GMAT just beat me! - 480... Q25 and V31

[smashedpumpkins]

After months of intense study I'm upset with the results... My total unofficial score is 480. I went through the Kaplan GMAT book page by page. I took numerous quizzes and practice tests. I did a lot better on the practice tests than I did in the testing center. I don't know what happened with the quantitative. I felt like every question was the type I knew I would have trouble with. Q25 and V31 were my scores. 15th percentile and 58th percentile. I was aiming for a special scholarship for service program and there's no way I'm going to be accepted now. I'm not sure what my plans are going to be now.... On top of the studying I'm taking 18 credits which really doesn't help. I haven't taken an Algebra based class since high school. My last math class was stats last year. Maybe a review course really was the way to go. I couldn't get myself to fork out the cash needed. Boy oh boy...

[eternal_optimist]

After months of intense study I'm upset with the results... My total unofficial score is 480. I went through the Kaplan GMAT book page by page. I took numerous quizzes and practice tests. I did a lot better on the practice tests than I did in the testing center. I don't know what happened with the quantitative. I felt like every question was the type I knew I would have trouble with. Q25 and V31 were my scores. 15th percentile and 58th percentile. I was aiming for a special scholarship for service program and there's no way I'm going to be accepted now. I'm not sure what my plans are going to be now.... On top of the studying I'm taking 18 credits which really doesn't help. I haven't taken an Algebra based class since high school. My last math class was stats last year. Maybe a review course really was the way to go. I couldn't get myself to fork out the cash needed. Boy oh boy...

Sorry to hear about your less than expected score. At this point of time, you should firstly relax,go through some success stories on BTG and I am sure you'd be motivated enough to bounce back. I think what is more important than studying is the *way* you're studying. To get a good score, you have to make sure that you are studying the right way. I think you'll have to really work on your Quant skills. Even assuming that you have had a bad day when luck was just not on your side, landing up with a 15th percentile is a little difficult to fathom. Which intake do you plan to apply for and what's your target score ?

[smashedpumpkins]

Sorry to hear about your less than expected score. At this point of time, you should firstly relax,go through some success stories on BTG and I am sure you'd be motivated enough to bounce back. I think what is more important than studying is the *way* you're studying. To get a good score, you have to make sure that you are studying the right way. I think you'll have to really work on your Quant skills. Even assuming that you have had a bad day when luck was just not on your side, landing up with a 15th percentile is a little difficult to fathom. Which intake do you plan to apply for and what's your target score ?

You're right, I really should have focused on my math more. The score is horrible and I know I can do a lot better. I know for a fact that at one point in time I could answer a lot of the questions, but my knowledge has since faded. I almost took a basic college math class last semester as review, but I couldn't wiggle it into my schedule. My goal score was only a 550 with an optimistic hope of 600. The school I'm trying to get into is Idaho State University. It's not really hard to get into and my 480 is enough to qualify, but the scholarship for service program is the main reason I wanted in. It's a government sponsored information assurance program. The program along with the MBA will take a total of 2 years. (The program is 20 hours a week) They pay your tuition and pay you a $1,000 monthly. The program requires you to become certified in Security+, SSCP and CISSP. I'm already Seucrity+ certified. The 20 hours a week is all training in information assurance. The program also gets you various clearances to work in government jobs during 2 internships and then for 2 years after.

But... This GMAT score will not get me into the program. I'm faced with a few options now. My undergraduate date is July and the MBA program starts this Fall in August/September. My application needs to be in by May. I honestly don't have time to study again for the GMAT. (I'm taking 18 credits now that will end on April 9th and starting 18 more credits a week later for my last semester. My school is a tri-semester based school.) So I can either attend ISU for the MBA program alone or wait a year and work before reapplying for both the scholarship for service and MBA program.

So that leads me to my next question. Is an MBA from Idaho State University worth much? Most of the people here are talking about A and B schools. Of course it's better than nothing, but is it worth $20,000? The scholarship program would have thrown me into a great situation with great work experience and with no loans. I'm really going back and forth right now. Any input would be really appreciated. Thanks!

[nehs]

First of all, decide if you want to apply to this program. If you want to apply then work hard for 1-2 months and get your score to 550. Not hard at all to score a 550 considering that your V score is 31(pretty good).
Concentrate on Math. Learn some formulae. Learn some new question types. Most Important - solve as many problems as you can from the Official Guide,11 or 12 edition. And you should be all set for a 550.
I'm assuming that you are a native English Speaker,which means SC and RC *could* be easier for you to tackle. For CR, just learn a few questions types and practice about 10-20 of each type. This will help drill the CR concepts into you. Also, using the right books is very important. Kaplan books have not helped anyone much. If your budget permits then we could suggest you a couple of good books. If you are on a tight budget then buy the Official Guide to the GMAT,12th edition alone.
Second, I too scored a 490 ,I know it sucks, in my first attempt because I went into the exam with a target of 550. This time I'm targetting 680+ and that is helping me to achieve more than the 550 I need. So my adivce to you is, study hard for a 600 and you will score anywhere between 570(assuming a bad day)-630(the best possible) on your test.
Finally,about your question on ISU and MBA - the answer depends on your career goals. I am also one of those people who is not trying for a top 10 or A level business school.OFcourse, we all know that A level schools maygive you a better pay package post-MBA and better job profile. But, if you are not looking for all that, then stick to your plan. I personally feel that it is very much possible to get a 550-600 in one month prep. But, you say that you have 18 credits to take. That will be hard to manage alongside your GMAT prep. Is it possible for you to squeeze in 1-2 hours daily(SERIOUS STUDY) exclusively for the GMAT? If yes, then the next 2 months will be enough for you to score 550-600.

Good Luck.