Dilemma - getting good in OG but didn't do well in MGMAT

[bhavikrao]

All,

I think there is something wrong with me. I am in dire need of help.

I have been doing OG since last month now ( I have been preping for 1 month).

And normally my hit rate is as follows - DS - 75 to 80%,
Problem solving - 85 to 90%.

English - SC - 80%
CR - 75 to 80%
RC - grey area havent done much practice.

I took MGMAT one week back and got a sorry score of 540.

I took one today and thought was doing well but ran out of times in both the sections. Ended up guess last 10 in each and got most of those 10 wrong. Got only 520%

I had a GRE score of more than 2000 out of 2400, i m shooting for more than 700 and planning the test in end of march..

HELP PLEASEEE!

[beatthegmat]

Certainly take your performance with a grain of salt--it's to be expected that your performances will vary among the different test prep company resources. Focus more on the understanding what questions you got wrong and why. Anecdotally, I've heard that MGMAT tests are a bit tough (which is great for practice!).

Be sure to take a GMATPrep test from MBA.com. These tests are the most accurate indicators of your actual GMAT performance because they feature real but retired questions. If you want to know fairly well where you stand, pay attention to this test over the others.

Good luck!

[Bara]

I want to chime in about real tests - - paper or online -- these are indeed the best indicators of how you will score on the test, as well as a good litmus of your strengths and weaknesses. Third party tests, whether harder or easier, are simply 'different' from the real thing - - and answering real questions and becoming familiar with real answers (and incorrect choices) will help you most.

You've got plenty of time to improve your score. Learn from your mistakes, and make sure you understand why you got answers correct, especially if you 'guessed' on the questions.

Be sure you understand WHY something was wrong, what is the most accurate and efficient way to answer questions of this type, an why the answer you picked was incorrect.

Stay present and focused, and you're good to go!

[bhavikrao]

Eric and Bara,

Thanks a lot. I will be focusing more on practice this week. I will let you guys know how i do in my next one.

I am also assuming that best way to improve is to practice. Doing lots of OG.

Thanks again!
Bhavik

[Bara]

Think quality over quantity.

Utilize strategy, be persistent in understanding the questions you get right - - and wrong - - and yes, Practice, practice, practice.

keep us posted!

Best,

[bhavikrao]

All,

I scored 600 today on my GMAT prep. If you remember, I had scored 540 and 520 on my previous manhattan tests.

Biggest disappointment was math 21 wrong out of 37

Verbal - 13 wrong out of 41.

As said earlier, I am shooting for 700+.. Seems like my math is weaker to my suprises.

[Bara]

Well, considering you're studying on your own, 60 and 80 point improvements are to be applauded!

How DID you study the past 2 weeks....? and what is your plan on getting the last 100 points? And what does the '700' mean for you/why do you need to get 'that' score?

Best,

Bara

[bhavikrao]

Thanks for the post Bara,

I am planning to apply for Northwestern for weekend MBA program. Hence the 700.

I have been practicing lot of OG - verbal and math. Focusing more on verbal.

As I said earlier, I used to be very good on math 780/800 in GRE. Seems like I am little overconfident, but math is just not clicking.

I am thinking to focus more on math. My verbal score has improved but my math is constant. I still can't fathom my poor performance in math. What do you suggest