Need Advice - 450 GMAT Disappointment

[ETBX]

So, by the title you can guess that my GMAT score pretty much sucks.

I took a class only focused on the Quant section of the test and spend most of my time in the class overwhelmed. I'm a communications/liberal arts person...so using math is not part of my day-to-day life. I was shocked by how much information I had forgotten since grade school and didn't absorb the info I needed to.

In an effort to try and avoid then new GMAT, I went ahead and registered for the test, crammed for 3 weeks and made a horrible score. Not to mention I was nervous, stressed out and my mind was generally not in the right place. I need to get at least a 650 for my school of choice. Now that I got that score, it made me really sad, but it's motivated me also, but I have a decision to make and I'd like any advice anyone can offer....

Should I...

A) Cram for another month or so to take the GMAT again, try to get a 650 and avoid the new test.

-OR-

B) Admit defeat. Take another course focused on the entire test and take my times studying to prepare to take the new GMAT officially again in the fall or something. I didn't want to take the new one, but I feel like I don't have a choice.

I wanted to apply/start my MBA program this year, but I can't apply with that score. I hate to have to swallow my pride and wait another year to enroll, but I need to be as strong of a candidate as possible.

Please give me your advice! I'm torn! Thank you.

[Ahodge24]

I have been struggling for the exam myself. My scores are 340 (bombed it no studying)...370(rushed because I was accepted into this program called MLT MBA Prep and they needed a score of 500 or higher and I only had 1 month to do it)..and a 440. Overall my score increased by 100 points but that's not good at all.

I last took the exam in November of 2011. Since December I have been studying a lot and my studies have been picking up as my exam approaches in May (22nd to be exact). I enrolled in another course (Kaplan) which will most definitely be to my advantage. Overall, What I am trying to say is that you need to take the time to get the score that you need in order to get into the B-School of your choice. My goal was a 650+ but I will settle a 630. I can get that no doubt because I put about 2 solid months of studying in and still have 1 more left. My math is stronger and my verbal is getting there (SC I am about 80% correct on most of my questions that I'm answering).

PRACTICE PRACTICe PRACTICE. The exam isn't going anywhere nor is the school of your choice. Take the time to master the skills needed to score well and approach each question confidently. Master / memorize idioms, SC errors and how to spot and fix them, CR questioning types and how to make assumptions..Math (memorize algebra formulas and Decimals/Fractions/%'s etc., properties of integers and geometry calculations).

The exam is so basic if you think of it and you can score well if you allow adequate time to understand the concepts being tested. Don't cram.

"The GMAT is like a marathon not a sprint"...

[ETBX]

Thanks so much for your reply! I totally understand your perspective...and it sounds like you're making good progress.

This week, I've been going over my options over and over again and I am beginning to realize that I need to slow down. My main goal is to go to Emory's evening MBA program. The average GMAT is around a 650ish, but I've talked to students that said I needed to break at 600 to be in the running.

I've been considering taking another class, but can't figure out which one is best for me. If you don't mind, can you share your thoughts on the Kaplan class? Did you consider the Princeton Review or others?

Thanks again, I appreciate your thoughts!

[GMAT Kolaveri]

I suggest you to change the way you prepare for the test..

Quality > Quantity of question


For verbal i will recommend egmat course.