Help Needed ASAP

[bhasenkamp]

Hi All,

I took my first GMAT yesterday and didn't get the score that I had wanted. I took five separate practice tests at different intervals over the past 2 weeks and scored the following: 640, 640, 660, 680, and 670.

My actual score yesterday was lower than all five practice tests so needless to say it was a pretty disappointing day. I really need to improved my score by at least 50 points from my test day score so I was contemplating purchasing the GMAT course (previously just bought the study guides). Is this a worthwhile purchase or will it typically be review?

Please let me what you would advise and if there is any additional information that you need to advise me on this situation.

Thanks in advance from one very frustrated GMAT test taker.

[StaceyKoprince]

I need to get some additional information from you in order to advise you, but I can tell you one thing: if you took 5 practice tests in the last 2 weeks, you likely tired yourself out before test day. Taking a test like the GMAT is akin to running a marathon - you'd never run 5 practice marathons in the 2 weeks beforehand, right?

What did you actually get on the real test? What were the Q and V breakdowns and how did they compare to the breakdowns on your practice tests?

Did you take your practice tests under 100% official conditions? Did you do *anything* that could have given you an advantage on the practice tests - and that might have inflated your practice test scores? For example, did you skip (or not try as hard on) the essay and IR sections? That would have made the test shorter and it would've been a lot less mentally fatiguing to do the Q and V sections.

What kinds of timing issues do you have? If you tell me you don't have any, I'll tell you that you're wrong. :) We all have timing issues - it's just a matter of what they are and how serious they are.

Use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Then come back here and tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. We'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

We'll use all of this to figure out next steps!