Retaking the GMAT

[yinkee]

I took the GMAT yesterday and didn't do as well as I believed I would.

Leading up the GMAT, in February, I took an intensive 4 week prep class at my university that covered all aspects of the GMAT and had timed practice for each section [met twice a week for 3 hour classes]. I had planned on taking the exam in March, but had to push the test date back to May in order to accomodate for job interviews.

Leading up the GMAT test date of May 21st, I did problems from the Official Guide, and utilized the Magoosh GMAT resource as well as the Manhattan GMAT books. I watched strategy videos from the Magoosh GMAT site and was improving slowly on the quantitative section.

I also took a series of practice exams:

V: 26 Q: 33 Total score: 490
V: 27 Q: 34 Total score: 510
V:34 Q: 36 Total score: 680

However, on the actual GMAT yesterday, here is how I scored:
V: 32 Q:22 Total score: 470

Actual GMAT day: I felt as if there were many more math problems with diagrams than I had ever dealt with on practice exams and practice problem sets. There were many problems on the math section that I simply didn't know how to approach or had no idea what to do in order to solve the problem. I was pretty confident in the verbal section and felt that it was easier than the practice problem sets that I had done.

I am frustrated that my quantitative score was much lower than all of the practice tests I had taken, by a significant amount. I would like to score a 600. How can I achieve that? How much studying [realistically] would be needed to attain that score? I am moving in August, so I would like to know if it would be a good move to retake the exam in 2 months. Any advice or books or study plans or insight would be much appreciated!

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry you had a rough experience on test day. The good news is that your verbal improvement did hold up on the real test.

I can't tell you how long it will take to reach your goal score. It's possible that 2 months will be enough, but you might need more time - you'll just have to start hammering away and see how things go. You don't need to know right now exactly when you will take the test, so don't worry about it. You'll take it when you're ready. :)

I'd like to get some more detailed data on your strengths and weaknesses in order to advise you. 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!)

If you haven't taken an MGMAT CAT (or if the one you took was too long ago), then you can take one now. (You should already have access, since you have our books.) Make sure to take it under 100% official conditions, including essay, IR, and length of breaks.

If you took older tests under NON-official conditions, make sure to include that information in your analysis. Skipping an earlier section, taking longer breaks than allowed, etc, can lead to an artificial score increase on the Q or V sections.

Next, pay particular attention to potential timing issues. I talk to people all the time who tell me they don't have timing issues (the usual reason is: I finished the section on time, so my timing is fine). You can finish the section on time and still have severe timing issues. This is also one of the most common causes of score drops. So tell me all about the timing on your practice tests and also anything you remember from the real test. :) (Note: anything you remember about the timing. Don't disclose the content of any actual test questions.)