Score fluctuation

[kaustubh_b]

This is something which is very strange according to me. Till my final two tests I had been consistently hitting the lower 600s. Surprisingly, in my final 2 tests I managed a 690 and 670. I have my GMAT in 2 days time and i'm really wondering what suddenly happened?
Also, I have written all my tests at various times of the day and only the 690 was achieved when I wrote it at exactly the time of my actual GMAT.
Is this an accurate indicator of what range my final score would lie in?

Would appreciate insights.

[Brian@VeritasPrep]

Hi kaustugh_b,

Congratulations on an upswing in your test scores, at just about the right time! I'd change the word "surprisingly" to "deservedly" - you should see your score rise as you get closer to test day if you're studying and working on your common mistakes, so I think you're on the right track!

At this point, the best thing you can do is be confident - you've earned your way up from the low 600s to having a reasonable shot at 700+, and the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Don't doubt the 690's validity - there is a small chance that it was a "fluke", but there's a much, much larger chance that you earned it, so take all of the positive energy that comes with knowing you've worked hard and are on the verge of a big payoff, and trust yourself on test day.

Confidence is one of the most important factors on the GMAT, so for anyone on the eve of your test, take whichever indicators you can that you should be confident and embrace them. Trust yourself, trust your plan for pacing and your strategies for attacking each problem, and trust that the work you put in will pay off.

Good luck on Wednesday!

[akahuja143]

I also kind have my doubts with GMATRPEP score, I feel that scares are inflated a bit if have worked with OG questions pretty well, I noticed that quite few questions were repeated from OG. Do let us know how you do on real exam

[harshavardhanc]

Hi kaustugh_b,

Congratulations on an upswing in your test scores, at just about the right time! I'd change the word "surprisingly" to "deservedly" - you should see your score rise as you get closer to test day if you're studying and working on your common mistakes, so I think you're on the right track!

At this point, the best thing you can do is be confident - you've earned your way up from the low 600s to having a reasonable shot at 700+, and the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Don't doubt the 690's validity - there is a small chance that it was a "fluke", but there's a much, much larger chance that you earned it, so take all of the positive energy that comes with knowing you've worked hard and are on the verge of a big payoff, and trust yourself on test day.

Confidence is one of the most important factors on the GMAT, so for anyone on the eve of your test, take whichever indicators you can that you should be confident and embrace them. Trust yourself, trust your plan for pacing and your strategies for attacking each problem, and trust that the work you put in will pay off.

Good luck on Wednesday!

Hi Brian,

I'm not kaustugh_b, but those words can surely be the best medicine for someone who has appointment with Dr.GMAT in another 4 days.

[kaustubh_b]

Hi Brian,
I would like to thank you for your inspiring words. I must let you know that it really gave me a lift before the exam. I ended up getting a 670 although I know I could have reached 700+, if only I had not made a couple of silly mistakes. I also noticed that the actual GMAT is much simpler as compared to GMAT Prep and the Kaplan tests that I wrote.
So, I would just like to tell everyone going out there to write the GMAT, not to worry too much and try to do their best. Keeping a cool head is just about the best thing you can do to get a higher score.

Next thing lined up for me, is applying to universities. I would welcome suggestions for this as well.

And again, thanks a lot Brian for your help and advice.

Regards
Kaustubh

[papgust]

Congratulations! Can you please share your experience with the exam?

[Brian@VeritasPrep]

Congratulations, Kaustubh - that's fantastic news! I'm glad to hear that this thread was useful, but, truthfully, you had already earned that confidence.

Thank you for sharing this with the community here - your words "keeping a cool head is just about the best thing you can do to get a higher score" certainly ring true.

Best of luck as you apply - I know that there are some fantastic experts on the MBA admissions forums through BTG, including a few that I've met personally and whose opinions I respect highly.

And, Harsh - best of luck to you, as well...it sounds like your test day is beckoning. Trust yourself, relax, and do your best! Like Kaustubh mentioned, it's those "silly" mistakes that will hurt the most, so remind yourself to double-check those mistakes that you tend to make most often, and you should maximize your score.

[harshavardhanc]

Congratulations, Kaustubh - that's fantastic news! I'm glad to hear that this thread was useful, but, truthfully, you had already earned that confidence.

Thank you for sharing this with the community here - your words "keeping a cool head is just about the best thing you can do to get a higher score" certainly ring true.

Best of luck as you apply - I know that there are some fantastic experts on the MBA admissions forums through BTG, including a few that I've met personally and whose opinions I respect highly.

And, Harsh - best of luck to you, as well...it sounds like your test day is beckoning. Trust yourself, relax, and do your best! Like Kaustubh mentioned, it's those "silly" mistakes that will hurt the most, so remind yourself to double-check those mistakes that you tend to make most often, and you should maximize your score.

Thanks Brian, for those kind words!

Yes, you are absolutely right! My test is on 19th of this month. I hope that I will perform somewhat better than I did in my last attempt. You'll surely be one of the first persons to know my score .

[akahuja143]

Congrats kaustubh_b your results are inspiration for me.. Hopefully .. I can also end up Happy like you.. my G day on 16th of this month. I am also kind worried with GMAT prep practice score.. I scored 710 on GMAT prep 1 but noticed quite few questions were repeated from OG.. and that definitely inflated my score especially on verbal.

Best of luck with your applications !!!

[akahuja143]

kaustubh_b would you mind sharing your score split?

Thanks

[kaustubh_b]

Hi akahuja143,
My split is:
Quant: 47
Verbal:35
I would say don't worry....just relax and write the test just as you did during your practice tests. The questions are not really very different. Remember to concentrate well and not get distracted at any point of time.
A very good luck to you with your attempt.

Regards
Kaustubh

PS: Brian, its all thanks to the help from you guys here at BTG that I was able to score what I did.....

[Brian@VeritasPrep]

Thanks, kaustubh - and congratulations, again! Great work, and great advice for everyone else reading these forums!