I destroyed Quant but Verbal Destroyed me! Urg Help needed

[synchrodestiny]

Hey

I just took my 1st GMAT. I must say I am far from happy. I scored 690 (Q50 V33) I can not imagine how I scored that low on Verbal. In all my GMAT Prep, PowerPrep tests, I scored 38, 41, 42 types and even on Manhattan Tests,i never scored less than 36.Plus, during the test, Verbal actually went so well that I was apprehensive of Q score and expected a 47-48, since I had guessed on two/ three. Plus, poor time management had me finish the Quant with over 9 min still left, which was nonsensical now that I think about it.

As I completed my test, I was actually more keen on Verbal score as I thought I had done extremely well. I was expecting something to the north of 42. I was shocked when I saw 33 on Verbal. It's like the worst score ever. Please help me navigate through this and tell me what exactly I should do in next 31 days (yes, rescheduling while I submit my earlier GRE score of 326 to admission offices and ask for permission to submit a GMAT later).

My target is Q50 and V42. I can do it. I just need t know how. I have been following Manhattan, GMATPrepNow and have tons of materials from various sources.Someone please help me. I need a 720+ score on GMAT. Plz Note: with TOEFL 114 and IELTS 8.5, I do have a good grounding in english. I need to mold it to the tune of GMAT. I have never erred at SC, I am not sure how I got 33 despite my enjoying the test so much that at one point I was wondering if I will find any question challenging enuff! Crazy me.

Thanks..in distress

Synchro

[[email protected]]

Hi Synchro,

First off, a 690/Q50 is a great performance (it's just shy of the 90th percentile overall), so you've done really well. Based on what you've described, you could very well score higher, but the question is if it's even necessary to retest. What schools are you planning to apply to? And when?

As to why your Verbal score dropped, there could be a variety of factors. One of the toughest aspects of the Verbal section is that there is NO way to catch a silly mistake if you make one. If you misread something, misinterpret, don't take notes, miss an important detail, get a little tired, etc. - then you get the question wrong. If those little errors occur too often, then your score will decrease.

When you took your practice CATs, were you taking the ENTIRE CAT every time, including the Essay and IR? Skipping sections usually leads to higher Verbal scores, since you're not facing the fatigue/endurance issues that come with a full Test. Also, did you take any of those CATs more than once? Were any of those higher Verbal scores on CATs that you took a 2nd or 3rd time?

I also noticed that your posts over the last few weeks have been focused more on Quant than on Verbal. Did you ease back on your Verbal studies to put in more time on the Quant? To be clear, taking a CAT is NOT studying. It's possible that you were a little "rusty"/off in the Verbal for that reason.

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

[synchrodestiny]

Hey Rich

Thanks for the mail.

I guess you are right in saying that I was more focused on quant. My preparation for the test started in June end. I was consistent with quant as I knew I was good at it and could score pretty high. So each single mark was very very precious for me. I am a pretty gopod test taker in terms of stamina and yes, 2 out of the 4 CATs I tool before hand were actually complete simulations, including the IR and Essay. In fact in the actual GMAT I was feeling so fresh during verbal from the word GO! As I said, I was expecting a score of above 40 easily. Anyways, the first step to learning from mistakes is to believe there is room for improvement. So yes, I must have screwed up somewhere. My guess is that I need to give verbal a 30 days intensive shot and maintain my quant score and aim for 51. For the alter approach will be to take tests, analyze and improve.

Well, about schools, I have a complicated case. I took GRE last year and score 326 (168Q 158V). I have over 9 years of exp and am aiming at top 20. So yes, 700+ is desirable. I got waitlisted at 2 schools in top 10. Got admit from a top Canadian school but wanted to get into a top US School with better bearings in my niche field - Design Strategy/ Innovation. One of the schools, in its feedback, even said that my GRE score was not a problem but in the last 2 minutes the representative added that I may look at taking GMAT this year in case I decide to reapply, although that was not mentioned in the annotated notes from the interviewer/ admissions team, she quoted. Now this was mid June and I started off on full throttle. Actually I have been involved in launch my 3rd start-up this year and lots of other interesting things I can quote to the admissions for reapplication, but I really wanted a score that was an improvement over the GRE 326. So here is what I am gonna do. I need your honest opinion Rich.

