Didn't beat the GMAT! :(

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Didn't beat the GMAT! :(

by H2O » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:42 pm
Hi,

I'm relatively new to this forum, so I thought I'd ask for some recomendations as to what I should do next. I took my GMAT and got a 610.
Q 32
V 42

I studied for this test for over 6 months using the OG and the OG Math Review as well as Peaterson's, Kaplan, and Princeton review guides. On my practice GMATs I scored between 590-610. The comany created versio of the test I score a 620-640. I studied each problem in these books, made sure I understood all the concepts and rules, but somehow when I sat down to take the GMAT, I could not remember a lot of the material. Also, the problems I got on the GMAT were different than the ones covered in the books. I think I only got 5 problems that we similar. Another problem I had was that I ran out of time and had to guess on the last 4 problems. I have always had this issue. I just get confused by the GMAT questions and the way they are phrased. I need time to figure out what the problem is asking and when you are on a time limit and have less than 3 minutes per problem, it is very difficult. I've also never been good at math. I'm much, much better in verbal. I didn't even need to study for the verbal and was in the 90th percentile. Should I retake the GMAT? If I do, I need to improve by at least 50 points. I have a high undergrad GPA so perhaps that can make up for a lower GMAT score? I would like to apply to a top 10 b-school.
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

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by czechchamp » Sun Jul 20, 2008 1:24 pm
For top 10 school 610 won't cut it, unfortunately. If you're serious about top 10 program, then you ought to retake it.

FWIW, McCombs (Top 20) GMAT's 80% range is 630 - 710.

Timing is very important, make sure that you are watching the clock throughout the whole exam. Also, allow yourself a few guesses in each section. Questions that you know will be tough for you to work out so you won't be "wasting" your time on them. Just quickly eliminate one or two answers, put down your best guess and tackle another problem.

My guess is that with proper timing, you'd be in mid 600's range at the moment! Good luck!