I am very concerned now that I have taken the GMAT 3 times!

[anujkumar_ladha]

Hi,

I have taken the GMAT 3 times previously and in spite of so much hard work, dedication, discipline, and sincerity, I have not been able to pull it off and get the score I am targeting: 670. I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP until I get near this score, even a 630 or 640 is fine with me. I am also a student of some mild learning difficulties which requires me to make extra effort than the average individual to answer certain questions and process information required to answer such questions.

Here is my history:

May 2005 - 410 (took it only to apply for a 5th year MBA program option at my undergraduate school, which I decided to give up to work instead for 3-5 years first)
November 2008 - 440
June 2, 2009 - 520

I have taken two prior courses with Princeton Review and Kaplan. I took a Kaplan course from March 7 to May 2 where I scored the following while self studying diligently almost every day and continually focusing on areas of weakness such as critical reasoning.

Diagonostic Paper & Pencil = 480 (start of course on 3/7/09)
CAT 1 550
CAT 2 520
CAT 3 550 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 4 540 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 5 620 (Verbal percentile 48)
CAT 6 560 (Verbal percentile 48)
Ultimate Practice Test 620 (taken on 5/8) = 70% quant and 43% verbal
CAT 7 540
CAT 8 630 (Verbal percentile 97 and Math percentile 46)

GMAT Prep1 CAT 360
GMAT Prep2 CAT 540 (Math 41 & Verbal 28)

Actual exam 520 (taken on 6/2)

550, 520, 550, 540, 620, 550, 620 (Ultimate Practice Test at actual testing center), 550, then a 630 in 9 practice tests, respectively while studying diligently almost everyday and focusing on areas of weakness such as critical reasoning. On one of the MBA.com tests prior to taking the exam, I scored a 540 (Math 41 and Verbal 23).

I would really appreciate some help and encouragement before I continue building anxiety into my life with this test! I do not want to start thinking I can't get in anywhere simply because of test results! I deserve better than a 520 (Verbal 28, Math 33) and I know I could have done much better than this score when I took the test on June 2. If I was able to surpass college, why can't I get into graduate school? Apart from the GMAT, I have a 3.71 GPA from college (double major), just under 3 years of work experience, and actively involved in Toastmasters International, a public speaking and leadership organization where I am now also the new Treasurer of my Toastmasters club at my company (State Street Corporation). I am looking to go to graduate school in fall 2010 and so that's why I started planning this whole GMAT preparation since September 2008! It's been almost a year now and still stuck with the GMAT.

Please please HELP me. The last thing I want to do is call business schools I am interested in and ask them about this. The schools I am looking to go to take the highest scores. Since the last test on June 2, I took a week off studying, then started slowly with Manhattan GMAT strategy guides on areas of weakness and answered questions from 12th edition OG. I am also retaking a Kaplan course and will be getting some private tutoring. I PLAN to re-take the exam on September 5 or September 12. Hopefully, I will be able to get at least a 630 or 640. Do not want this to be end of the world for me.

AGAIN, THANKS and would be happy to speak to someone over phone as well to relieve anxiety/stress.

THANKS,
Anuj

[mbamission]

Anuj....I hope that you are able to find some peace. Most of all, I hope you find the strength to conquer the GMAT. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things with the preparation. Perhaps you can find a friend or study partner to help you stay motivated. If you reach a point where you cannot improve, then all you can do is strive to make the other aspects of your application as strong as possible. The GMAT is one aspect of a holistic evaluation process...and you can use the optional essay to discuss your learning disabilities and its impact on standardized tests.

Best of luck with your GMAT preparation!

Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[anujkumar_ladha]

Hi. Thanks for your response. I do have a question of concern. Now that I have taken the exam 3 times, is this going to be looked at negatively? I mean I have to give myself a little encouragement that I bumped up from a 440 to 520 and the very first time I took the exam was a little over 4 years ago.

Assuming I scored, say, a 650 on the next re-take in September, how will the admissions committee view three previous low scores? I may not be the best standardized test taker out there, but I have really really been trying to develop a personalized strategy based on my weaknesses and strengths to ace the exam. I may even push out plans to take the exam in mid-september to end of september.

Lastly, do you guys help in making other aspects of the application strong, such as essays and resume?

Thanks

[perduepatel]

Mr. Anuj, the GMAT is just an exam and does not reflect anything more than a score on paper and your ability to conquer that specific exam. Do not be discouraged.
Also, just because you have performed well in school via a high GPA does not mean you will perform well on the GMAT.

I personally am not a good stand test taker:
-I had to take the SAT 4 times to score a 1200 (I remember my first score did not even break 1000).
-Also I had to take the GMAT 3 times to score a 680: 570 - 8/2005; 530 - 5/2009; 680 7/2009.

