620 (Q 47 V 28) PLEASE READ...possible scoring error?

[Arcane66]

I just took the GMAT for the second time. The first time I took the exam I scored a 660 (Q 42 V 39) 6.0 AWA (September 2010). I took the test today (January 17th, 2012) and scored a 620 (Q 47 V 28). I did not study a ton for the verbal portion of the exam, but I did do practice problems over each of the sections before retaking the exam. I have an extremely hard time believing that I got a 28 in the verbal section given that I was SUPER confident about the verbal section and had time on the tougher questions to make sure I was getting the correct answers. I called the GMAT Customer Service and the representative told me that I must wait until I get the Official GMAT Score Report. At this time, I would be able to challenge single questions (not the entire section of verbal). I'm very perplexed by my score and cannot fathom how such a low score is possible. I know for damn sure I was doing well because I was actively reading everything in the verbal section and felt as though I was understanding everything quite well. I took my time and finished the section with about a minute left and didn't feel as though I had to guess on any of the questions. I hate to try to accuse the test of being wrong, but I don't see myself as being this poor in English.

[bblast]

Hey, The GMAT verbal section is not a test of English but of how well u can avoid traps and apply rules specifically tested by the GMAT. Plus the verbal section scores do fluctuate severely with a few questions wrong here and there. I don't think challenging the scores and investing time in the process will do any good(the GMAT uses 3 algorithms to score u - and there has not been case in a zillion of scores being changed), but instead a planned organized retake(if required) would serve you much better.

Good Luck !!

[Arcane66]

I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I know it just isn't a test of English.... I've taken the test before and I've prepped for it for it several times. I'm just at a loss...I guess I might retake, but not for some time.

[pemdas]

active reading is a crucial key to success in GMAT verbal, but then again as bblast says it's not that easy to ask GMAC for the score review

i woudn't count on score review too much but would share my reply to the thread started by another GMAT taker who experienced a huge drop-down in quant from 48 to 36. You did score 39 verbal in the previous administration, and he did 48 for the quant in two previous administrations. Here's that link with reply https://www.beatthegmat.com/from-760-to- ... tml#443790

Additionally, you might consider a banal fact of too much reading into answer choices. As long as you quickly read and understand what's talked about in the passage - i.e. by closing a book (in your practice sessions) or "covering" screen, you're able to tell some one the same story in your own words - that should be enough. No need to scrutinize the text and bring tons of main idea, topic sentence, inference question theories to your test taking skills for the RC section. SC is one domain to test your knowledge of English grammar and style. Whereas the CR section is an area your logic would be struggling with the obscured content of some newly added (fresh) questions on GMAT.

As per the latter, one example is relevant. If I know that I need to be reasonable in expressing my ideas in this post in order for you to judge and accept my words as some proximity of truth, I will select the right set of words and will direct an emotion of my statements accordingly then. However, if I don't care what you will think and how you will judge my post, I may use very obscured logic here. The test writers for GMAT would draw many sets of exam statements and/or arguments which contain the pieces of very obscured logic. They will present these statements to you in GMAT exam. If you run across some really convoluted stuff, it's easier to understand that you need to be careful in weighing your answer. Yet, some "easy" stuff which would sound and/or be looking as "easy" stuff will be trap for you, as you could be unarmed to attack such statements.

I have an extremely hard time believing that I got a 28 in the verbal section given that I was SUPER confident about the verbal section and had time on the tougher questions to make sure I was getting the correct answers.

What I've written here everything is relevant to me as well! When I feel a rat somewhere, or citing you again see "tougher questions" - Yes, I am careful and think twice to avoid the wrong answer. But sometimes, the questions which seem absolutely crystal clear and easy - TRAP.

Plus some degree of "over-confidence" which a likelihood of sweet poison again.

good luck on retake