What should I do?

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What should I do?

by unfocused » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:39 am
I just took the GMAT this morning and it has been a pretty depressing day. I've been studying for the past 2-3 months (I used two Princeton Review books and MGHill practice tests) and I got out of there with a 420. I thought i would have done better than this but I have failed. I worked so hard, but no I've lost all focus and want to give up.

I really want to get into grad school but I'm afraid that I won't get in. I received my under grad degree in May of 2008.I had a 2.7 GPA as an undergrad and I felt a higher GMAT would have solidified my acceptance. I have a pretty solid resume, I worked as as a retail manager while in college and have had my current position as an underwriter for 2 years (I was promoted from an intern to underwriter). I know that my managers will write me excellent recommendations and I'm pretty sure I can write a good essay.

The school I want to go to advises a 500 is minimal but I already know of 2 people who got a score under 500 (one had a GPA of 3.7 -GMAT 490 and the other had GPA of 2.4 - GMAT 460-480?).

At this point, I feel like such a failure that I should not even apply. I do not want to take the GMAT again, as I do not understand what went wrong and I simply do not have the funds. Should I bother applying or will I most definitely need a better GMAT? Please give me some advice as I am so lost now.
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by cbenk121 » Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:27 pm
First off, you're not a failure, though I can understand the sentiment from comparisons to others and self-expecations. Consider all the people who never even attempt the GMAT, or people who've scored lower.

The test is beatable - there are patterns that repeat, and a finite set of concepts. Just browse through the "I just beat the GMAT" forum, and you'll see some insipiring stories of people who jumped 100 or even 200 points from their diagnostic.

I'd take it again - many higher-scores on this forum apparently bombed their first time. And this time, I'd sign up with a prep course if I were you...perhaps you missed some critical topics or ways of approaching problems, and could benefit from experienced help.

Frankly, I've heard average b-school people have SIX years of work experience...so if you only have two than you got time to save up for another GMAT test and tutoring. The only people I know going to b-school after two years are consultants and investment bankers...and many times that's because they got let go (after standard two year program).

Pick yourself up, dust off, and hop back on the saddle. Good luck!