I just got back home from my 3rd try--score 520 Q35 and V27).
I started studying for the GMAT in August last year. I took the exam in september with only 2 weeks prep and scored 500. After that i studied hard for 2 months and took the exam again, this time I scored 480 (however, i had a terrible headache on the day and I was very stupid not to cancel my score).
Today, after another 2 months of preparation I scored a miserable 520. In my practice exams (and I have taken lots and lots of them from MGMAT, Veritas, Kaplan, Princeton, Knewton, Grockit and GMATprep) I have never scored below 580 (Kaplan) and my average has been 650.
I can only see two reasons for my bad score:
1) I cant keep my nerves during the test, however I was not nervous today as I went in thinking that it will not matter too much as I already have 2 bad scores--hence I felt more relaxed and thought I was doing alright.
2) The practice tests are not at all representative of the real test
I think it is ridiculous that GMAT only offers 2 practice tests, and those 2 are easier than the real test anyhow.
Before this try, I also bought GMAT Focus and took 2 of the tests there (only math). My predicted math score for the first test was 39-46 and for the second test 45-49. This is much much higher than my 35 today.
I do not know what I will do not, perhaps I will shelf my MBA plan altogether or take the GRE before my 4th go at the GMAT. However, I do not think scoring high on the GRE is any easier.
The funny thing is that I thought I was doing quite well in verbal today and my score is very low...
Any ideas of what I should do? I definately have the capability and knowledge score in the middle 600s or higher...I just can´t do it when it comes to the real thing---my whole life I have had trouble with standardized tests. I´m so disappointed right now.
I started studying for the GMAT in August last year. I took the exam in september with only 2 weeks prep and scored 500. After that i studied hard for 2 months and took the exam again, this time I scored 480 (however, i had a terrible headache on the day and I was very stupid not to cancel my score).
Today, after another 2 months of preparation I scored a miserable 520. In my practice exams (and I have taken lots and lots of them from MGMAT, Veritas, Kaplan, Princeton, Knewton, Grockit and GMATprep) I have never scored below 580 (Kaplan) and my average has been 650.
I can only see two reasons for my bad score:
1) I cant keep my nerves during the test, however I was not nervous today as I went in thinking that it will not matter too much as I already have 2 bad scores--hence I felt more relaxed and thought I was doing alright.
2) The practice tests are not at all representative of the real test
I think it is ridiculous that GMAT only offers 2 practice tests, and those 2 are easier than the real test anyhow.
Before this try, I also bought GMAT Focus and took 2 of the tests there (only math). My predicted math score for the first test was 39-46 and for the second test 45-49. This is much much higher than my 35 today.
I do not know what I will do not, perhaps I will shelf my MBA plan altogether or take the GRE before my 4th go at the GMAT. However, I do not think scoring high on the GRE is any easier.
The funny thing is that I thought I was doing quite well in verbal today and my score is very low...
Any ideas of what I should do? I definately have the capability and knowledge score in the middle 600s or higher...I just can´t do it when it comes to the real thing---my whole life I have had trouble with standardized tests. I´m so disappointed right now.
, this must be a sign of your unawareness about your weaknesses. One needs to be realistic in what can be done and how - stuff happens when you are in rush and want to complete the job at any price. Re-evaluate your level by using serious CATs and set the improvement plan for every area you've been testing.
