Wow - 480 (Q32 V23) - feel completely stunned...

[rosh26]

Hi,

I took the GMAT today and got a 480 (Q32 V23). Here are the breakdown of my scores:

Initial Kaplan Test - 530
GMAT Prep I - 540 (1.5 months of studying)
MGMAT 1- 610 (Q40 V34)
MGMAT 2 - 600 (Q40 V33)
GMAT Prep II - 560 (Q36 V31)
MGMAT 3 - 580 (Q35 V34)
MGMAT 4 - 650 (Q43 V44)
GMAT Prep I (2nd) - 640 (Q42 V35)
GMAT Prep II (2nd) - 660 (Q45 V35)
GMAT Prep I (3rd) - 690 (Q44 V40)

I really don't know what went wrong. I know I rushed through the quant, some of the data sufficiency I just answered without really working them out (trust me I know better, I don't know why I did that) I was just so nervous I was going to run out of time...I also didn't know how to answer a lot of the questions...especially under pressure...

In terms of verbal, I got some REALLY hard passages, so I thought I was doing well...I guess not! There were 2 really long, science passages, one about molecular biology and RNA...what the hell??? The questions (in my opinion) were really hard, but i could have SWORN I was doing a good job answering them...

my question...honestly...is where do i go from here? Do I get private tutoring? Try to take a class?? For this test, I used all MGMAT books (bought from craigslist) and set a rigorous schedule for myself...I went through all the MGMAT guides...the OG, Quant and Verbal OG's...

I don't even know where to begin..or how to find my weaknesses...can anyone help?

[wawatan]

hi rosh26,
your verbal score looks relatively low (v 23)....i got a v of 32 but i guessed on the answers for reading comp (bad idea). the first time i took the gmat i scored a v 36 by answering all the questions to reading comp to the best of my ability. i really suggest you to study and take the test again. this is very unusual that the gmat would give you two hard science passages. in both my real gmat exams, i've never gotten any science passages even though my score was pretty high on the first try. you just had really bad luck. i'm sorry i'm definetly sure you can improve.

[mbadrew]

I can recommend reading science passages at sciam.com
Also ready the opinion editorials in nytimes.com, jureselampost.com washingtonpost.com etc. Read intelligent literature related to science, finance, biotechnology, health care etc.; even if you don't like these subjects. Spend about 30 minutes daily reading passages from the above mentioned sources. Regarding quant, I'd say, keep working on you speed and timing, bearing in mind that accuracy is more important.

Give yourself 90 days and re-test.

Goodluck
D

[anwarma]

amsci.com

Is it a typo, the domain is for sale.

Let us know!

[mlane25269]

Hi rosh26,

Sorry to hear about your low score. It sounds to me like nerves and a the panicky mentality got the best of you. How long have you been studying? Did u take a lot of practice tests to get a feel for time management before you took the real deal? I take either one of the GMATprep tests from mba.com at least once a week to get myself conditioned for timing myself on each question.

[mbadrew]

amsci.com

Is it a typo, the domain is for sale.

Let us know!

Sorry about the typo. Its sciam.com
Scientific American magazine

thanks
D