Just started -- overwhelmed

30secs wrote:Hi all,

I just signed up for my 60-day study plan and as such started with the diagnostic math test.. and man did it depress me. I spent a few hours on it and really made me feel stupid. Then i tried the data sufficiency and that was worse.. i thought i'd be getting in the mid 600's but this test makes me wonder if i'll even crack 500.. help.. i feel discouraged.

Don't read too much into the results of the diagnostic test in the OG. There are some crazy hard questions there. I put that task in the Study Guide to help motivate people to dig deep and get ready for the rigors of preparing for this challenging test. I didn't put it in there to discourage people.

The best indication of your current level is the first GMATPrep practice test (which you'll take on Day 3). The results of that test will be your baseline score...not your final score. You're just starting out. It's FARRRR too early to be discouraged. Keep in mind that most people aren't experts at something the first time they try it. The GMAT is no different. At the risk of sounding too heavy handed, I'm going to suggest that you're not allowed to feel discouraged until June (at the very ealiest).

Cheers,
Brent

30secs wrote:I just finished the first GMAT Prep test (per day 3).. scored 450. I was trying to get a feel for the test and wasn't thinking too much.. guessing what i didn't think i could solve etc. (and some other distractions, too)

I finished way ahead of time on both.. i hope i do better on the real exam. I need to improve that score by at least 150 pts.

450 is a good starting point.

If you check the "I just beat the GMAT" forum, you'll see that there is no shortage of people who improved 150+ points.

Cheers,
Brent