Retaking the GMAT

[pr]

Hi,

I went through the self-guided course with MGMAT and recently took the GMAT. Unfortunately, I scored below my target of 720. What do you suggest as far as timeline to retake GMAT again? I have heard everything from take it immediately before you forget everything to take time off and reattack when you are fresh. I posted all my exams below.

MGMAT #1 Q40, V38 650 12/13
#2 Q44, V36 660 1/14
#3 Q41, V38 650 3/14

GMAT PREP #1 Q45, V37 670 3/14
#2 Q47, V39 700 4/14

GMAT Q46, V37 680 4/14


My gut feeling is I need to take time and possible tutoring because none of my practice scores are within range of 720.

Thanks

[StaceyKoprince]

I know you wanted a 720, but you still scored a 680 - that's a great score. Congratulations and don't forget to feel very good that you've got a 680 on record now. That takes a lot of the pressure off - it's not as though you scored 600. :)

If you are feeling burned out, then by all means take 1-3 weeks off before you dive in again. Just make sure you don't procrastinate and take 6 months off.

It looks like your real test scores were pretty close to your last couple of practice tests so, yes, before you take it again, you want to make sure that your practice tests are up in the range that you want on the real thing.

Whether you might need to do tutoring is a personal call (it's expensive and I have a conflict of interest in recommending it, since my company offers tutoring services). A tutor is most helpful in two circumstances: (1) you don't have much time, in which case a tutor can help you make gains more quickly than you would on your own, and (2) you find yourself hitting a wall in certain areas and getting stuck, in which case a tutor can help unstick you.

IF you do tutoring, I don't recommend doing fewer than 3 sessions with a tutor - precisely because it's so expensive. The tutor is a doctor to some extent, asking you questions and watching you work in order to learn how to think and to diagnose your weaknesses. The more your tutor works with you, the better he or she will get at figuring out your roadblocks and what to do about them. Doing one session is not much bang for your (expensive) buck.

If you would like, we can dive a bit into your strengths and weaknesses here to help you decide what to do.

First, read these two articles:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -the-gmat/

Then, use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT (this should take you a minimum of 1 hour):
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... ts-part-1/

Figure out your strengths and weaknesses as well as what you think you should do based on that analysis. Then come back here and tell us; 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!)