Disappointment..

[zcdh30]

Took the GMAT on 2/23. Breezed through the AWA and IR sections (I'm sure I got atleast 5/6 on both).
Got to quant and was absolutely crushing it. I feel like I got 9 of the first 10 questions right. Continued to do well even as the questions got harder, then looked up at the clock and saw 12 minutes left while I was only on question 26. I panicked. Guessed on a lot of questions, rushed calculations, and probably missed 7 or 8 of the last 10 questions.
Verbal I completely destroyed, scored 90th percentile.
Final score was a 620...... 36th percentile on quant.... absolutely killed me.

What makes it worse is that on all of my practice tests i was scoring at least 650, but my verbal score was only 34-37 (75th to 80th percentile). On my practice tests I would rush the verbal section because I would just get tired or bored with it. I would always finish with 20-30 minutes to spare. On the GMAT I took my time and scored a 41.... and STILL got a way lower overall score.
At this point I am extremely upset with myself. If I had scored that low on quant because I just didn't get the questions right I would have been fine with it. The fact that losing track of time and spending probably 6 or 7 minutes on 1 or 2 questions killed me is maddening. I knew better, but I just wanted to keep getting those questions right no matter what, cause I was on a roll.
I plan on taking it again as soon as I can and scoring 680+. I will not rest until that day. It is personal now.

[ximon.zhu]

I feel your pain. I got to the test center on time and felt relatively relaxed, channeling my focus towards the matter at hand the entire time.

Got through with IR and AWA pretty easily, took a break. Somehow the clock inside the test room and the clock at the front desk were 2 minutes off...not sure if that's on purpose or what but it def threw me off guard as to how much time i had left. I started the Quant section just 2 minutes behind and threw away the first question just so I could catch up...overall didn't feel like there were a lot of tough questions I couldn't answer but ended up with a 44 on Quant and then 37 on Verbal for a 660 overall.

This is disappointing because the first time I took the test in 2012, I got a a 670 and that was after my first time studying using MGMAT course. This time I took a course again as refresher but waited until 3 months after where I spent that time preparing on my own, then took the test again my 2nd time. Perhaps i'm just not a good self-studyier... but then again, my practice CATs were 650, 650, 660, 700 and then 690. I was hoping to have broken through the barrier at last based on my most recent practice scores, but I refuse to give up and will continue to march on. Keep the faith.

[RonPurewal]

The fact that losing track of time and spending probably 6 or 7 minutes on 1 or 2 questions killed me is maddening. I knew better, but I just wanted to keep getting those questions right no matter what,

some people have to crash and burn, at least once, before this lesson will stick.
hopefully it will stick.

I will not rest until that day. It is personal now.

if "i will not rest..." is a figurative statement (= it's just supposed to mean "i'm extra committed now"), then, ok.
on the other hand, if "i will not rest..." actually means that you intend to take zero days off between now and then, then, oh heck no.

in fact, since (apparently) timing is about 99.9999% of your problem, you really don't have to do much - if any - studying between now and your next test administration.
you may want to throw down a few practice tests, as pure timing practice, but the last thing you want to do is fatigue your brain.

[RonPurewal]

Somehow the clock inside the test room and the clock at the front desk were 2 minutes off...not sure if that's on purpose or what but it def threw me off guard as to how much time i had left.

hm?

there's an on-screen timer built into the testing software. why bother with any other clock?

next time, just use the only clock that actually matters, i.e., the one that's on the test.

[shanon100]

Hello,

Well today was my first attempt writing the GMAT. What a disappointment. I got 550 ( Q43 -V23) .
I feel terrible about it, since I was getting on my practice an average on 650.
I cannot really explain the reasons of my low score. I think the QUant section is easier than the MGMAT, but the verbal section is a lot way harder.
With that score and so little time in front of me, I already giving up on applying for 2013 MBA.

Any cheer up would be welcomed....
What a day !

[RonPurewal]

With that score and so little time in front of me, I already giving up on applying for 2013 MBA.

one additional year shouldn't really impact your chances of getting into these schools (provided, of course, that you spend that year doing things that are worth writing about on an application).

[shreerajp99]

Agree with ur advice on sticking to official materials for verbal.What would u then suggest for quant? Do u think official materials arent good enough? How would u rate gmat paper tests.

Thanks,
Shreeraj

[bwh3655]

Hello,

Well today was my first attempt writing the GMAT. What a disappointment. I got 550 ( Q43 -V23) .
I feel terrible about it, since I was getting on my practice an average on 650.
I cannot really explain the reasons of my low score. I think the QUant section is easier than the MGMAT, but the verbal section is a lot way harder.
With that score and so little time in front of me, I already giving up on applying for 2013 MBA.

Any cheer up would be welcomed....
What a day !

Well, it looks very clear where your main weaknesses are. Work on those and take it again. If it makes a difference, most schools do not require you to enter your GMAT score to submit your application. When I was applying to one of my schools this past February I was also in the process of retaking my GMAT, so I submitted my old score but told them I was retaking it, and it worked out fine.

Also something for you to consider....most schools have application deadlines but will absolutely accept your application at any time. Just call and talk to them about it. Since it's April, almost all mba programs are doing rolling admissions, meaning you'll get wait-listed but it's worth a shot if you really want to start your program this year. Worst case scenario is you don't get in but can enter the pool again next year as a re-applicant, which will improve your chances of acceptance. Best of luck and keep your head up. I had a similar experience during my first exam and the best thing you can do is not let it get you down.