phones.
Do let us know if there is anything in particular we can help you with, mail us here [email protected]
