Advice on retaking GMAT.

[rajeevim]

I took GMAT the second time recently, and made a 630. This was very demoralising, because I got a 630, the first time also. But then, I had'nt done a single practice exam. For the second trial, I put in a lot of time and effort. Did all OG completely, and all 7 practice exams of MGMAT (with scores 660, 660, 680, 680, 690, 700, 720). I also took the 2 exams in GMATPrep (with scores 680 and 690). But the result of the final exam was devastating. I was just not expecting a score of less than 680. The Math part was as expected (85th percentile). But my verbal score was like never before (50 something percentile). Please give me some idea as to how this could happen.
It is very difficult for me to spend time once again for GMAT preparation (with a full time job and being the mother of a 3 yr old). I have around 7 years of work experience in the IT field. I am only looking at getting into one of the top 50 universities. But I have a lot of location constraints. Is it absolutely necessary to retake the GMAT? Any sort of advice would brighten up my day. Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry that this test is making your life frustrating! You're not alone.

First, have you researched the schools to which you want to apply? Your score may be good enough already! Only the very top programs are looking for a 700+ (and even those programs let in plenty of people who score in the high 600s).

Second, can you tell us ANYthing you remember about the differences between your practice tests and your real test, in particular on the verbal section? Did you take your practice test all at once, including the essays, just like you had to take the real test? Did you take them at the same time of day as you took the real test? How were your energy levels during the verbal section of the real test? Did you get up and walk around and eat something on your breaks? How were your nerves - were you noticeably more nervous during the real test?

How was your pacing on the verbal section? Were you significantly behind or ahead on time? Did anything seem unfamiliar or unusual - a lot of question types you didn't recognize, grammar rules you didn't know, hard / confusing passages, whatever? Etc.

Basically, even if you don't think it could possibly have made a difference, tell us everything you can remember about any differences, however slight, on practice tests vs. real tests. We'll do our best to help you figure out what's going on!

[rajeevim]

Thanks a lot for your response.
For the first point, my choice of school selection would be location driven. I am currently in San Diego, so I am thinking of schools in the Southern California region (Irvine - Paul Merage, Marshall, UCLA) My last resort would be University of San Diego (as it is not even a ranked university).

And about the real-test experience, I did not panic and followed my time schedule properly (I usually follow the strategy of doing 12 qns in every 25 mins interval for quant and 14 qns in every 25 mins interval for verbal) I practiced that way and was able to follow the same during the actual test. I am usually tensed up for the quant section, I've judged myself to be better at verbal (may be I was wrong). In the actual test, I got 3 RC passages, all of which were tough and some tough CR qns too....but there was nothing like a question pattern that I had not seen before. I did my best all through and had the faintest idea that I was answering many of them incorrectly!

During my practice tests I did not do the essays along with the quant and verbal sections.
I had done the GMATPrep exams all at once (quant and verbal, not the essays) but the MGMAT ones, I had taken the quant and verbal sections separately (late at night and early in the morning, sort of....I adjust timings so that my son is not around). Whatsoever, I was able to pull through my concentration quite well upto the end in the actual test.
I cannot think of any other difference between the practice tests and the real test.

I also have one more question to ask you. My undergraduate university does not grade on a 4 point scale. It was a 10 point CGPA(cumulative grade point average) system. How will B-schools interpret my GPA?

[rajeevim]

And I did take the breaks during the exam, not the complete 10 mins...but 5 or 6 mins.

I am also getting mentally prepared to retake the exam, if required. But I want to correct whatever went wrong the previous time before I give it another shot. I still have no clue as to what went wrong the previous time!

Does MGMAT have any course package, where I can take tests and get feedback from an instructor? I really don't think I need to go over the classroom sessions at this point. Since my judgement seems to be wrong somewhere, it would be good if I can get an instructor's evaluation.
Your suggestions please...

[mdinerstein]

Hi rajeevim,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been having difficulty with the exam. I know that Stacey, one of our Instructors, has been helping you out, but I just wanted to hop in and offer a Student Services perspective regarding which ManhattanGMAT program would be best.

Does MGMAT have any course package, where I can take tests and get feedback from an instructor? I really don't think I need to go over the classroom sessions at this point. Since my judgement seems to be wrong somewhere, it would be good if I can get an instructor's evaluation.
Your suggestions please...

If you have taken a 9-Session Course or Guided Self-Study with ManhattanGMAT, you are allowed to sign up for a free Post-Exam Assessment which will allow you to receive feedback from one of our Instructors. If you have not taken a course, then what I would recommend is signing up for 2 hours of tutoring with us so an Instructor can adequately assess your skills. For an assessment, the private tutoring option is definitely the way to go.

As for your other question:

Thanks a lot for your response.
I also have one more question to ask you. My undergraduate university does not grade on a 4 point scale. It was a 10 point CGPA(cumulative grade point average) system. How will B-schools interpret my GPA?

I would recommend that you post this in the Ask an Admissions Consultant part of our forums, since they would have the most knowledge pertaining to this topic.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
212-721-7400
800-576-4628

[rajeevim]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have not signed up for any MGMAT course. I've just purchased the practice exams and the challenge problems set. I'll sign up for the 2 hour tuition and see how it goes.
Thanks once again.

[StaceyKoprince]

One major problem I saw from your post: you didn't take the essays, and you often split the math and verbal into different sittings.

That's like preparing to run a marathon but only practicing to be able to run 2/3, or even only 1/3, of the total length. That last third is going to kill you.

