Beat by nerves- 670 to a 620. What went wrong?

[rinoa]

So this afternoon, I took my GMAT for the second time because I was convinced I could score a 700+. My first attempt got me a 670 this past December. I said I would give myself a month off, then get back to it. Today, I scored a dismal 620 (39 Quant, 38 Verbal) even though the last GMATPrep I took got me a 770.

I don't know what happened. I think for one, I got wayyyyy toooooo anxious. I was more nervous this time around than last because I felt like I could do very well this time. Somehow, that drove my mind crazy and I was in a sort of daze throughout my whole exam. I had to rush through the last six questions of quant and still couldn't finish it and had to leave two questions blank. That left a sour taste in my mouth as I went into verbal and of course, the end result reflected the whole mind ordeal. I really think the GMAT is as much a test of math/grammar as it is of one's mental strength...

Not really sure where to go from here. I feel disappointed, and I don't feel like going back to my books. I was so sure that I was going to be done with this exam...

My past CAT exams were like so:
GMATPrep1 640 (41 Q, 35 V)
MGMAT 1 670
MGMAT 2 680
MGMAT 3 670
MGMAT 4 690
MGMAT 5 720
MGMAT 6 740
GMATPrep 2 690
GMATPrep 1 (retake) 710 (47 Q, 40 V)
GMATPrep 2 (retake) 770 (50 Q, 46 V)

Obviously the retakes were inflated. Just didn't realize an inflated score could be so different than reality!

I think I am also not understanding what this exam is truly about. I feel like I seriously am missing some sort of key understanding in how to approach this test. Doing practice problems over and over and practice tests is obviously not hitting the mark.

[AVbyT]

Hi rinoa - Don't loose hope...I had the same experience a week ago...my actual score dropped from 630 to 610 (Q40!!!) whereas I was scored a 720 - GMATPrep 1 and 750 in the GMATPrep2. Only after the 2nd attempt i realized that for anxious folks like us preparation is more about timing and battling anxiety issues rather than perfecting a topic/subject.

Below is my post for your reference...

https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-2-timin ... 09001.html

Remember it's a game and you need to be on top of both - the material and the timing. Check around the forums for some Timing videos and then when you are ready give it another shot.

However, 670 is pretty decent score so you may wanna apply with that - I'm not sure of your profile and work experience but I'd be more than happy with 670 with an even break up of Quant and Verbal scores!

Hope it helps...


_________________
My Road to MBA (to INSEAD Hopefully) - https://mbahopeful.wordpress.com/

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Hi rinoa,

From your post, it looks like you have sufficiently mastered the content to score 700+.
So, it would seem that there are some issues with timing and stress management.

I recently wrote two articles for BTG that addressed these issues.
Timing: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/02/ ... n-test-day
Anxiety: https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2012/03/ ... n-test-day

The big takeaway for both of them is to have a contingency plan ready to initiate on test day.

Cheers,
Brent

[shamanth]

Hi Rinoa,

I totally understand your pain - in the same boat really! got a 660 and then dunked to 600! rather disappointing- however our personal circumstances may be different- but I think its more to do with the timing and anxiety!!

I actually froze on a few EASY math questions....! haha...i guess morning exams are a bad idea...anxiety got the better of me.

Anyway bottom line is understanding your key weak areas....be it CR strategy, SC strategy....its not about doing many Q's but more importantly know your strategies for SC, CR and WHY you are getting a particular answer wrong. Also then finding ways to do each question faster.

I hope, given the fact that you know there are others out there in a similar situation makes you feel a tad better, and and dont give up!

nerves got the better of me...but unfortunately I need the gmat to get my MBA...so gonna smash it the next time round!! : )))

[jitin]

hm

[rinoa]

Thank you for all the replies! After feasting over all my favorite foods last night I am feeling less disappointed and now it's more of a c'est la vie mind set.

AVbyT- I'm sorry to hear you went through a similar experience! I'll definitely check out those Timing videos but it's just so hard to tell on test day if nerves will just eat us up or not haha. I'm actually just taking the GMAT now to get it over with before applying to schools in a year or two. I've only been working in the solar energy industry for just barely a year, so I feel I need to get more work experience under my belt for sure.

Brent@GMATPrepNow- Thank you for the article links. Wish I had found them sooner! I definitely realize I start guessing way too late into the game...

shamanth- Oh gosh I am sorry to hear you also dropped in score! That moment when you hit the next button and a lower score pops up is just such a horrible feeling isn't it? I felt like I walked out of the test center in a daze. I also froze on a few questions on quant too! But I just couldn't snap out of this weird feeling... I understand how frustrating it is that we let anxiety get the better of us...I hope to hear about your success story soon!!

jitin- I understand how tired you must feel. I was feeling pretty exhausted by the whole ordeal. I didn't realize a standardized test could be so draining in terms of mental energy. I like your attitude and that you're keeping the 700 dream up! I guess we really just need to keep fighting and really figure out what is going wrong- whether it is a matter of understanding the content or if it's the test anxiety...May is coming up pretty soon if you really are thinking about taking it again then! I have decided that I may take the next generation GMAT now because I don't want to rush the process anymore.

[jitin]

from where should i again start practicing verbal?? suggest be something how to do rc?