GMAT Strategy

Hi,

I took the GMAT earlier today for the first time, and got a 660 - considerably less than I was aiming for, and not enough for the schools I want. The worst part of it is that 660 is what I got on my first practice test 6/7 weeks ago, without any prep at all. I then studied (focusing exclusively on quant), did a second practice test last week and scored a 740. In the real thing today, I got Q36 V45, so even though I only worked on the quant, that's what killed my score! I really felt I was making progress, particularly given I hadn't studied any Maths since high school, and even then I dropped it at 15. The stuff I got in the test today just felt way out of reach compared with my practice stuff.

I want to apply in time for the second round this year, which gives me some time to fix things, but clearly I need a new approach. I have people writing references for me, so it would be mortifying to have to go to them in a month or two and say "Hey, thanks for the references but my GMAT score isn't good enough so I won't be applying...".

One thing I have found is that if I stick at a topic long enough, I do actually come to understand it, unlike at school where I just learnt it. Is it just a question of making sure I can do everything in the OG with my eyes closed, or are there other approaches people can suggest? I don't know what this means in terms of the scaled score, but I need to improve enough in quant to at least break 700, but ideally hit 720.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you