Don't worry, I won't jump. But I do need some advice or perhaps an explanation as to why my recent prep test went so poorly.
I have been studying for about 2 1/2 months. I average around 2 hours a day/6 days a week. I haven't made an appointment for the GMAT yet since my testing center usually has openings that I can schedule only 1 - 2 weeks out.
I have taken the following practice tests:
1) GMAC Prep GMAT - 550
2) GMAC Prep GMAT - 570
3) Manhattan GMAT - 570
After these first three tests, while I did show slight improvement, I knew I wasn't getting enough out of what I was doing. Thus, I reevaluated my study method and essentially went back to the basics in the different Quant sections and I concentrated on reading the verbal section much more carefully. I also worked on my stamina. After about 1 1/2 weeks after I redid my study strategy, I scored the following:
4) Manhattan GMAT - 670
I was obviously very excited. I recognized that a 100 point jump is a big, so I knew to not completely believe that I was at the 670 level yet. However, I figured that even if I subtracted 50 points (which, I believe, is the range that Manhattan GMAT believes their tests predicts) I would still have a score above 600, and I was showing continual improvement. So, while I wasn't satisfied, I was happy.
Then I took my 5th practice test after reseting the GMAC software:
5) GMAC Prep GMAT - 480
I stared blankly at the screen. I could not believe I scored that low. I really can't explain why. I did not feel too fatigued during the test, and I felt confident for the most part.
Specifically, what I really don't understand is why the Quant section unfolded the way that it did, which I only scored a 31 on:
- I got the first 5 out of 7 questions correct.
- I then missed the next 6 out of 7, including 4 in a row. I clearly realize that is not good, however...
- I then got 18 of the final 23 questions correct.
I understand that the GMAT is scored by the difficulty level of the questions answered. However, since I did bad on only one group of questions and I got so many questions correct in a row, why didn't the test give me harder questions to give me a chance to improve my score?
I'm also wondering if anyone out there has had similar circumstances in terms of doing well on a practice test and then doing so poorly afterwards. From what I understand, the MGMAT practice tests are not easier than the GMAC practice tests, correct?
Anyways, any advice would help out! Thanks!
I have been studying for about 2 1/2 months. I average around 2 hours a day/6 days a week. I haven't made an appointment for the GMAT yet since my testing center usually has openings that I can schedule only 1 - 2 weeks out.
I have taken the following practice tests:
1) GMAC Prep GMAT - 550
2) GMAC Prep GMAT - 570
3) Manhattan GMAT - 570
After these first three tests, while I did show slight improvement, I knew I wasn't getting enough out of what I was doing. Thus, I reevaluated my study method and essentially went back to the basics in the different Quant sections and I concentrated on reading the verbal section much more carefully. I also worked on my stamina. After about 1 1/2 weeks after I redid my study strategy, I scored the following:
4) Manhattan GMAT - 670
I was obviously very excited. I recognized that a 100 point jump is a big, so I knew to not completely believe that I was at the 670 level yet. However, I figured that even if I subtracted 50 points (which, I believe, is the range that Manhattan GMAT believes their tests predicts) I would still have a score above 600, and I was showing continual improvement. So, while I wasn't satisfied, I was happy.
Then I took my 5th practice test after reseting the GMAC software:
5) GMAC Prep GMAT - 480
I stared blankly at the screen. I could not believe I scored that low. I really can't explain why. I did not feel too fatigued during the test, and I felt confident for the most part.
Specifically, what I really don't understand is why the Quant section unfolded the way that it did, which I only scored a 31 on:
- I got the first 5 out of 7 questions correct.
- I then missed the next 6 out of 7, including 4 in a row. I clearly realize that is not good, however...
- I then got 18 of the final 23 questions correct.
I understand that the GMAT is scored by the difficulty level of the questions answered. However, since I did bad on only one group of questions and I got so many questions correct in a row, why didn't the test give me harder questions to give me a chance to improve my score?
I'm also wondering if anyone out there has had similar circumstances in terms of doing well on a practice test and then doing so poorly afterwards. From what I understand, the MGMAT practice tests are not easier than the GMAC practice tests, correct?
Anyways, any advice would help out! Thanks!