Because you weren't doing the essays, your scores were inflated on your practice tests. Anybody, at any level, is going to do better on the multiple choice if they don't have to spend an hour writing essays first.

From now on, you must take COMPLETE tests, including the essays. You may have thought you were fine on the real thing, but your energy levels were not what you were used to by the time you got to the verbal section, and it cost you big time. Your brain has to be trained to be aware and alert throughout the FULL length of the test!

[rajeevim]

I never thought that my test-taking schedule would affect me this much.
Thanks for your inputs, I'll work towards correcting my problem.

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck!

[SK81]

Hello,

I had purchased the 6 online pratice tests from Manhattan GMAT - and used those to prepare and practice along with the official guides. I did take a couple of exams completely in one sitting (including essays) but some for some tests I took the math and verbal sections separately and at different times. I scored around 660-670 in the complete exams that I took, and around 700-730 in the exams I took in separate sections.

I took the GMAT today (July 19) and scored a 660, which I am disappointed with. I am targeting the top 10 b-schools and want to achieve the highest 700+ score that I possibly can.

I am planning to re-take the exam end of August or beginning of September. I am contemplating buying the 8 books from MGMAT since I already have the official guides and the six online pratice tests from MGMAT.

My questions to you are:
(1) How much time sould I allow myself to study the 8 books before re-taking the exam?
(2) Most schools of my choice have their round 1 application deadline in the first week of October. If I re-take my GMAT on Aug 30 or Sept 2nd, and focus on my essay/appication preparation for 4 weeks for 5 business schools - do you hhtink that will be sifficient?

Please advise. Thanks a lot.

[mdinerstein]

Hi SK81,

I think the general plan you laid out is solid. Purchasing the books now and beginning to study the content on the exam as opposed to simply taking practice exams to measure your ability is the right choice. The length of time it will take to bump your score up past the 700 level is an entirely different matter. I think that it would be a mistake if I told you that it could take 2 months to get your score to where you want because it is different for everybody. I think that if you sit down and really work at the Strategy Guides, you can make significant progress. I also believe that you need to not only answer practice questions out of the OGs, but you need to analyze your work - why did you answer a question in a particular way and how can you prevent mistakes from occurring in the future? Completing a question and checking the answer in the back is not enough.

You should also get started on your applications a bit earlier than a month away so that you can present the best image of your candidacy on paper. Keep in mind, too, that you can delay until the second round if you are not ready - the acceptance rates do not significantly differ from both rounds.

Stacey, any other advice?

Best,

Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
800-576-4628
212-721-7400

[StaceyKoprince]

I agree with Mike. Generally, applications take a LOT of time, so start doing those even while you're still studying for the test - they can be a mental "break" when you're getting a little burned out studying.

It's far better to deliver the BEST application you can than to deliver a pretty good application in the first round. So if you need to delay to second round in order to make sure your app is really the best it can be, then delay.

It will be ambitious to get what you need out of all 8 books in only 5 weeks - there's a LOT of material. At the same time, you're already at 660, so you don't have too far to go. If you do want to take it in 5 or 6 weeks, make sure you're being smart about how you study - focusing on mid-level questions in your weaker areas, higher level questions in your stronger areas, cross-referencing those with the topics that tend to be most frequently tests (obviously don't spend much time on things that aren't as common!), etc.

Hopefully, you've also learned this from your first experience: take FULL tests under exact test conditions - essays, 10 min breaks between sections, don't use that pause button, etc. If you take tests under non-normal conditions (skip the essays, do the sections separately), your score will be artificially inflated - and that's not very useful data, is it?

[SK81]

Mike & Stacey,

Thanks a lot for your responses. They are very helpful.

Since I am an international student and will be applying for scholarships/financial aid - some schools may require me to apply by the first round. I have to double check.

Thanks a lot.

[DGB3]

Hello,

I took the test for the first time last Friday and got a 700 (49Q / 35V). While 700 was the end goal all along, I was honestly disappointed as I'd been in the 730 range on the practice tests, and around the 40-42 range on verbal. I'm targeting the top tier schools (HBS, Wharton, GSB, Kellogg, Sloan), do you think it would be worthwhile to put in the extra month of prep to take it again towards the end of August?

I have 3+ years work experience after graduating from a top 25 undergrad. I think my experience will be viewed on the strong side, and should have very good recommendations. Overall, I think I should be a competitive applicant for some or most of those schools. However, I don't want a subpar GMAT score to be the only thing holding me back.

Is it worth it to take it again?

Any advice you could provide would be helpful.

Thanks.

[mdinerstein]

HI DGB3,

A 700 is a great score! This places you in the 90th percentile of test-takers and, when combined with your work experience, should be good enough to get your application considered seriously by Admissions Officers. With that said, the ONLY circumstance under which you should re-take the exam is if your verbal score is significantly below the 80th percentile. I have heard from Admissions Consultants that schools look for 80th percentile proficiency in both sections in order to ensure a balanced candidate. However, I do know that some people would disagree with this statement. Stacey informed me yesterday that one Admissions Officer frowned upon an applicant taking the GMAT again after receiving a 700. To this Officer, it showed that the candidate did not know how to prioritize properly.

So, you see, it's quite the mixed bag. Personally, my gut tells me that you should be good to go from here on out. Regardless, a 700 is a great score and you should be proud of your achievement! It sets you up quite nicely for admission into top business school programs.

Best,

Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
800-576-4628
212-721-7400