Strange pattern of scores

[Karthik]

I am registered to take the GMAT for the first time on the 10th of January. My score patterns in the tests so far are a bit strange and I am quite unsure about what to expect.

1st MGMAT score: 640 (Q42, V35)
1st GMAT Prep: 670
2nd MGMAT score: 580 (Q37, V32) -- I panicked and messed up in the middle of this test
3rd MGMAT score: 600 (Q35, V36)
4th MGMAT score: 690 (Q45, V38) -- finally got a hold of myself somewhat
5th MGMAT score: 700 (Q44, V41)
2nd GMAT Prep: 650 (Q47, V36)

I was hoping to keep climbing after I scored a 690 and 700 in my last 2 MGMAT tests, but the 650 in GMAT Prep has deflated me a quite a bit. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do during my last week of preparations for the GMAT?

Any suggestions will be very helpful

Thanks
Karthik

[karthik]

Some additional information: The only thing different in my GMAT Prep was that I felt like I was a little behind on my verbal timing after one particularly confusing RC set of questions. Although they dont give you the time spent on each question, I know I was less sure of my answers after the tough RC question -- I also guessed 2-3 questions to get to the end of the Verbal questions and got the last 4 questions wrong.

And in the Quant section, I also could not hit confirm on the last question, thus effectively missing it completely.

Does anyone have an idea if this would cause my score to go from near 690-700 to 650?

Also, I am thinking of taking another online practice test tomorrow, with the hope that correcting some of these timing issues will help my confidence a bit -- I just hope it doesnt go lower than 650!!

Sorry for the elongated post, just a little anxious before my first GMAT test.

[JonathanSchneider]

"Does anyone have an idea if this would cause my score to go from near 690-700 to 650?"

-- It certainly could, when you put all of those things together (missing the last math and verbal, some other timing issues).

Take another practice test if you want, but bear in mind that a practice test score is not a perfect indicator of what you'll get on the actual test, so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on it, especially if you're nervous going into it.

It's strange, but I often hear from people who said they found a way to not care very much about what score they got - they just wanted to focus on each question and do the best they could, balancing their time. These folks tend to do very well. Meanwhile, those who are fixated on getting a certain score sometimes underperform. This is sort of a Catch-22: the more you want a specific score, the harder it is to get. That's because of the timed/adaptive nature of the test. A little adrenaline can be a good thing, but too much anxiety floods your system, and can be a distraction. You need to find a peaceful but alert place inside yourself for the test. Part of that comes from how you treat yourself (being healthy) in the week leading up to the test. Another part comes in what you're telling yourself in your mind (are you saying things like "I really can't afford to screw this up" or things like "I can recover from my small mistakes; that's okay"?). A positive/forgiving inner monologue goes a long way.

[karthik]

Thanks, Jonathan, thats very good advice.

I took that final test I was talking about and got a 720(Q47, V41), but this time, I was fully focused on the timing..I used guessing throughout the test whenever I felt I was falling behind (instead of just at the end), and it seemed to help. I am planning to take it easy with just an hour or so of basic revision before the actual test on Saturday, nothing too intense. I hope things go well!

Thanks again.

[JonathanSchneider]

Now that's more like it!

I like your plan. Good luck!