The bottom line is this test can be conquered as I have done so.
I took Manhattan GMAT course started in Feb of 2009. I felt like their materials were solid; however, most of the credit I give is to myself for work and perseverance. In my first sitting, I felt like I was doing well through the math section and then in the middle I got stuck on some questions, which threw off my time. I honestly felt like I guessed on the 2nd half of the math. I tried to shake this off for my verbal however ended up letting section 1 bother me too much. All in all, I choked, therefore I consider my true improvement from a 570 to a 680.

On the second time, I refocused how I studied. One of the most important things is that you must go over exams thoroughly, which is what I didn’t do the first time. The first time I would take an exam and semi-look over the wrong answers. I highly suggest to look at every single question and explanation on the practice exams. After doing this same process on 12 practice exams (6 of which were repeated from the 1st time I took the exam) I started to recognize patterns. I also started to make note cards for problems which took too long or problems I got wrong. I was a big believer in that you can’t find patterns in the verbal section as easy as the math section. This is not true, if you read the questions and answers to the critical reasoning or sentence corrections you will know exactly what the question is asking and where do look.

I would also suggest getting the official guide books. In conjunction to completing all the problems, make sure you understand them.

For the 2 free exams provided by the GMAC (I did 2 of these twice) look up the solutions on MGMAT’s forums.

I think if you take this approach you will learn more and start to recognize patterns.

Also, as corny as it sounds, learn to be more confident. I hated this exam, but if you use the Obama slogan "Yes We Ccan" you will succeed and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Taking a bunch of exams will help you manage your time, but it won’t help you learn anything if you don’t go over it properly. I think if someone pulled a question that I got wrong on a previous exam 1 month ago, I would be able to get it right this time.

Quality > Quantity

[mbamission]

Hi. Thanks for your response. I do have a question of concern. Now that I have taken the exam 3 times, is this going to be looked at negatively? I mean I have to give myself a little encouragement that I bumped up from a 440 to 520 and the very first time I took the exam was a little over 4 years ago.

Assuming I scored, say, a 650 on the next re-take in September, how will the admissions committee view three previous low scores? I may not be the best standardized test taker out there, but I have really really been trying to develop a personalized strategy based on my weaknesses and strengths to ace the exam. I may even push out plans to take the exam in mid-september to end of september.

Lastly, do you guys help in making other aspects of the application strong, such as essays and resume?

Thanks

The schools will not view your multiple attempts negatively. In fact, they will most likely view a higher score in a positive light. I think 4 attempts is reasonable, but at some point, you need to focus on your application!

Yes, we do also work with clients on the application process. You can check out our website for future details on our services.

Best of luck!

Monica Okrah
MBA Mission
646-485-8844
Website: www.mbamission.com
Blog: www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[anujkumar_ladha]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to retake my exam on Saturday, October 24 if not, Saturday, October 17. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get a 600 on a new practice exam. I have now taken 4 Manhattan GMAT practice exams and have scored the following in order: 530, 580, 560 & 530. I have been putting a lot of effort, dedication, and persistence to studying and it seems like I am just not able to get a good score in the 600's. The root problem is strategy - I am trying to answer questions with short cut, efficient strategies in the least amount of time. I am trying so hard and I feel something is going wrong. Could someone please give advice?

Second, I am waiting to hear back from GMAC regarding my request for extended time accomodations. They are now 1 week late in getting back to me and I was told I should hear back this week. I can't think right now that I will definitely get extended time and regardless if it is granted or rejected again, I am not going to change my study habits. I have been diligently getting up at 5am on a weekly basis on the weekdays since July now to do studying. Just trying to maximize my study time because I should really be nailing my next GMAT attempt and not thinking about taking it again. My target goal is a 660. If I do not get at least a 640, I am quitting applying to business school for the fall of 2010 and will instead wait another year and apply for the fall of 2011. If anyone has any advice on strategies, please let me know.

I have been working with a private tutor from Kaplan after I finished a retake course with Kaplan. He too told me it is "strategy, strategy" that is the problem here. I know how to do the problems but only 1.5 to 2 minutes should be spent answering each question on the GMAT!

Thanks. I am trying not to stress too much about this. I recently attended a World MBA Tour fair in boston where I got to meet with admission officers of schools I am interested in. I had to tell them about my extenuating circumstance and they clearly understood my situation. At this point, I can't worry about multiple attempts, but at least recognize the fact that I am working towards an important and worthy goal.

Thanks,
Anuj

[dogbertrulez]

Hi Anuj,

Try the following strategy out - atleast for Quant

Dont write any calculations down at all on paper. Force your brain to do the calculations in your head. Start by doing the problems in the official guide. Keep in mind - dont write anything down. I mean not even the most complicated equations. Force your brain to do them in the head. When you start out dont have a time limit for the problems. Once you master this technique, you can start timing your self.

What this strategy does is it actually helps expand your short term memory. Moreover, writing down stuff consumes valuable seconds. Give it a shot.

-DR