GMAT beat me! just 640 after a lot of prep.

[afaque_khan]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a success story after taking the GMAT. Things have not turned out as I had expected but still I felt sharing my experience and have an opinion.

I started studying in September 2012. I knew that I am good in maths so stressed a lot only on English.
I did the official guide 12, and 13. I bought the Master GMAT for Economist and studied almost 100 hours from that. I took a lot of practice tests.
Scores in my tests were as follows.
GMAT test prep 630.
After a lot of prep.
Master GMAT 1 : 680
Master GMAT 2 : 650
Master GMAT 3 : 730

Manhattan GMAT 1 : 660
Manhattan GMAT 2 : 680
Manhattan GMAT 3 : 700
Manhattan GMAT 4 : 680
Manhattan GMAT 5 : 690 (just 5 days before actual test)

Kaplan Fres Test : 760!
GMAT Test Prep 2: 720.
I was getting a consistent score of ( 33 - 37 ) in Verbal and my scores were not reaching 700 because Maths was too tough in theses practice exams and I was scoring just in the range of (45 - 49).

I was confident that i am going to break into the 700s.

Finally, the test day came. I ate a lot of food at 9:30 am in the morning as my test was scheduled in the afternoon at 1:00. I reached the center before time and they proposed that I start the exam right away. I agreed.

It was going well, I was managing my time efficiently and my pacing was ideal.

The sad part starts now..
I could not believe my eyes when I saw the score, a mere 640!
Official score: V25 Q51 Awa: 4.5 IR:7

I cried my eyes out for a day. Then I gathered myself up, and decided off-course to retake the exam.

But, I am not sure what went wrong. I am sure that with so much of prep I did not deserve just 25 in verbal. I know the area to improve, just not sure of how ?

Please help

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Sorry to hear about your test-day experience. Your score is not a reflection of your skills (according to your practice tests).

As you've noted, the Verbal section was your undoing. This is not uncommon. Sometimes a ridiculously long and difficult RC passage can knock you off your game. For example, some esoteric science topic (e.g., string theory) can really kill one's confidence, especially if you've never enjoyed science. In these instances, it's crucial that you engage 100% in the passage. Rather than approach a new passage with dread ("yeesh, this is going to be a killer"), try to feign interest ("Excellent! This passage is about protozoa!!"). The greater your engagement, the better your results. You'll find additional tips to help you better engage with the passage in this free video: https://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat- ... on?id=1123

I have a feeling that you were somewhat unlucky on test day, and if you wrote the test today, your score would be higher. So, try to put all of this behind you, schedule another test, and keep doing what you've been doing. It sounds like you're on the right track.

Cheers,
Brent

[[email protected]]

Hi afaque_khan,

Could you answer a couple of quick questions:

1) When you took those practice CATs, did you ever skip any of the sections (eg you skipped the essay because you just wanted to do the Quant and Verbal sections)?

2) What time of day did you typically take your CATs?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[afaque_khan]

Hi Rich,

Sometimes yes I skipped the first two sections.
But, I was aware that I need to build my stamina and most of the time I practiced the 4 hour dreaded exam.

I took those exams not exactly at the same time as that of the actual test but close enough.
The actual test was scheduled at around 1:00, and I used to take the tests at around 3:00 on Sundays.
To simulate the Saturday, I had even taken a day off before the actual test...

Cheers,

Afaque

[sudsa]

hi afaque,

Looks like we're of the same kind

I took about 6 different CATs with scores of 690, 660, 690, 710,730 and 720 in that order. Skipped the essay, took the IR in each case.
I too am mediocre in verbal. I got a low of 28 and a high of 38 in these tests. I solved the entire verbal part of OG 13 to make up for it.

And just like you did, i too got a score of 640 in the actual test I eventually figured out I had a problem with IR. Especially with the part with the 3 tabs in it. That one question messed with my head and my concentration crumbled. I somehow managed through Quants and took a break after that. When I returned after my break for Verbal, I looked something like this: :

I finished the test and got 640. At first I was shocked, sad and then just irritated. Right now, I'm contemplating if i should apply to Univs with this score (need loads of help with that) or if I should retake the GMAT.

