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Gmat Retake Advice - Manhattan CAT's

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Gmat Retake Advice - Manhattan CAT's

by ab46 » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:12 am
Hi,

I’ve been a reader of this forum for some time now. I had planned to write about my GMAT experience after taking the test, but I managed to goof up the test. So instead I ask for advice for the exam that I plan to take again in 2 weeks.

Here are some of my previous prep scores.

Manhattan Online – 710 (Q46, V41)
Gmat Prep 1 – 730 (Q47, V42)
Gmat prep 2 – 640 (Q47, V34) I was couldn’t concentrate while doing the verbal section.

Gmat Prep 1 (2) - 770 (Q49, V46)
Gmat Prep 2 (2) - 770 (Q49, V45)
LOTS of repeats in these 2 preps. I know the score is highly skewed, but figured that I should atleast be able to get a 700 on the actual test.

Actual GMAT – 640 (Q42, V37)
I just couldn’t think during the math section. When 10 mins were left, I was on the 20th-22nd question, just guessed on the rest. I have no idea what happened to me on the test day, but yeah, the questions seemed hard to me. Spent 5 mins on the 1st question.
I know I did some silly things such as study before the test date, study on the day of the test, etc. But that would still not justify my quantitative performance or even verbal, where I believed I had done decently before seeing the score.

Anyways, I wanted to know how someone living outside the US can get access to the Manhattan online CAT’s. I believe you need to buy a Manhattan book, which is not available in India, to get access to the CAT’s.

Is the Manhattan CAT Verbal section harder than the actual GMAT or is it around the same level.

Also, preparation advice for the next 2 weeks would be greatly appreciated. I really really need to get a 700 score.

Thanks
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by ab46 » Mon Sep 15, 2008 4:40 am
..anyone?
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by zagcollins » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:21 am
Hi Ab,

Which part of India are you from? I have purchased Manhattan books from a local bookstore here in Mumbai! Costs Rs. 1300 fr each book... :D
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GMAT Score:640

got same score - what to do now

by energizerbunny » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:29 am
hi, i also got a score of 640 (Q42, V38). dont know what to do...it's been 7 months since i've even thought about the GMAT or MBA as i was quite disheartened...btw, im a full-time mom currently, thinking of doing part-time MBA from Univ of Chicago/Univ of WI-Madison...do you think writing the test again will make a difference? i read that writing the GMAT more than 2-3 times sends the wrong message to the app committee.
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by ab46 » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:12 am
Hey zagcollins,

Thanks for your reply.

Well, the only bookshop nearby that could possibly have the book is in Delhi, and I don’t live in Delhi. Also, I don’t know whether the book will come with access to the manhattan tests.

If got the regular book with the CAT access, please tell me the name of the book shop, I can have someone in Bombay pick it up for me.

Thanks
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by ab46 » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:13 am
Hey energizerbunny,

First, I would like to state that the general opinion, from everything that I’ve read on the net, is that giving the tests more than 3 times will have the adcom raising her eyebrow. But then, the wonderful thing about the MBA application process is that you will be given the chance to explain any weakness in your application.

I can understand the feeling of dejection after a bad result... but then, there are so many stories out there of people who didn’t give up and managed to get into their dream schools.

I believe that if you have the ability to get a higher score by 40-50, then you should take the GMAT again. You have a good verbal score, you just need a little practice in maths.

Would be great to hear what you think

Cheers
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by energizerbunny » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:10 pm
hi ab46,

these people who didnt give up: you mean they retested or did they go ahead and apply anyway (with the not-so-gr8 scores, but with gr8 essays)?

yes, i wasnt able to finish the last 2 questions in math. also, i know i need math practice.

tell me which is the better plan:

a. writing gmat again for higher score and applying for part-time mba fall2009?

b. appplying with existing score 640 for the winter 2008 part-time program?

are you planning to retake the gmat?
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by energizerbunny » Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:17 pm
ab46, you sound like you were very tense during the gmat and hence this affected ur performance. im sure you can do well.

2 strategies: keep practising the mock tests and exercise everyday to bring down the tension. im serious!!!

i also was EXTREMELY tense before during and after the test as if my life depended on it (ok in a way it did depend on it ;)!) and hence screwed up.

you have such good scores in ur mock tests - so im guessing it was the nerves...
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by ab46 » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:25 am
Hey energizerbunny,

These people are those who retook the test and also those who reapplied to a school. Can’t really comment on people who went ahead with their existing scores... but I’m pretty sure that people have got through with a 640... See the gmat range in school profiles. Quite a few of the candidates are in the 600-650 range. I suspect that nationality would be important in this case.

I’m surprised that that you have not thought of taking the test again considering you left out two quantitative questions. I think that can reduce your RAW score by atleast 2-3 points. Maybe even 3-4 points.

I can’t really comment on which plan of action you should take. Do you think the other parts of the application are strong enough? Will you be able to write out great essays? Is your work experience good? Can you explain how and why it is good?

I wasn’t tense during the exam.... Just went blank. I just couldn’t solve any questions. I’ll have to retake the gmat, 640 won’t get me anywhere.

Cheers
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by ab46 » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:29 am
I'm really hoping that someone will be able to give me a few answers regarding my queries in the first post.

Anyone who knows about Manhattan material?
Anyone from Manhattan?

Please...
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by A-Man » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:57 am
I am based in India....you can buy the books off ebay India-they are really good
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by zagcollins » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:08 am
ab46,

there are shops such as vijay book centre and parle book depot..tell ny of ur acquaintances/frends to go get it frm parle book depot....
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by energizerbunny » Tue Sep 16, 2008 6:46 am
ab46,

i have seen some manhattan gmat books in landmark (chennai) in 2007. i have also spotted very old copies in some second hand shops (which i didnt buy). btw manhattan books r quite expensive - but if there is a book sale/discount you should be able to get them for rs.500-rs.800.

the gmat coaching centres apparently have manhattan material one can borrow and study from.

i found the actual gmat to be tougher than OG11 FOR SURE. maybe the gmat has become tougher...maybe now its as tough as the manhattan material...

whatever be the case, its a good idea to use manhattan for math and verbal.

manhattan verbal - tougher than the actual gmat verbal.
manhattan math - as tough as the actual gmat.

hope this helps.
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by ab46 » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:47 am
Thanks A-Man, zagcollins and energizerbunny

Did you also get access to the Manhattan CATs?
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by energizerbunny » Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:39 pm
manhattan mock tests would be ideal but very difficult to get hold of. i sure couldnt get them. however, ive seen the manhattan guys advertise their material online. maybe you should contact them and buy it, if you really want the stuff.
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