My tragic story - please advise

[three_eyed_fish]

Hey friends,


I can't believe I am writing this because it means I am actually acknowledging the fact that I am going to take the GMAT again - for the third time.

I took it in May 2008 and was extremely pleased with my 690. However, my verbal was in the 95% percentile while my Quant was way low in 61%.
Since my background is unique and has nothing to do with the business world, I was advised to improve so I can prove to the adcoms that I can handle the program. So I got a tutor (2 actually) and solved a huge amount of quant questions, studied for 2 more months - and got 650.
Yea, I know right?

Anyway, to add to this Greek tragedy I did not get into any of the schools I applied to this year. So I am rolling up my sleeves and trying again, with my heart set on my dream school, Tuck.

My questions is - what is the best way to attack quant? I am willing to work hard!! Should I dedicate just as much time to verbal even though I scored high? Should I study fundamentals again or just dive into practice questions? We gotta make this work yo.

thanks in advance,

Your new friend

[togrey12]

Wow, reading your post really scares me. I just took mine one week ago and got a 690 with a 92% verbal and 68% quant.

I am getting mixed feedback on whether I need to take again and I'm with you - I cannot look at another math problem. 3 months of studying was enough.

I can definitely empathize with you. Did you apply top 20 this year?

[three_eyed_fish]

first of all don't be alarmed. As you know your application is made out of a whole bunch of things and the GMAT is just one factor.
In my case I have no business background so the quant on the GMAT is the only way for the adcom to evaluate my skills. If you come from a more mathematics oriented background or do a lot of work with numbers this might not be a huge issue. However from what I read, at least at Tuck 75% on quant is a "watermark" for them, not a certain no but something to think seriously about.

I applied to top 20 schools and I did get waitlisted at Stern which means there is hope. I also keep getting the "oh if you would have applied any other year it would be fine" because there are so many applicants due to the financial crisis...
hope this helps, i feel ya.

[Joe@VeritasPrep]

Hi,

Were your tutors specifically for the GMAT or for math skills in general? If it was the former, how was their approach in preparing you for the material? If it was the latter, then I would suggest that you work with someone who can teach you the GMAT material.

Let's say, worst case scenario, you cannot raise your score. You can take quant courses to show the admissions committee that you are taking steps to prepare you for business school.

[roma]

hi,

did you give any practice tests and enroled for any simulated tests online? What was your score then and quants in particular?

[Joe@VeritasPrep]

Hi,

It was 2003 when I took the GMAT, so I don't remember my practice test scores. In fact, I don't remember the quant or verbal breakdown for the actual GMAT. But, I do remember that I improved steadily throughout the course and I know that the data sufficiency is something I would not have done well with at all had I not learned some of the tricks from my instructor.