[[email protected]]

Hi afaque_khan,

As you continue to study, here are some things to keep in mind:

1) You MUST take the entire CAT, otherwise you won't experience the "endurance issue" that everyone has to face on the actual GMAT. Every time you skipped the essay portion (or any portion, for that matter), your score was likely "inflated" (especially during the Verbal section), so the result wasn't realistic.

2) Be mindful about consistency and translating the things that you do in practice to Test Day. Taking the GMAT at a different time of day can throw of your performance. Sometimes little changes (different day/time, different breakfast, different amount of sleep, etc.) can have big repercussions on Test Day.

3) Most Test Takers perform better at an earlier time of day. An afternoon Test start can sometimes be problematic.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[afaque_khan]

Thank you for the important points to keep in mind.

I actually agree a lot with the 3rd point. Taking the test in the afternoon was not the best decision I have ever made.

Now, after a lot of thinking I feel that I had to face the stress through out the day. I woke up at 8:00, took a train to arrive to the test center, and by the time the verbal part came, it was almost 4:00 in the afternoon.

I am sure that at least I won't take it in the morning again.

Afaque

Hi afaque_khan,

As you continue to study, here are some things to keep in mind:

1) You MUST take the entire CAT, otherwise you won't experience the "endurance issue" that everyone has to face on the actual GMAT. Every time you skipped the essay portion (or any portion, for that matter), your score was likely "inflated" (especially during the Verbal section), so the result wasn't realistic.

2) Be mindful about consistency and translating the things that you do in practice to Test Day. Taking the GMAT at a different time of day can throw of your performance. Sometimes little changes (different day/time, different breakfast, different amount of sleep, etc.) can have big repercussions on Test Day.

3) Most Test Takers perform better at an earlier time of day. An afternoon Test start can sometimes be problematic.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[afaque_khan]

Thank you for the important points to keep in mind.

I actually agree a lot with the 3rd point. Taking the test in the afternoon was not the best decision I have ever made.

Now, after a lot of thinking I feel that I had to face the stress through out the day. I woke up at 8:00, took a train to arrive to the test center, and by the time the verbal part came, it was almost 4:00 in the afternoon.

I am sure that at least I won't take it in the morning again.

Afaque

Hi afaque_khan,

As you continue to study, here are some things to keep in mind:

1) You MUST take the entire CAT, otherwise you won't experience the "endurance issue" that everyone has to face on the actual GMAT. Every time you skipped the essay portion (or any portion, for that matter), your score was likely "inflated" (especially during the Verbal section), so the result wasn't realistic.

2) Be mindful about consistency and translating the things that you do in practice to Test Day. Taking the GMAT at a different time of day can throw of your performance. Sometimes little changes (different day/time, different breakfast, different amount of sleep, etc.) can have big repercussions on Test Day.

3) Most Test Takers perform better at an earlier time of day. An afternoon Test start can sometimes be problematic.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

[afaque_khan]

Hello everybody,

Thanks a lot.

After experiencing the shock of my life.
After another month of practice and hard work.
After staying focused and thinking just about GMAT
.
.
.
etc

I got the 700 I wanted so bad. I know i could have done even better. But maybe this is best performance under enormous pressure the exam exerts.
Anyways, I set my mind free. I don't have to think about it anymore.

Afaque.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Hello everybody,

Thanks a lot.

After experiencing the shock of my life.
After another month of practice and hard work.
After staying focused and thinking just about GMAT
.
.
.
etc

I got the 700 I wanted so bad. I know i could have done even better. But maybe this is best performance under enormous pressure the exam exerts.
Anyways, I set my mind free. I don't have to think about it anymore.

Afaque.

Congratulations, Afaque!

Cheers,
Brent

[ani781]

That's so inspiring Ashfaque. What difference you found this time ... Pls suggest some tips and experience about the exam when taken the second time and also how to stay focused. Do you work full time ? How did you manage all your hats. But again many many Congrats ... Keep flagging and scaling heights.