GMAT Strategy

Totally bombed the GMAT.

I'll go on record and say that my study habits weren't that great. I say that as someone who probably spent 6-8 hours studying in a week about two months ahead of the test to 15-20 hours closer to test time. One reason I say my study habits were not great was that my study guide (Kaplan) had five practice tests included and I didnt start using them until 5 weeks out, taking one test per week. Basically, I didnt know my average score until a month out. Bad. By week four or five it was apparent that I was not going to get my "dream" score of cracking 700 or my "need" score of above 600. My score breakdowns for practice tests were

Test 1: 530, 32 Q (27%), 31 V, (61%)
Test 2: 480, 28 Q (19%), 27 V (46%)
Test 3: 580, 36 Q (36%), 33 V (69%)
Test 4: 560, 36 Q (36%), 30 V (58%)
Test 5: 540, 33 Q (30%), 31 V (61%)

This leads us to test day drum-roll...480 25 (12%), 32 (67%)

I'll add that the night before the test I got some really devastating family news. It may have sparked my V score (2nd highest to date) but it KILLED my Q score (an ongoing problem).

But long term, I would say my "dream" score is to crack 700 and based on the type of things that the GMAT looks at I feel that's possible. Additionally, of the scores I have taken all of them kind of put me on the fringe of what I consider my "target" school.

I'm trying to get these applications done for the final deadline in March so I'd have to take the test in the next 50ish days. The way my work (hell my life) is set up, I don't really have time (or the sanity) to devote 20+ hours a week to studying in addition to the application stuff required.

I feel like my two options are retake in February and sort of settle for a score that still might not really position me that well OR dont take the test in February and grind till I'm scoring what I'm comfortable with. Which again presents a different set of problems.

If option A is the suggestion, I need some good math tips cause that score is still butt regardless.

Gracias Amigos

First off, thank you.

Little argument from me on that, but without giving away my life story, I say target because that is the school I both want to go to and think I can get into. Sure are there "better" schools, yes. BUT I'm okay with getting other degrees in the long-term so I dont have the same sense of finality.

My list is, Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and Baruch. (LOL What a list right?)
Deadlines are April 12, March 15, June 1 at the latest, and April 1.