Bad performance on GMAT test day despite doing well in MGMAT

[anirudhdatta]

Hi,

I was extremely disappointed after seeing by GMAT test score - 610 (48 Q, 25 V), especially after performing reasonably well in the last three MGMAT practice tests, the scores of which are as follows:-
MGMAT 6 - 670(Q-47, V-34),
MGMAT 5 - 660(Q-46, V-33) and likewise.
I practiced all the six tests (barring one) in actual simulated conditions, taking only the 8 min breaks in b/w. I also gave all the AWAs for each of the MGMAT tests.

On the GMAT test day, especially after completing the Quant section,during the 8 min break, I was slightly disappointed. I felt that since I had practiced tougher math questions on MGMAT, I should have done better. I returned to give my Verbal Section test. As i Was going through the questions and by the time I completed the Verbal sections, I felt that my verbal was turning out to be better than what i was expecting. I was sure that Verbal would help me score 700+ minimum (the score I was aiming for). However, I was shocked to death when I saw that I had under-performed not in Quant but in verbal!

i am still not able to come to terms with this result. My queries are as follows : -
1. When should/shall i take my next GMAT?
2. Where would i have gone so wrong that i performed not badly but miserably in Verbal?
3. I am grateful to the MGMAT tests. perhaps if it weren't for them, I may have ended up with an even worse score. Does my 600 Gmat score mean that 700+ score is off limits?
4. Hypothetically speaking, if i were to perform similarly again in Quant in my next GMAT (i.e. a 48 odd score), how much should i score in Verbal so that (keeping my 48 Q score Constant) I would end up with a 700+ odd score?
5. I am severely demoralized, battered and still shell-shocked. Please care to give me sound advice so that i can make a leap from a 600 to a 700 score.

I am grateful to Manhattan GMAT for its help so far.

Thanks

Anirudh.

[StaceyKoprince]

I'm sorry you had a rough test day.

It's important for us to try to figure out what went wrong so that we know what to do going forward.

Take a look at this article, as it may help you to try to figure that out:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ent-wrong/

Also, look at this article; did you feel any of this during test day?
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... you-crazy/

You can also analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s) using the below article. I know you scored better on those tests, but the analysis may still give us some ideas about what might have happened, particularly with respect to timing:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

When we have a good hypothesis about what happened, that will tell us what you need to do going forward and give us an idea about timeframe (when you might be ready to take the test again).

No, your first performance does not mean that you cannot get to 700+. Not everyone scores that well (by definition, only 10% of test takers reach 700+), but some people have started where you are and still reached 700.

If quant stays at 48, you'd likely need to score around 40 in verbal to hit 700. That would put your verbal percentile higher than your quant percentile. It's unlikely that you'll raise your weakness above your strength, so you should plan to work on quant as well and try to pick up another couple of points there.

[gp1s]

Can you review my post at :

need-guidance-in-taking-the-decision-to-give-gmat-in-10-days-t15630.html

[StaceyKoprince]

gp1s, please don't post requests in other student's threads. :) We answer all posts in the order received, so we will always get to your post - but you do have to wait until it's your turn. (And I just answered your post - go take a look!)

[gp1s]

my apologies :-(

[StaceyKoprince]

no problem - now you know. :)

[anirudhdatta]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks for your analysis.I found the the articles you have suggested to be helpful. I am trying to come out of the negative mindset that I am in. I am seriously considering retaking the GMAT. By the way, I have just viewed my official GMAT score card. I have got 6.0 / 91% in my AWA. I feel that this score contradicts my Verbal score of 25/35%. Do you come across such cases in which candidates do well in AWA but perform miserably in Verbal? What do you make of my AWA score(6.0) keeping in mind my verbal score? Will it be okay to reset the MGMAT CATS to assess my performance correctly while preparing again for the GMAT?From where can I get fresh CATS?
Would be extremely grateful (i am already), if you could share some more of your thoughts.

Thanks

Anirudh Pulipaka

[StaceyKoprince]

I agree - it's unusual to have an essay score of 6 and a verbal score of 25. What that tells me is that your general knowledge level is much higher than that verbal score, so likely part of the problem has to do with your test-taking ability. One significant source of problems is timing - almost everyone has at least some time management issues, and I talk with students all the time who don't even realize that they have time management problems.

Did you do the analysis using the below article?
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Feel free to share the results of your analysis here. (Note: don't share 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!)

That will also give us more detailed data on your strengths and weaknesses in general, which will help us make a study plan.

Next, did you feel that mental stamina was a possible issue for you?

Finally, it's possible that you are studying in non-efficient / non-productive ways. Take a look at this article:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

Pay particular attention to the "how to study" area. Also, check our blog over the next few days. I just wrote a new SC article that could be very beneficial for you (if SC is a problem area or a potential problem area).

Re: the CATs, yes, you can reset them, but you may see repeated questions. You can still take both GMATPrep and MGMAT CATs with repeats as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats. First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks vaguely familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.

You may also want to wait several weeks before re-taking a test (and don't look at the old CAT questions in that timeframe), in order to forget the questions as much as possible. You should have enough data from your recent CATs to provide with at least 2-3 weeks' worth of study materials!

If you've already used up both MGMAT and GMATPrep and remember too many, then you can also try another test source. I think 800Score and Kaplan generally get the most votes from students (after MGMAT CATs, of course. :)