GMAT Strategy

Hello friends...

I gave my GMAT on 29th June. Was pretty confident of scoring above 700, somewhere close to 750 - 760 Range. All the tests that I had given till now, including MGMAT, Kaplan, 800score.com and GMATprep.. I had consistently scored above 700 and most of the times in the range that I wanted..

On test day, I was pretty relaxed and the AWA section went pretty well.. Ideas were flowing in and I was able to write really good essays..

took break of 10 mins before quant..Had a banana and some chocolate.. The staff at this pearsonvue center (Milpitas, CA) are quite new and so the person took some time in checking me in. Lost couple of minutes there. Tried to calm myself. Maths being my strong area, I knew I could cope up with things. So avoided pressing the panic button.. Ultimately did quite well in quant. Scored 50 in the end..

Took another 10 mins break, and by this time I was feeling very good.. coz both my quant and AWA had gone well.. ate the 2nd banana.. had some more chocolate and since I was not able to sleep well the previous night, I thought of taking red bull too. Time of check in and again the perasonvue staff, were quite inefficient. I was getting irritated and asking the lady to check me in and she wasn't able to make the scroll bar move on her screen. Someone else had to help her. All this while she kept telling me that it would be unfortunate if I got checked in late. and in the end I again got checked in late. I tried hard to not press the panic button as I was quite agitated too with the casual reaction of the staff.. (after my exam I lodged a complaint against the pearsonvue center by calling 800-717-4628)

Verbal started very well too.. I think I definitely aced the first 8 questions.. Then I got a very tough RC.. very lengthy one too.. at least not the kind I had seen on MGMAT or KAPLAN or gmatprep.. The clock was ticking and the Red Bull effect dazed me.. I spent too much time on this RC.. and I believe that I still got it wrong. I was by this time, totally dazed.. I couldn't concentrate on a question and had to read two to three times any line.. panic set in.. and those CR and SC questions that I would have got right, I think I messed up.. ultimately in the end I had 10 questions remaining in 10 mins.. Somehow finished my test..

I knew I had messed up in verbal.. but I was still expecting a score above 700.. I am right now quite dejected to say the least.

One of my school's deadline is 22nd July and I know I can't retake the test before that. So I called up the school immediately after my test.. and explained to them my situation.. Fortunately, the school agreed to consider my GMAT score even after the deadline but only if I report by 31st July and so now I have to retake GMAT on 31st July i.e. 31 days after taking the GMAT.

Whatever happened on 29th has put a dent on my confidence though.. need to get back in groove.. have to be so much prepared that incidences like late check ins and a drink such as Red Bull.. (I swear I won't take it again) should not shake someone so much that you score so lesssss!!!!

I am from an oversubscribed pool of Indian, IT, Male applicants.. and that's why I think that I need a really high GMAT score.. I feel that my credentials are pretty good and in comparison with successful candidates in top b schools that I have visited..

I need a plan now to excel in verbal, no matter what situation I am in.. it's imperative that I score high on 31st July..

I have seen you guys always help out lost out souls like I am right now.. Please pass on your constructive feedback..

Thanks and rgds

DD..

Not trying to be mean, but I think what happened with the verbal section is your fault. Its a fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me type of thing. They demonstrated their incompetence to you, there was no reason for you to even leave to take the break the second time. Filing the complaint is good, but I think the second time around you shouldn't have even taken the chance.

Hi Osirus0830..

Thanks for ur feedback..
I have never given a test without taking the required breaks and munching on energy bars.. taking break has always helped me in refocusing for the last 1 hr 15 mins of the test.. I also didnt know that the staff was quite new.. and realized this later on..

Can anybody please tell me the length of optional breaks in the GMAT. I read somewhere that it's of 5 mins but some people write that they took 10 mins break. Can anyone please clarify as I am taking my GMAT exam tommorow.

Thats was very unfortunate Dumb doofus... I dont think one should definitely take a break to replenish his/her energy and get back in focus for the next section. I'm sure this experience will help you on your retake.

BTW the breaks after each section are for 10 mins not 5!!!

Hi dumb doofus,

I am really sorry about what happened. But I guess goof ups do happen in life. But we should not let them pull us down. I am glad you are up and energised to tackle the next attempt.

From my experiences, in tough exams, I guess its very very important to keep performance anxiety levels low. When we are driven by the fact that the test is the ultimate and I need to score the highest, it sometimes makes us more tense. Just stay cool, chilled and relaxed and tell urself that there is always a next time!!!

Wish you lots of luck for your next attempt.
Just stay chilled as after all GMAT is not what life is all about!!!

I am sure in a less strained and no expectation environment you will perform your best.

Good luck!!!

Cheers
Turbo Jet