Fluctuating GMAT Scores...

Expert replies

tingroo: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:30 pm; Location: San Francisco

by tingroo » Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:38 pm

I have been studying for the GMAT for the past 3.5 months, starting with Princeton Review. I took the actual exam a month ago, 5/8/08 to be exact, and scored a 640. Disappointed, I signed up for GMAT Guru. After a month of studying, I took a few diagnostic tests:

PR: 710 on 5/31
MGMAT: 690 on 6/11
PR: 610 on 6/15 (today)

Is this normal?????? I can't believe that I'm actually getting dumber. I think I might be overstudying and getting burnt out!!!! Advice, please??

I plan on taking the actual exam again on 7/5/08. That should give me about 3 weeks. :'( Thoughts?????????

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:38 pm

VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:38 am

Hi tingroo,

Keep in mind that the GMAT algorithm used to calculate scores is proprietary, and so different test prep companies may use different algorithms/methods to calculate scores for their own tests.

That said, it may very well be that you're getting burnt out. My advice would be to maybe take a few days off to just relax (not too many though since your test is in three weeks). On your last test, did you notice if you were making silly mistakes, or getting questions in a specific section consistently wrong? Target your weakest areas (while still doing problems in the other sections), and keep doing practice problems!

Also, I always recommend my students to NOT study the DAY OF the exam. This will keep you more calm, relaxed, and ready to take the test. Try not to change your routine the day of (for example, don't have a huge breakfast when you usually go without), so that you don't get stressed out (as much)!

Good luck, and hope this helps!

Jim S. | GMAT Instructor | Veritas Prep

Like this post

jazzcat4u: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 97; Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 2:43 pm

by jazzcat4u » Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:28 am

havent seen too many posts on the GMAT guru...did you take a course or sign up for tutoring. anyway, let me know what you think about them and if you've found their svcs helpful. good luck with your prep!

Like this post

tingroo: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:30 pm; Location: San Francisco

GMAT Guru

by tingroo » Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:43 am

GMAT Guru is pretty useful. It's actually just one guy who offers private tutoring/ lectures. He's supposed to be the top GMAT tutor in San Francisco, so I guess it's mainly a local thing. He scares me a little though, because everytime I go to a session he scolds me on getting things wrong (if I knew.. wouldn't I already gotten my 700+??) but at the same time, it kind of helps because I don't want to get scolded at again so I try not to make the same mistake

I think mainly I'm just putting too much pressure on myself to do well on this exam.. I really need to just focus and stop panicking, maybe score will stop dropping.........

Like this post

champusingh: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:07 am

by champusingh » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:03 pm

Hi,
I am ok in quant but my verbal is killing my score.I am planning to take private tutoring from gmat guru and wanted to take your feedback.
Did you find it useful.
thanks

Like this post

Z_I: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 60; Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:19 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 6 times; GMAT Score:750

by Z_I » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm

IMO, stop taking PR's. They don't help as much as MGMATs. Also you can't compare PR scores with MGMAT's as the algorithms might be different. The next time you take another MGMAT, you would get an idea of your improvement or decline. If you score is within +- 10/20 points of say MGMAT2 then you are okay. + in any case is always a better sign. However, a drop of more than 10/20 points indicates a burn out situation or that you are losing touch on a particular topic as you might be focusing too much on certain others. So IMO take 2 MGMAT's then 1 GMATPrep and then another 2 MGMAT's. In the last week take GMATPrep 2 and repeat the GMATPRep's at least once.

I also think that you should stop getting stressed beyond a certain point. Stress is necessary to the point that it makes you alert and gets that sense of urgency. Anything excess will convert into negative energy and bring you down. Don't forget, confidence in yourself and in your preparation is the single most critical factor in helping you score in GMAT at least as per your actual prep levels. Even if you are fully prepared to score even an 800, your low confidence will bring you down to a 600 since you would not be sure of any answer even though you might know all the concepts.

To cut a long story short, I also feel that you need to schedule a complete break every 4-5 days so that your mind is refreshed. Also, don't take too much stress from your GMAT guru....it will not help if you start getting nervous......3 weeks before the exam...

All the best!!

https://www.beatthegmat.com/time-to-kiss ... 34537.html

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review