FRUSTRATED AND FREAKING OUT!! NEED GUIDANCE!

This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:28 am
Location: NY

FRUSTRATED AND FREAKING OUT!! NEED GUIDANCE!

by haidzz » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:10 pm
After 2 weeks of review (Princeton Review only) I took the online CATs by PR and scored PR1-510 (Q36, V30) and PR2-550 (Q35, V30)!! WTF! I thought PR CATs are supposed to be the easiest! I read all the success stories and planned on studying prep books in increasing order of difficulty == (PR, OG-11 then Kaplan). I've always neglected Verbal portions of all standardized tests I've taken but I've always been good in math all my life, have scored 98th percentile in PCAT-Math two yrs ago and am having no trouble with the time limit!In fact I finished the quant with at least 10 minutes left. Verbal, I JUST finished on time on both PR1 and PR2. I am really freaking out and am wondering if I should take one of the prep classes by MGMAT or Kaplan. I honestly don't even have enough time/cash flow to take one of these classes cuz I have to take the test in 4-5 weeks max!! :( Am I doing something wrong? I have made a few silly mistakes and rushed through some problems maybe but sure don't think I deserve a 510!!!

PLEASE ADVISE!!!! I'm open to any suggestions from you GMAT gurus
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 418
Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:41 pm
Thanked: 24 times

by Prasanna » Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:04 pm
Let me be honest with you. There have been members who have scored 700+ with 3-4 weeks of prep. But these are exceptions. I think you should find out whether you are exceptional and gifted. If not , you need to give the time required for the test.

If you dont have time, I would suggest you focus on the basics of the test, the areas covered, the question types, the typical mistakes etc. Concentrate on your weaknesses. Since you have read through study plan of others, you should be able to put together a plan for the time you have. Last but not the least, I have not seen any one improve scores just by taking practice tests. You need to analyse each test and put sufficient effort before the next test so that you can compare yourself against the previous one.
Wish you good luck
Prasanna

Learn more about me