690 (Q48/V36) - High(er) Practice CATs/Low(er) Offl. Score

[ahe207]

Hi there,

A bit of background: Economics Major at NYU 3.7 GPA with 3 years work experience at a smaller asset management firm (in a niche industry).

So my GMAT story started almost two years ago when I took a Kaplan course. In hindsight, I should have put the course off until I was more serious about studying for the test (thought maybe the classes would inspire me?)

I really got serious about applying to business school at the end of last year (for Fall 2013) and began my prep (in earnest) in late March. I primarily used the following materials:

OG12
Kaplan course book and notes (to review, but didn't use them much)
MGMAT Number Properties
MGMAT Word Problems
MGMAT Geometry
GMATPrep Question Pack 1

You might be wondering why there are no verbal materials. Well, that's because when I took the first GMATPrep test (before studying anything), I scored a 690 with a lower Q score (I can't remember what) a and V45. I figured I was probably good with verbal so to focus on quant (and in following prep tests, identify my verbal weaknesses). Well, throughout my quant study, I took the following tests.

MGMAT1: 730(Q45/V45)
MGMAT2: 670(Q47/V34) - but I took this very late and was tired/groggy by the time I got to verbal
MGMAT3: 740(Q46/V45)
MGMAT4: 720(Q47/V41)
MGMAT5: 740(Q46/V45)
GMATPrep2: 710 (Q48/V39)

Just took the test today (6/25/2012) and got a 690 (Q48/V36)

So obviously, I was hoping for a higher score (or at least breaking 700), considering how I'd been doing on my practice CATs.

Towards the end of my studying, I realized my verbal had its weaknees, mainly SC. I didn't have much time to study for it and perhaps the 2nd GMATPrep test psyched me out. The weird part is that I felt like I was doing well during the verbal section (Edit: I've since read it's a bad sign if you feel the test is easy).

So anyway (sorry this is long), I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Do you think it may have also been a stamina thing? I did only do a full CAT once (GMATPrep2)...

The obvious answer is that I need to work on verbal (and I've identified that SC is my main weakness), but I would also appreciate any advice regarding how I should manage my time studying (not forgetting quant) and dealing with apps/essays.

I'd also like to note that I can't retake it in exactly a month because I will be in the midst of a big work project (will also make studying/applying more difficult) during that time, so will probably have to take it in August.

Thanks!

[Jim@StratusPrep]

Stamina looks to be the most likely culprit. You should probably sit for a few entire exams and retake. You are there and a 730/740 will be much more competitive than a 690.

[ahe207]

Thanks, Jim!

I actually just got back from (finally) taking it a second time and scored a 710 (Q48/V39). I have to thank you because I really felt pretty horrible after the first test and your kind words helped bring me out of my funk and back into study mode.

I'm a little peeved because I thought I could have done better on verbal but messed up the timing, but otherwise I'm satisfied.

How competitive do you think this makes me (as opposed to a 730/740)? I really don't have the energy to take the test again as my work keeps me very busy and I'm amazed I even had the time to score a 710.

Like I said before, I had a 3.7 GPA at NYU (Econ major, Business Studies minor) and work in a niche industry that I doubt more than a few others will be coming out of (also currently managing 3 people).

I'm also confident that I have excellent recommendations (and hopefully great apps!).

Thanks again!

[ahe207]

And for those wondering how I improved my score....

Before I begin, I'd like to mention that I have always been a horrible standardized test taker, so I'm now confident that anyone who works hard enough can score a 700+!

After my test, I admit I was in a bit of a funk and didn't look at any of my GMAT materials for about two weeks. After I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I got back into the grind by going through the MGMAT Sentence Correction guide. I also did most of the OG problems, getting more than 9/10 correct.

Then my big work project started, so I didn't really get a chance to do anything GMAT until August.

I was also worried about keeping up my quant so I went through all of the medium/hard DS and PS problems in the OG and catalogued those that I got wrong. This helped me figure out which concepts I didn't really "know" (but had instead crammed for and forget) and allowed me to just focus on those.

I retook an MGMAT CAT and scored well but I got an exact repeat for the verbal section so didn't think it was reliable enough to "count" and decided to only use the GMATPREP Tests.

GMATPREP 1 (retake): 710 (Don't remember breakdown)
GMATPREP 2 (retake): 760 (Q49/V46)

At this point I felt much better stamina-wise and scheduled the test (somehow got an appointment for the next week - in NYC - all the other appointments were more than 4 weeks away or at ungodly hours and I really needed to get it done).

Actual GMAT: 710 (Q48/V39)

Like I said above, I'm a little peeved because I thought I could have done better on verbal but messed up the timing (also really needed to use the bathroom!).

With the last two CATs, I had a few repeats from the first time around, but not that many so thought I'd do a little better than my 710 score. In hindsight, the real test is inherently more stressful and screwing up timing can happen to even well rehearsed GMAT takers (I've always been great on timing).


RE-TAKEAWAYS!

1. Stop feeling sorry for yourself (if you are)
2. Remember that you need to keep up your quant/verbal skills
3. Re-figure out what you're weak on
4. Even having a few repeats on practice tests can manipulate your score (you may know it or be less stressed)
5. During the test, keep calm and try to relax when you sense your stress levels rising (I could have done better with this)
6. Don't drink too much water/liquids!


Thanks again to Jim and everyone else on this forum. It has been so, so useful (for problem explanations and advice) and I recommend it to anyone I know taking the GMAT.

And good luck to those who haven't yet "BEATtheGMAT"!

[Jim@StratusPrep]

Way to go! Honestly, once you get in the 700s there is marginal improvement in application odds to reach higher. Spend time on your apps.