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Low Practice Test Scores

by YipYip » Mon Sep 14, 2015 4:16 am
I'm planning to write the GMAT in around 2 months, which I can extend to 3 months if necessary. I'm currently not working either, so I can spend around 4 or 5 hours a day studying. I took the diagnostic test in the OG and got a very low score. Let's just say it's most probably ~450 ish. (48 Q and 52 V questions asked - only 23 Q and 28 V correct) To be fair I haven't been studying much yet and I've only worked on some basic quants and verbal questions so far. Working on the Manhattan SC book now.

I'm panicking a bit, but I have some good materials with me and I have a lot of time ahead. How would you suggest I structure my studying plan? Since I can afford to invest more hours a day, should I do so and study for like 5 hours a day?

I'm just worried if I'll be able to cross 600.
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by [email protected] » Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:06 am
Hi YipYip,

The Diagnostic Test in the OG isn't really a proper 'match' for what you'll face on the GMAT. For a more accurate 'baseline score', you should plan to take a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections). You can download 2 CATs for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). A FULL CAT takes about 4 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) You mention a concern about scoring above a 600, but is 600 your goal score (or is it something else)?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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by YipYip » Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:46 am
Hey Rich, thanks for the reply! I know just where to begin now. Also, do you recommend taking the CAT before or after some preliminary preparation?

1) Well, I would ideally like to score a much higher score, let's say ~680! However, I would consider 600 the absolute least marks I'd need to score in order to have a competitive application.
2) I'm planning to apply for a few Masters in International Management (MIM) courses in Europe that have their deadlines around the end of January 2016.
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by [email protected] » Mon Sep 14, 2015 4:20 pm
Hi YipYip,

If you'd like to do a bit of studying, to familiarize yourself a bit with the major concepts and question types on the GMAT, then that's fine, but you shouldn't take too long to take that first FULL CAT.

If your application deadlines are not until the end of January, then you really have a good chunk of time that you can devote to your studies, which is good. As such, you shouldn't try to 'rush' through the work to get everything 'done' in 2 months - there's an aspect to scoring at a high level on the GMAT that requires a high level of attention to detail, so the QUALITY of your work will be more important than the quantity of it.

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