Please help me !!!

[nina11]

hi guys,

i have given my GMAT 2 days earlier and scored a 470!!!... i dont know what happened when i consistently got in the range of 550-590 in my prep tests. my target was atleast 600(i have a specified school in mind). i was almost sure that i will remain in 55o range and planned to retake the test, but when i saw a 470, i dont know if my preps will even help!, i am so depressed to see my score that i lost the trust in my ability to prep for the exam, i have done og twice and went through some other materials. i knew i wasnt good enough, but i didnt know i was this bad. i want to retake the exam and score atleast 150 points and above. can anyone help me plan my study???. i will only register for gmat after i feel a consistent increase in score in prep tests, so i am giving my self atleast 3 months time, how does that sound?? will i be able to increase 150 points in 2 months time? i am willing to keep my entire social life for this, i am already a graduate and have plenty of time with me before the exam. please guide me anyone, i am in desperate need for help.

thanks

P.S I am planning to go through manhattan 8 strategy guides and giving a week for each of them and going through og again. is this enough?? or do i need to go through more?? please suggest

[vineeshp]

I am no expert and a 750-er will know better than a 700-er like me (probably). Whatever I am telling you is based on my understanding of the test (having taken in multiple times).

I can tell you one thing certainly,

i knew i wasnt good enough

That's a wrong place to start.

The 8 Manhattan guides are enough for preparation. If I were you, I would recommend the Powerscore CR Bible for CR.

How you plan the entire 2 months is up to you. But I request you not to stress out too much. Take a practice test each week and give yourself ample time to review it in detail not worrying too much about the final score you get. MGMAT tests are good, so are Kaplan. (Leave GMATPrep towards the end). Do the OG again giving more attention to solutions. Try to solve math problems you see on this forum. It certainly helps. And finally, keep faith!

All the best.

[Bara]

Well, I 'am' the expert (among many of my colleagues here) and I'm going to point you to a vault article where I was interviewed about anxiety relief. It will help with the stress side of things.

It sounds like you'd REALLY benefit from a class or private tutoring.

https://bit.ly/buhbyeanxiety

[nina11]

I am no expert and a 750-er will know better than a 700-er like me (probably). Whatever I am telling you is based on my understanding of the test (having taken in multiple times).

I can tell you one thing certainly,

i knew i wasnt good enough

That's a wrong place to start.

The 8 Manhattan guides are enough for preparation. If I were you, I would recommend the Powerscore CR Bible for CR.

How you plan the entire 2 months is up to you. But I request you not to stress out too much. Take a practice test each week and give yourself ample time to review it in detail not worrying too much about the final score you get. MGMAT tests are good, so are Kaplan. (Leave GMATPrep towards the end). Do the OG again giving more attention to solutions. Try to solve math problems you see on this forum. It certainly helps. And finally, keep faith!

All the best.

Hi Vineeshp,

Thanks a lot for the suggestion. i am slowly gaining my confidence, but just really scared of the D-Day, i need to get over that. i have never stressed about any exam my entire life!!!... Thanks a lot

[nina11]

Well, I 'am' the expert (among many of my colleagues here) and I'm going to point you to a vault article where I was interviewed about anxiety relief. It will help with the stress side of things.

It sounds like you'd REALLY benefit from a class or private tutoring.

https://bit.ly/buhbyeanxiety

Thank You!!

I need to really get over my stress. I was so nervous that the day before the exam, my fingers were shivering while trying to solve some questions. On the test day, I sat there frozen for few minutes before i could resume my PS questions. Anyways, thanks a lot for your suggestion, i really appreciate it.

[Bara]

If you feel that stress is holding you back (when it rears it's ugly head scores PLUMMET!) then I can suggest you check out the only GMAT-specific test anxiety relief product on the market: ours.

https://testprepny.com/pages/products_gmat.htm

You can also work with me, or one of our coaches privately. In which case you can contact me off line, but this product will help you with eliminating the stress and anxiety that is getting in your way, as well as building confidence and performing your best test day.

You can check it out on the link that is above.

[vineeshp]

You are most welcome, Nina. Test day anxiety is something most people face.

One factor that affects it is the way some of us made GMAT more important than life. I did that and I went in telling myself I have failed if I don't get a specific score. And that was the nail.

Chill out, do your best and leave the rest to Luck and GMAC.

[Bara]

Vineesh,

Yes: most people feel some level of anxiety, and don't think they can do anything about it. But they can!! That's where we come in...

[prateek_guy2004]

Hi i would suggest you to calm down first and try learning the basics 1st, give urself time to learn everything ...dont rush.....After completing a topic practice lot of question from that topic itself.

Since You are scared of D day You must give as many mock test as possible making it similar to the gmat center....be serious in ur exam , dont answer call etc.

Manhattan are the best recourse available for gmat, but i would suggest for CR go with CR bible....

And also make your learning fun...i mean study for an hour take a break chiil out.....dont make it a stress.....

And let me know howz ur prep goin and ur strategies.....

Gmat is about basics and presence of mind.......just try to combine both...i am sure ull acheive a btter score than u expecting....

chaw

[nina11]

Hi i would suggest you to calm down first and try learning the basics 1st, give urself time to learn everything ...dont rush.....After completing a topic practice lot of question from that topic itself.

Since You are scared of D day You must give as many mock test as possible making it similar to the gmat center....be serious in ur exam , dont answer call etc.

Manhattan are the best recourse available for gmat, but i would suggest for CR go with CR bible....

And also make your learning fun...i mean study for an hour take a break chiil out.....dont make it a stress.....

And let me know howz ur prep goin and ur strategies.....

Gmat is about basics and presence of mind.......just try to combine both...i am sure ull acheive a btter score than u expecting....

chaw

Hi Prateek,

Thanks a lot. Like you said, i am planning to take it easy and not rush into things. I have just started my study and I will post my progress here, Thanks!!!

[Bara]

With all due respect: repetition with taking GMAT diagnostics is NOT a sure thing to alleviate your anxiety. Anxiety tends to become more intense over time, even if you're working on the thing which is the trigger to make you anxious.

Your nervousness has to do with a response to the material and the testing situation, not the 'algebra', 'modifiers' or 'reading passages.' The more the practice with tests, the more you're actually reinforcing the anxiety come test day. It seems counter intuitive, that continuous study would not make you 'feel' better, but worse, but it does. You will gain more control over the material, and 'logically' you may know you shouldn't feel nervous, but when you put yourself in situations that will trigger the anxiety (even if you know the material) the nervousness will be there. On a high-stakes test like the GMAT, where you might know content, but really what you're being tested on is how to utilize your critical thinking WITHIN the content mastery, the many 'unknowns' can often trigger one's anxiety.

SO if you do feel nervous, set a course that is parallel to content mastery by getting into your best, affirming, and empowering self. That will get you into the best mindset for taking the test!

Best,