Retaking the GMAT w/ MGMAT

[adrian.jank]

REPOST FROM PREVIOUS TOPIC:

I took my GMAT today and obviously since I am posting in this forum it didn't go according to plan, frankly it was a disaster. I scored a 590 (33Q, 36V). I'm thinking I had some test anxiety during the quant portion and had timing issues in the verbal.

My Story:
I have been self studying for 3 months previous to this. 2 months ago I actually set my test date and began a rigorous study plan. I followed a 60 day plan provided by Beat the GMAT. This plan included purchasing the MGMAT CR and Sentence Correction books. Before starting I took a GMAT prep test to establish a baseline. I got a 540, which was disappointing because I am aiming to score a 750. I figure being a white male who will be 30 when an adcom reads my application this is the score I need to have a chance at upper level schools. After the first 3 weeks of study a I took a Manhattan GMAT practice test, scored a 600 (42Q 32V) and was satisfied. Progress had been made. 3 weeks later after a verbal focus I scored a 650 (43Q, 36V). I was happy and after review I had left points on the table with careless errors. However, I discounted the score slightly because I hadn't completed the essays. After this second test I was about a month out from the test and at that point I had decided to take a test every week under full conditions.

The third MGMAT practice test I scored a 640(41q 36v) under full conditions, but actually felt good going into my final month because that test was filled with careless mistakes and because of sinus trouble my brain gave out a little over half into the verbal, which at that point I was tracking in the mid 90th percentile then just steadily went down after that. After each test I conducted thorough reviews of my performance in fact my analysis would take 2 4 hour sessions at the library. Needless to say 2 weeks out I scored even worse 610, then on my last practice test I bombed out at a 540.

Test Day:
I calmed my nerves and fear, went in with a full belief that I could conquer the GMAT, then the first quant question came up and I was lost on how to get the correct answer, even though it was in one of my stronger areas. Eliminated and guessed, second questions no clue how to do it, guessed. Tis threw me off my game but i settled myself and went into recovery mode. At the the end of the quant I knew my goal was unattainable at that point, but I went into the verbal knowing that i can get what I want. Of course the first question I get is a sentence correction problem and i waste 3 minutes on the damn thing agonizing over how I started off another section on the wrong foot. The second questions was a ridiculously complicated written CR question (my strong point with og questions) and I was pretty sure I got this wrong and 2 q headline in I am already 2:30 minutes behind time, when you guessed it I get a reading comprehension question!! By this time I was frazzled and had to stop taking the test and focus on moving past my difficulties and refocus n finishing the test. I got through it and tried to catch up as much as edible, but the GMAT seemingly knew where to grow in the reading comp questions at just the right time. I never really recovered, lost more itme and had to rush through the last few questions. I contemplated canceling my scores and was actually surprised I saw a 590 on the screen.

Next Steps:
I'm considering signing up for the MGMAT in person prep course, but I am wondering the value I'll get out of it since I have completed and reviewed 90% of the OG.

What are some of the gains I will get in class as opposed to continuing to study on my own.

Are the benefits as great to people who have already taken the test?

[adrian.jank]

Here is Stacey's Reply:



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Hey, Adrian - I'm sorry you had a rough time on the test. Can you please start your own thread? You can just copy all of this text and paste it into your own new thread. We try to keep people separate so that we can keep your "story" together over time and advise you appropriately - it's too hard when we mix multiple people / stories in the same thread. Thanks!

A couple of quick things though:
- a lot of my students have already taken the real test and studied on their own; there's still a TON to learn from the class
- you may want to ask other students who were in a similar situation and did end up taking a class; don't just take my word for it :)

If you want to dive into a more thorough analysis of strengths and weaknesses here, then use the below article to analyze your most recent MGMAT test and then come back and tell us what you discovered:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

You can include that in your own personal thread / new post. :)

[adrian.jank]

I just booked my class! Excited to start!

Here is a little bit more analysis on my last 4 week experience:

Comfort Level with Quant
I don't think i was fully comfortable with my level of understanding of dissecting quant questions. The comfort Level I had at practice test 3 (MGMAT test 2) was probably at its highest because I was engaged with quant everyday.

Too much emphasis on practice tests:
Taking one every week is great if you know how to analyze it (Which I did) and then apply what you learn over the course of a couple weeks (which I didn't). My approach was try and account for all of my mistakes in one week so i could see another 20-50 point improvement because I had to see continued progress. Progress was measured by how I performed on a practice test rather than fully mastering the content.

Got off my Gameplan:
After my 4th practice test (3rd MGMAT CAT) I noticed i missed most, if not all 700-800 level quant questions. I made the cardinal sin, I believe, of picking up the kaplan 800 book to improve on the more difficult questions so i found myself trying to squeeze this book in around other material. Thus i probably overloaded my brain and shot my confidence at the same time.


If anyone else has taken an MGMAT course AFTER their first attempt I'd love to hear more about your experience. How the class helped you, what changes you made to your study habbits, etc.

Also Since I have already taken a few of the MGMAT CAT's do i need to take a practice exam prior to the first class? If not should i bring my assessment report for all exams?

[StaceyKoprince]

and then apply what you learn over the course of a couple weeks (which I didn't)

Ah, yes. That's a critical part of the practice test continuum. :) If you aren't actually taking the time to get better at a bunch of things you identify as weaknesses, then that test was wasted, and taking yet another test before you've done that just wastes another test.

My approach was try and account for all of my mistakes in one week so i could see another 20-50 point improvement because I had to see continued progress.

And, as you discovered sadly, it doesn't work that way. Very few people see what I call "linear" improvement - that is, steady score improvement over a period of time. We tend to have jumps, because a bunch of things need to come together in order to translate into a significant score improvement - and certain things can kill forward momentum, such as major timing problems.

You don't need to take a CAT prior to your first class (since you've already taken one), but do take CATs 2 and 3 as listed on your syllabus (about halfway through and at the end). You don't need to bring your results with you to class; your teacher can access your results online.

Get to class a little early and chat up your teacher (though be aware that s/he will also be getting everything ready and may need to do some other things while talking to you). That's a good time to introduce yourself, give the teacher a broad overview of your situation. Don't get into too much detail at that point, but explain that you've been studying, took the real test and had a bad experience, etc. - the basics. That will get the teacher oriented to your situation and you can continue to have conversations as the course progresses.

Also, speak up in class! The more you participate, the more the teacher can learn about you, and the better s/he can advise you. Don't worry about having a wrong answer or not wanting to speak up in front of the other students if you're not sure about what you're saying - that's how you learn!