Study and Strategy questions relating to the GMAT.
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Cancelled my score on the 2nd attempt

by Guest Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:36 pm

Hello,

I had taken the GMAT earlier and had scored a disappointing 610 (q42, v33). After some analysis, I concluded that I had some trouble with time management and I got stressed out while solving problems in the quantitative section. I was also sure that I could have done better in the verbal section.

Subsequently, a month later, I took the GMAT again and got stressed out again thinking that I made a mistake on the very 2nd question in the quantitative section. I realized that I made a few more mistakes down the line as I saw some extremely simple questions. The verbal section 'felt' great and I had tried hard to regain my composure. At the end of it all, I decided to cancel my score. I really saw no point in ending up within the 600-660 range again.

Now, I am planning to take the GMAT one last time after 4-5 months. I had not worked on solving my time and stress management issues over the last month.

Will a cancelled score be looked down upon? I guess it might depend on the school, but have you come across such cases? I am being a little realistic and my aim isn't to apply to the cream of the crop. But it would surely be nice to apply to the top 40 in north america. What are your thoughts on my 'rough' track record? I'm feeling a little discouraged :( but I know I can do better!!!
JonathanSchneider
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 370
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 3:40 pm
 

by JonathanSchneider Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:33 pm

You probably shouldn't have cancelled your score, not because it will look bad (it won't look that bad), but because you never know what you might have gotten! Unless you have to evacuate the building due to a fire, don't cancel your scores. I've heard of people not cancelling their scores, only because we told them not to, and being surprised to find a 710 there. It could happen. Remember -- the test feels hard for everyone.

But I wouldn't worry too much about that now that it's done. Schools do see that you cancelled a score. BUT, they generally only check this record AFTER they've accepted you (based on your self-reported highest GMAT score). So, it's probably not something the committee would care about very much.

Best thing for you to do now:

1) rehearse problems under timed conditions, in blocks of 10+ at a time, so that you can simulate the exam experience
2) keep a lookout for WHERE you typically make careless errors
3) develop a process to avoid these kinds of mistakes (writing things out carefully, checking your work, moving a little more slowly on computation, etc.)
4) deep breathe! (this last part, stress management, is an under-practice skill, in my opinion)
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by Guest Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:57 pm

Thank you very much Jon. I need to work on those 4 things that you mentioned. And I realize that I need to change the way I study and approach some of the problems.

I have now taken a GMAT date in June. I think that gives me time to work differently and smartly. One of Ron's posts about noting 'takeaways' from each mistake and finding connections between problems also helped me gain new insight and hope. Thanks again, Jon! I gotta seriously give deep breathing a thought...
JonathanSchneider
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 370
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 3:40 pm
 

by JonathanSchneider Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:14 pm

Glad you found Ron's post!

I definitely try to keep an even breath throughout the exam, and I take a few deep breaths whenever I need to get back in the zone. I try to keep decent posture too - small things that help, at least for me.