The GMAT SHAT on me

[tewchihuahua]

Here is my practice test history over the past 3 months:

GMAT Prep 1 - 590 Q39 V32
GMAT Prep 2 - 640 Q42 V36
MGMAT 1 - 660 Q45 V35
PowerPrep1 - 620 Q42 V34
PowerPrep2 - 670 Q42 V39
MGMAT 2 - 700 Q43 V42

I took the GMAT Preps 7 other times to get more practice with the time constraints, averaging 670 Q41 V40, which could be slightly inflated, but I didn't get too many repeat questions.

I was feeling good about things going into the actual exam. Based on my practice exams, I was confident that I could at least pull off a score in the mid 600's, which would be fine with me.

After I finished the verbal section, I was confident I had reached my goal as I clicked through the final screens. I saw my score 590 Q36 V35 and was totally surprised. What a joke! Total blow to my confidence. I passed all 4 CPA exams on my first attempt but couldn't even get above a 600 on the GMAT. Maybe I was too confident. I did not expect to get below a 650. No idea what happened. I was calm throughout the whole test. I felt like I was catching a lot of the math tricks. What a waste of 250 bones. I felt like I had made some good progress over the past 3 months of studying only to get the same score on the actual test that I got on my 1st pre-study practice test.

So do I retake it in a month? Or should I study another 3? Very frustrated. You guys rock, thanks for all your posts.

[gmatprepryan]

how did u study?

[tewchihuahua]

I studied about 2 hours everyday and took a practice test about once a week. I read and did all of the problems in the Kaplan book, GMAT 800, OG11 &12 + additional OG quanitative and verbal books, Princeton Review book.

[aj5105]

''The GMAT SHAT on me'' - this is one of the funniest lines i 've ever read. you are creative, dude.

you are bound to get a good score in your re-take. ATB!

[ssmiles08]

LOL!!!

I think you might do better if you retake it again...figure out where you went wrong in the actual GMAT...so there might be a way of preparing for your next GMAT. Also you could try taking more tests (different variety lke PR, Kaplan...)

[ogbeni]

Dude seriously ROFLMAO @ your subject line!!!!! You obviously have a sense of humor so perhaps you can sit back and laugh at the the way the GMAT had a laugh at your expense and then tell the GMAT that you will be the one laughing at the end of the day.

You are half way to your intended destination....you just got side tracked. Now you know the enemy and what to expect. Go back, study again, re-take the GMAT and then laugh at the GMAT because you would have done what it did to you.

I'm sure you'll do better. Chin up and chest out my man - you can do it

[barira1]

give ur self a second chance , i m sure you will get good scores!
All the best.

[Eye-on-the-Prize]

I wouldn't beat myself up too much. I beleive I've read on this forum somewhere that a vast majority of the high scorers take the test at least twice. As for retaking the test, you may want to consider purchasing some or all of the MGMAT quant books. They are effective because they do not provide any unnecessary information that the GMAT will not test. They hammer down the basic principles and provide a 15 question practice set following each section which can provide you with diagnostic information about your strengths and weaknesses.

Another suggestion that has been recommended by a number of the high scorers on this forum is to track the questions that you answer incorrectly. I try to log the question and explanation of each question I get wrong and review the log weekly so I don't repeat the mistake.

All the best in Round 2.