I took the test yesterday and got a 550. (31Q and 35V) This was the second time taking the gmat. I first took the test in April after studying for about 3 months and got a 480.
I know most people on here are aiming for above 700 but I was happy with my 550. The school I'm applying at (Pace University) requires a score above 500. My score is their average so I was pleased.
I took Kaplan classes last winter but I didn't get much out of them. I improved the most this fall when I studied on my own. After bombing the first test, I took some time away from studying this summer and dove into studying this September. The books I used were the Kaplan Premier with the cd rom, OG11, and the Kaplan math workbook. The math workbook was the most beneficial for me because it broke down the math concepts. I had to relearn the math.
Yesterday, when I started the quant section I freaked out at first. The first 3 questions, I had no clue how to solve. I wasted too much time of these and had to rush through the rest. After the quant section, I almost canceled the test because I was so scare I would only score in the 400s. During the break, I went to the bathroom and calmed down and really focused on the verbal.
My advice is to only cancel the test if something horrible happens. Also the first time I took the test, I didnt take any of the breaks. I suggest that you take advantage of the breaks, even if you just walk around in the hall. The break really helped me refocus after the quant.
As a side note: I'm tempted to retake the test next month. I really would like to get above a 600 since companies sometimes ask about gmat scores on job interviews. I think I could do much better especially since I would not be under so much stress. At the same time, I'm so exhausted from studying the gmat so I do know yet.
Good luck to everyone!
I know most people on here are aiming for above 700 but I was happy with my 550. The school I'm applying at (Pace University) requires a score above 500. My score is their average so I was pleased.
I took Kaplan classes last winter but I didn't get much out of them. I improved the most this fall when I studied on my own. After bombing the first test, I took some time away from studying this summer and dove into studying this September. The books I used were the Kaplan Premier with the cd rom, OG11, and the Kaplan math workbook. The math workbook was the most beneficial for me because it broke down the math concepts. I had to relearn the math.
Yesterday, when I started the quant section I freaked out at first. The first 3 questions, I had no clue how to solve. I wasted too much time of these and had to rush through the rest. After the quant section, I almost canceled the test because I was so scare I would only score in the 400s. During the break, I went to the bathroom and calmed down and really focused on the verbal.
My advice is to only cancel the test if something horrible happens. Also the first time I took the test, I didnt take any of the breaks. I suggest that you take advantage of the breaks, even if you just walk around in the hall. The break really helped me refocus after the quant.
As a side note: I'm tempted to retake the test next month. I really would like to get above a 600 since companies sometimes ask about gmat scores on job interviews. I think I could do much better especially since I would not be under so much stress. At the same time, I'm so exhausted from studying the gmat so I do know yet.
Good luck to everyone!
