Hi,

I took the GMAT a second time and I’m frustrated by the score I got. I’m hoping you can help me recognize what I’m missing. Despite improving on practice tests and studying an incredible amount, my 2nd score did not improve.

Official GMAT 1: 660 (Q42, V39)
Official GMAT 2: 650 (Q42 V38)

I was disappointed in my Quant score on the first test- It was ~10 percentile lower than any of the practice tests I had taken. I didn’t feel very comfortable during the section and after the test I realized that I made a few silly mistakes. Timing wasn’t a problem but I did identify areas that were generally weak.

Practices Tests prior to Official GMAT 1
MGMAT Practice Test 620 (Q43 V35)
MGMAT Practice Test 700 (Q44 V41)
GMATPrep 620 (Q42 V34)
MGMAT Practice Test 680 (Q44 V44)

The Post-Exam Assessment helped me realize that my verbal score was good for me, but that there was room for improvement in Quant. We set up a plan where I’d concentrate on my weak areas and then re-take the exam once I improved in these areas. My goal was to improve 40 points to get to a score of 700. After spending a solid 2 months (5 and 6 days a week studying) my scores did go up. I was testing in the 79th percentile of quant.

Practices Test prior to Official GMAT 2:
MGMAT Practice Test NA (Q47 NA) Only did quant
MGMAT Practice Test 690 (Q42 V41)

When exam day came around my verbal dropped a little (I sort of expected this might happen) but to my surprise quant was right back to where I started. I’m not really sure what happened. I didn’t have timing issues (I had to guess on some questions to keep pace but I thought they were above of my level). It did take me 5 questions or so to get in the grove- the person next to me was typing and it distracted me for a little while- but I don’t think that accounts for much. In the days since the exam, I’ve been thinking that one of my weaknesses is identifying the problem type. My studying was largely done in groups of similar problems.

Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Jeff

On the last two practice tests you listed, one was a lot higher than the other (and the second one was what you ended up scoring on the real test). If we can figure out the differences there, that might help us to figure out what happened on the real test.

First, just assess what you knew from your experience / memory taking those last 2 practice tests. Next, use the below article to analyze your those tests:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

(Note: do make sure to evaluate the timing. I talk to people all the time who tell me they don't have a timing problem, but when we look at their data, they do. :)

In particular, really look at what was DIFFERENT between those two tests because that will help us to figure out what let you get 47 one time but only 42 the other time - and that should help us to figure out what you need to do to have a better shot of hitting 47 on the real thing.

_________________
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director of Online Community
ManhattanGMAT