I am applying to Round 1 of these colleges with GRE 326 again and writing to Admissions if I could append the score later. I am not one of those who ever give up Rich. I actually am taking another shot at GRE next Saturday. GMAT date taken -5th October. I am flying to US on 6th, for applicant initiated interviews. I have to make this happen. Do you think writing to admissions will be the right approach. I will apply in Round 1, have my applications ready. At the most they will shift me to Round 2.

Thanks and please opine. Means a lot to me. It sets an agenda for me to work on.

Synchro

[[email protected]]

Hi Synchro,

Since these are primarily Admissions questions, you'd probably be better served speaking with an Admissions Expert. I can offer some perspective on your situation though.

First off, both your GRE and GMAT scores make you a competitive applicant. While higher scores might increase your chances a little bit, the application process involves considerably more than just a Test Score.

Second, and ultimately the more important of the points, is that you have written evidence that your GRE score was NOT the issue. This means that something else was "off" in your application. Business Schools do NOT waste time interviewing an applicant who they are not interested in. You had a strong enough application that the school WAS interested, but you didn't get the invite. This leads to one of two possibilities:

1) When handing out the available "spots", the Schools thought that you were good, but the other applicants who interviewed were just better. That's certainly possible given the "math" behind the application process. Far more people are rejected than accepted and Business Schools sometimes have to make tough choices when a great pool of applicants shows up.

2) During the interview, you screwed up somehow. Maybe you said the wrong thing or presented yourself incorrectly. Interviewers rarely let on during an interview that an applicant has "made a mistake", so you would have left the interview thinking that everything went great.

With your scores and application history, I would guess that you'd be a good applicant to any of the schools that you're interested in, but an Application Expert might be able to help you make your overall presentation better. Some interview preparation is probably also in order.

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

[synchrodestiny]

thanks Rich

Yes, this one is turning out to be an admissions forum post, but lemme add in 2 things.
1. The school that gave me feedback said I was amazing in the interview and there is just not any particular feedback that they can give at this pt. in time . To quote verbatim "This is one of the toughest feedback calls I have to make since there is no one thing I can point to", the gracious lady started off with.
2. You will be amazed that alumni of one of the Top 5 schools interviewed me in India and all he asked was Why GRE why not GMAT?, how will you fund it? He knew nothing about the 'niche program' (dual degree) I was applying to. Hence, reapplying this year, I am choosing an on-campus interview coz I had networked with students like crazy. Could not leverage it at all.

That said, Plz advise on Verbal. What could be my approach.

Thanks

Synchro

[[email protected]]

Hi Synchro,

Assuming that your studies, practice CATs, etc. were handled in a realistic fashion, and since you were scoring so well on the Verbal sections of your practice CATs, you have a couple of options as you move forward:

1) Continue using the resources that you already have. You were performing well, so there's a reasonable argument that the tools that you have are enough to help you score at that same level on Test Day. You'll want to take NEW CATs this time though - don't reuse any CAT that you've already taken.

2) Invest in some new Verbal resources as a way to gauge how sharp your Verbal skills still are and to help you improve from this last performance. There are a variety of options.

I suggest that you plan to retest sooner rather than later. As you put some extra work into the Verbal section, make sure to get some reps in on the Quant too (so those skills stay sharp). For RC and CR, proper note-taking is a MUST. It's quite likely that some of your lost points on the Official GMAT were due to a lack of thorough "work" on your part.

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

[synchrodestiny]

Hi Synchro,

2) Invest in some new Verbal resources as a way to gauge how sharp your Verbal skills still are and to help you improve from this last performance. There are a variety of options.

Thanks so much for you suggestions, Rich.

Would you suggest Aristotle Verbal Grail. I have heard a lot about it, esp the SC portion. My best guess is that I need a different approach to Verbal, esp CR and maybe SC Plus regular practice daily. Any other suggestions, given I have 3 weeks with me.

Finally, My GMAT scores (Sept 2014)
Overall 690 = 87%
GMAT Verbal: 33 = 67% - GRE Quant: 50= 88% - Analytical Writing: 5.5= 81%

Thanks

Synchro

[[email protected]]

Hi Synchro,

With your limited timeframe, you need to make some immediate changes to how you approach the Verbal section and then get in enough practice so that those changes "stick." I've sent you a private message with some suggestions.

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