Sooooo....Doom's Day was yesterday for me. And...it was just as bad as I had dreamt about. I scored a lousy 490. I saw the numbers, but I was in total shock! I was like this really cannot be happening. I started my prep class in March. Met with tutor(s) every week for 3 months. And all I get is a lousy 490. I was so disappointed in myself.
I've only had one day to dwell on the results but I know I'll retake it. October, perhaps November. It'll happen...I just need a break. For several weeks prior to Doom's Day, I literally was sick. Just the thought of the test physically made me sick. I've never done well on standardized tests - not on the SAT, not on the GMAT for Bschool - just never did well. Plus, the pressure of doing well (for my future stability) was overwhelming.
Has anyone ever experienced something similar? If so, how did you overcome a low score and the anxiety associated with taking the GMAT?
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I REALLY F@#*ED up!
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Gunningfor700
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Hi Gunningfor700,
You had a bad ramp-up and Test Day experience, so the disappointment is reasonable. Wallow in it for a little bit, then get out of it (I find that beer is helpful, but that's just me).
Now, to the silver lining:
1) Business Schools don't care if you retest. When you nail the test on your next try, you'll have a great story to tell: you don't give up, you face your challenges, etc.
2) You've learned what the real GMAT is all about, so you know what you'll be getting into with your retest. Experience is an asset that's tough to fake - you have it now, so learn from it and use it to your advantage.
3) You've also discovered some approaches (material, tutor) that DON'T work for YOU. With this next go around, you'll be able to try something different, make the necessary changes and improve.
Moving forward, it's okay to take a week or two off, but don't wait too long to get back into study mode. With a 490, you're likely making lots of silly mistakes, which has nothing to do with knowledge or intelligence. If you fix those little mistakes, then you'll get the points that you're looking for.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
You had a bad ramp-up and Test Day experience, so the disappointment is reasonable. Wallow in it for a little bit, then get out of it (I find that beer is helpful, but that's just me).
Now, to the silver lining:
1) Business Schools don't care if you retest. When you nail the test on your next try, you'll have a great story to tell: you don't give up, you face your challenges, etc.
2) You've learned what the real GMAT is all about, so you know what you'll be getting into with your retest. Experience is an asset that's tough to fake - you have it now, so learn from it and use it to your advantage.
3) You've also discovered some approaches (material, tutor) that DON'T work for YOU. With this next go around, you'll be able to try something different, make the necessary changes and improve.
Moving forward, it's okay to take a week or two off, but don't wait too long to get back into study mode. With a 490, you're likely making lots of silly mistakes, which has nothing to do with knowledge or intelligence. If you fix those little mistakes, then you'll get the points that you're looking for.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
