I just failed the GMAT = Devastated. Is there hope?

[jcha84]

I just took my first GMAT and got a 450 (Q: 35, V: 11). I'm so mad at myself! I've been taking practie exams and this is the lowest score i've ever seen. I've been ranging from 550 - 610 in Manhattan, Kaplan and Gmat Prep. I thought I can pull up my overall score with high Quantitative score because I've been getting 42 - 46 in Practice exams, but I got a 35! I thought DS in the real GMAT was very tricky. I know I need to focus on DS, SC and RC. (English is my second language. I think I might need to start with the basic grammer for SC.)

I'm trying to apply for the fall semeter. The deadline is April 1st. I'm debating if I should take the GMAT again in March. I need to get over 600! Do you think that's enough time? Is it even possible to pull up 150 + in a month? (I have a fulltime job). Please help!

[iamcrazy]

hey jcha...ur score is very low..though gettng 600 is not impossible bt it is difficult seeing ur score...i think u spoiled ur exam,esp. quant, due to pressure.. but u can defintly gv it a shot again as u have been scoring better in mock exams...this time just be relaxed....and follow these rules...they might help...

1. this is not the end....so just pacify ur self....nd start ur prep again....
2. manhatan's book for SC...is bible...ur long lost concepts will be cleared...u will feel much better aftr u read every page of it...understand the whole buk...m sure u wil improve...
3. CR is where u can score...just solve OG 10 complete twice....read the solutions carefully...they might seem boring...but read them twice thrice.....
4. Solve all the passages of OG 10....and again do the same....read all the solutions...whthr u do right or wrong....see the answers...this way u will learn the approach they take towards CR nd RC...
5. Make a table with headings... a. question number ....b. question type....c. answer wrong or right....d. what went wrong(if wrong)...this way u wil identify ur weak areas....
6. practice and just be confident...divide ur time carefully....to each section....

all the best

[sumanr84]

Yup!! Its possible but you have to sit in retrospection.

If you are aiming only for 600 then you need to align your studies accordingly. What I mean is, focus on your weak areas and completely leave them ( as ur left with just a month !!) for example - as soon as you see a probability Q, quickly skip it and save your 2 mins..similarly skip one of the RCs and give the saved time to other 3 RCs..Im giving u a very awkward looking advice but u have to work it out your way..

Looking at a math Q, if you are not able to figure out anything within max 30-45 secs then leave it and proceed. GMAT throws some lengthy Qs sometimes to you, which is easy but consumes time to solve..if u could save your time from other Q then u can attack them..( high scorers skip them to save time but u can solve them as u wil have time.. )

Cut short your targets in maths by 7-8 Qs and similarly in Verbal plan out for 7-8 Qs..save your time from the worst and give it to your best..that will give u more time to solve and to solve correctly..
Tip : Never make 3 Qs in a row wrong ( at least during the start of the test, give sufficient time..don't rush..be confident that u have enough time as ur going to skip few )

If ur weak in Verbal, focus more on RCs and CRs..with little practice u can master them..SC needs some more time but don't give up SC practice completely.. Refer Manhattan SC..its the best..!!

All the best..

[money9111]

jcha84 it's definitely possible for you to get up to a 600... especially if you said your practice exams were between a 550 and 610. All of the previous advice given is great...

also remember that it was your first REAL sitting. maybe nerves got to you. Did you run out of time at the end of the exam? That could definitely be a reason for such a low score....

[vivecan2005]

I see the one reason which is "verbal" In quant section where 37 questions are given your scored 35 which is fine and shows the potential capacity that you can touch 700! Yes It is possibile!. The area which you must focus is verbal and this time do following things:

1. Give enough time but treat like a scheduled war

2. Do weak areas comprehensively which means start from a basic grammar book and feel for few week that you are in 8th Grade and start learning from following basic grammar books:

- Max Morenberg's Doing grammar or
- Wren and Martin's High School Grammar

Above study will give you the basic grammar concepts you need and then jump on this book:

Official Guide Verbal review (Graduate Management Admission Council)

And After this verbal review do the Manhattan GMAT SC guide for perfection.
You have to do things comprehensively and then finally learn tricks etc from MGMAT or powerscore.

[sumanr84]

Take my 1 cent advice : Never do OG first, Start with Manhattan and then follow OG ( I did that mistake )

As ur left with just a month, u cann't break the mountain with an axe , so leave any grammar book for the time being.Although, they are good way to approach but time consuming.

Spend more time on RC, but do it correctly. RCs are not experimental so that will boost your score.

[jcha84]

Thank you so much for the advice guys!

I already bought the Manhattan SC yesterday. I'm gonna focus on Verbal and try my best. And yes, I ran out of time for Quantitative. I need to pace myself for this section.
again, thank you for the advice!

[money9111]

Knowing your weakness is golden on this exam... So at least that's a plus side to this. You'll be more relaxed the second time aroud. Good Luck!