I just completed my first official GMAT exam, and I got a whopping 600 (33Q/38V)!
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/sad.png)
I have a strong literary background, so getting a score in a higher percentile for Verbal seems very possible if I study harder. However, it's Quant that's making me so worried. I studied hard for the exam and went from a 560 on (36Q/31V) on my first diagnostic MPrep exam up to 720 on a GmatPrep practice test (48Q/41V) halfway through my study preparations! I took a total of eight practice exams leading up to my first GMAT test:
MPrep 1: 560 (36Q/31V)
MPrep 2: 620 (39Q/36V)
MPrep 3: 660 (42Q/38V)
GmatPrep 1: 720 (48Q/41V)
MPrep 4: 710 (45Q/41V)
GmatPrep 2: 660 (44Q/37Q)
MPrep 5: 660 (42Q/38V)
GmatPrep 3: 620 (38Q/37V)
As you can see, there was a steady rise in my overall performance, but there was also a steady decline! I pushed back my initial test date because I wanted to break 700 on a practice test, but after I achieved this twice, my score became worse. It was difficult for me to find extra time to study because work became unbelievably demanding three weeks before my test date, so I think that that was where my progress stalled. Additionally, nerves are a serious issue for me when taking this test.
After reviewing the last three practice tests I took, I saw so many foolish mistakes that I easily spotted during my review that I couldn't help but chastise myself for rushing too much, not reading the math questions carefully, solving for the wrong problem, etc. It almost seems that, as the test date neared, my scores got worse!
After reflecting on what likely caused my low score today, I think that getting too nervous was a huge part of the problem. Even more importantly, I noticed that I have a number of problem areas in math - specifically Algebra, Number Properties, Probability/Combinatorics, and difficult Word Problems. While I did better on those two 700+ practice exams, I think my score has settled in the low 600s now because I don't have a true understanding of the math problems that I struggle with.
In sum, I'm wondering what I can do to get to a score of 700+. I still have a number of resources to use to study for my next scheduled exam in early November (~5 weeks from now). I have quite a few math questions left, as well as three practice exams to help me study, plus all the resources from Manhattan Prep.
Do any of you have any recommendations for a 5-week study plan to break 700?
Thanks so much for reading, and I look forward to any bit of advice!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smile.png)