Improved my score

[tahoe]

I improved my score from 460 (36Q 20V) to 630 (45Q 31V).

I understand this might not be the best score around, but I am happy.
It should be accepted by the schools I am applying to who previously told me to re-take the test: Drexel, Villanova, Temple etc.

The only thing I did during the test, was focused on each section and question and told myself that a thousand times. It paid off.

I like the communication on this site and found it helpful for myself, and wanted to share my experience so it may help someone else. This test is not tough if you focus and you may do better than I did.

[JeffB]

Congratulations - Not everyone needs a 700+ or wants to goto H/S/W

[wgrau]

Congrats on the score increase! A 10 point increase in both Q & V scores is incredible! You definitely deserve a celebration!

[VP_Jim]

That really is a huge improvement. Great job!

[aj5105]

Indeed, a great improvement. Congratuations.

[tahoe]

reply to pm.

Hi Vikram,

Dude, you can do it too!

I started preparing around March 09, but took it seriously around May 09, 20 days before my first attempt and did 4-5 hours a day. I panicked from the start in my first test and doomed myself to score 460 in spite of averaging 600 in practice tests. It was entirely my fault, I was not thinking clearly, thought was getting every question wrong and was not focusing on the next question. So please do not panic or think too much during the test, it will only hurt you, and will be your fault. Do everything you think that will help you and not hurt you.

I was never good at school, I am Indian but not from the typical pool of IT etc, I was always socializing, missed classes and barely passed. So honestly background is not important.

Kaplan is good for a jump-start, will get you to the 500 level. I did Kaplan for 2 months (March 09 to May 09) and was struck around 550 in my practice tests. Kaplan strategies and tricks will not help much if you are not familiar with the content. The real deal is the OG which you mentioned you have and the GMAC Quant and Verbal Guides. Also, trust me if you want 600-650 do not use a ton of books, other people who do have a different goal, they want 700+ and you want 600+. So keep it simple and use only as much as you think that you can manage and will in the end. At least go through every question once or twice in OG 11,12 and the guides, you do not have to know every question, I did not.

After my first attempt, I hunkered down a bit and practiced 3-4 hours a day, have a trail behind my house, used to go there twice a day and told myself that during the next attempt I will not give a damn about the score but focus on each section and every question. Try not to just immerse yourself into GMAT, take it easy sometimes and do other things so that you can re-focus. After going through every question in the guides, I took 5-6 full-length practice tests, and did them as if the real one. I used the 8 online kaptests, bought 6 MGMAT($39) and did the gmatprep 3-4 times.

If you are disappointed, it is not the best thing but not all that bad either. It is awesome for you relative to GMAT, because next time during re-take you will really want to beat this test. Also, you have other significant things to take care in life other than this test, so please do not let this test manipulate you or your attitude in any way. Be cool, you will do it, you know it.

[vik2ram]

Tahoe,

Thanks for such a fast and thorough reply! This insight really helps. All that stands in my way of getting into BS is a score of 600+. I have a conditional offer based on this. Thankfully I have already passed the application and interview process, so the rest is down to the exam.

600+ is not an unachievable score, but where I let myself down is in the maths. When I first started the Kaplan course my diagnostic was 350! My friends though I was lying when I told them!! The maths concepts were totally alien to me, as was a lot of the verbal. Two months down the road, I've retaken the diagnostic and am at 550. I dont have the OG 12th ed. but will get it as I'm told there is new material in it. Sadly, I've let it take over my mind and need to regain a healthy sense of perspective...I know it will work out, I just need to get myself there. I already feel more confident in alot of the maths and an doing well in the verbal.

This online community is REALLY encouraging. If I can go from 350 to 550, then 600+ is just around teh corner.

Thanks again, and good luck at BS!
Vikram

[tahoe]

My kaplan diagnostic was 350 too! I have submitted everything to the 4 schools I have applied to just like you except the GMAT.

You can do it bro! focus on your quant while not neglecting verbal. Just think about this test, do not worry about other things, they will happen once you beat this test.

You will get the score you want.

[janusjanus903]

Great job!

Similar to me I have to score Q45 coming from Q38.
2 days ago without timing I scored q45 at the first mgmat test spend about 15 min extra.
Few days ago I did mgmattest2 timed and scored Q42 so there is progress. I hope to score q45 after revising my wrong answers on the quantOG and 11OG. test is in 7 days.

Could you post your q & v scores on the pratice tests?

https://www.beatthegmat.com/75-quant-cha ... 38430.html

[tahoe]

Honestly, am not so proud of 630, could be better if my verbal did not suck always, thats my fault. I never learned any rules, made passage maps for read comp. at most but otherwise read through. Since you ask the following were my test scores, (one more thing, kaplan sucks, do ogs more often with practice tests-kap, mgmat and offic.)

Gmat: 600-690 (mean-620)
v: 28-38 (mean-30)
q: 39-47 (mean-45)

I guess i did better than my tests.

now have admits for f/t from fox (temple) and drexel, am deciding, if anyone has ideas, please let me know.

[costarica]

I improved my score from 460 (36Q 20V) to 630 (45Q 31V).

I understand this might not be the best score around, but I am happy.
It should be accepted by the schools I am applying to who previously told me to re-take the test: Drexel, Villanova, Temple etc.

The only thing I did during the test, was focused on each section and question and told myself that a thousand times. It paid off.

I like the communication on this site and found it helpful for myself, and wanted to share my experience so it may help someone else. This test is not tough if you focus and you may do better than I did.

Congratulations! I scored a 450 last Monday and I'm retaking the test next October. Your example is very motivating for me.

[dr_gmat]

congratulations, that is a great improvement.