Fluctuating GMAT Scores...

[tingroo]

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?????????

[VP_Jim]

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!

[jazzcat4u]

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!

[tingroo]

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.........

[champusingh]

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

[Z_I]

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!!