Massive Jump in Practice Test Score - False Confidence?

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck! (And yes, you're right about review. Take a look again at the two articles way up-thread re: what you're supposed to do for the final 2 weeks.)

[happy student]

Hello Again. So here it is....610 Q43 V31. +30pts +1Q +3V.

I felt great and had no timing issues. I did my thing and I thought I did very well (compared to Take 1). I can get more specific with my feelings but I will leave it at that for now. Over, it was disappointing and not near my goal of mid 600s for this take.

I didn't get the pop I was looking for in verbal. I thought I was dealing with a fluke after Take #1 and now I am dealing with something else. I don't want to run out of rational thinking regarding GMATs.

The good news is that I went up in score and I don't plan on giving up (so yes, let's go again!). I have no issues with the process and it's become second nature at this point after 5 months of study. I will take a much needed break for 2010 and pick up again in Jan with my goal to re-take in early February.

The bad news is they way I feel considering that I've worked my butt off the last 6 weeks and did everything I was told and more. I even did flashcards on my iPhone every morning on the Subway to work. I attacked my weaknesses, practiced my timing, did practice questions after practice question, made my review plan and followed through on everything. I don't know how many OG questions are left that I haven't done at least once.

So, now what? My best friend and a former student of yours (a GMAT crusher) suggested to attack only 600-700 questions and take the two GMAC practice tests (as he felt they most resembled his true score). I also ponder if I am trailing off at the end of Verbal because of excitement of finishing or something else like a lack of knowledge, but I really have no idea as I believe I kept it together throughout the test.

Stacey, I am a little at a loss. I am down for another go, and possibly another after that pending the gains (if any). I don't know what else to do but to keep practicing an excellence in 600-700 level questions and not give up! Please advise.

Goals:

My #1 is NYU Part Time and if that doesn't happen, I'd also love do any top distant learning program (Indiana/Duke) and forgo the local networking I was hoping to get in NYC - 2nd to an amazing business education. I also am looking at Fordham Part Time (again due to networking). I don't know if Executive is right for me, or if I am able to attend those programs, but I guess I need to research some more and talk to some schools. I am 26 with 5 years experience in personal finance.

Nonetheless, for NYU PT, I would feel best knowing my GMAT score is within their mean 80% range. I shine with my work experience, including a top professional designation, and have above average grades from undergrad. My essays will be nothing short of the best I can give. Overall, I'd like to think I have a shot at all of these programs.

That's it. Again thanks for reading another rant. Happy Holidays! I look forward to heating from you.

[StaceyKoprince]

I agree - the good news is that your score went up. You're going in the right direction - that's the major thing.

You may want to talk to an admissions consultant about your profile in general and what kind of scoring range they think you need to be in to make yourself competitive at the schools you mention. The fact that your GPA is above average for those schools may give you some leeway on the GMAT. (Or maybe not. What do I know? I'm not an admissions consultant. :)

(Oh, and that goes for your other admissions questions as well - talk to an admissions consultant.)

You did see +3 on verbal, so what you've been doing has been working at least somewhat. Possibly you need more of the same in some areas and possibly other areas need to be tweaked. That would be worth exploring some more. Sit down and write down everything you can remember about what felt good and what didn't feel so good on the test, even down to individual questions. (DO NOT post information about the questions online though!!)

If you'd like, share with us what you come up with (without mentioning any details of specific questions) and we'll help you figure out what it means / what to do.

I'm not too concerned about not having a bunch of new questions left. A huge part of getting better is really studying the questions you've already done; that should be your initial focus when you start back in again. Also, your friend's recommendation to concentrate on 600-700 questions... that might be good advice and it might not. It really depends upon your situation. If you've got holes in your foundation in the sub-600 area, for example, then concentrating only on the higher level stuff isn't going to help you plug those holes - and that's a LOT more important than getting all the 600+ Qs right. If you keep getting sub-600s wrong, you simply won't get as many 600+ Qs. Maybe take a look at your most recent MGMAT practice tests to get a sense of how many points you're losing in sub-600 situations, whether due to careless mistakes or a lack of some needed knowledge or process.

Re: the GMATPrep, I agree that that's the best practice test out there to take, but it's not the best practice test from which to study - that's the problem. You get no data (or even explanations!) with which to improve yourself. Maybe do one of each - MGMAT for your first one and GMAC for the last one, one week before.

If you do take any GMAC tests (ever), time yourself per question. Then at least you'll be able to review the timing data yourself!