Hi prabhu1208,

Were there specific sections in the Quantitative and Verbal portions of the exam that you felt specifically weak in (for example, maybe geometry for math or reading comprehension for verbal)? If so, I'd recommend focusing (namely, practice doing lots of problems) on those sections, while still keeping up practicing the areas you're already good at so you don't lose the skills you've already picked up. Also, did you feel rushed during the exam? Were you able to finish all of the questions or did you spend too much time on a few? If you felt like you were rushing, I'd also work on time budgeting.

Keep in mind that scores on practice tests are not always indicative of your score on the actual GMAT. A variety of factors may come into play, such as stress, not being used to the testing environment, and etc. Something I always tell my students is NOT to study the day of the exam, and NOT to change your routine the day of (or the day before) the actual exam; don't wake up at the crack of dawn if you usually wake up at noon, etc. This will help decrease your stress level.

Lastly, I've had students who've gone from the 500s to 650+. However, this is not easy (as I'm sure you know), and it took diligent studying on their part. But just so you know, it can be done!

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Almost everything you said is correct Jim,first of all THANK YOU for spending your precious time to reply. I am a non native speaker from India.I found RC section to be tough and few SC questions too.I guess I have made mistakes in the first 10-15 questios. And YES I felt kinda rushed during the exam....found it very hard to focus and work,and took long time for few questions so that I had to make hasty desicions for few questions which I could have answered correct.

I now realise my mistakes and have listed out a clean plan on what areas I should concentrte more like co-ordinate geometry and DS question(which i found hard). I am not a very bright student ,just an averager,but I dont want to settle in a average university. Jim once again thank you for your time,I would keep you posted on my advancements. As of now,i am not preparing.Planning to take a break for a week,my target is (Q 49,V 35-40). I am sure getting 49 in quants is not very hard as i am from Engineering background,but I must make sure that I get. Verbal I will give my best.

Planning to take in sepmber or October first week. Good luck!!

It sounds like you have a good plan, and know what you need to work on. For the reading comprehension in particular (and it may sound obvious), doing practice problems really is crucial! I'd also recommend doing lots of reading, such as the Wall Street Journal or other online newspapers and the like to become more used to going through long passages more quickly and efficiently. Taking a week's break soon is a good idea (although I don't recommend this too close to the actual exam); this often helps you rejuvenate so you can focus a lot better later.

Good luck!