470 Taking GMAT again please advice

**dgajaria** · 02-18-2003, 06:27 PM

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Hi!!

I took GMAT in Nov 2002. I used Kaplan and Princeton books and software to pratice. I used to get score between 600-650 in the practice tests. But in the real test i scored 470 only

. Anyway i did not give up, I ordered GMAT Official Guide latest edition and have been practicing for past one month. But i think Maths and also Comp. in the book is much easier than what i got in real test. I am so confused...if i should take test on March 4 or postpone it. The Maths in real test was more difficult than the Kaplan and Princeton too. Please let me know fast....

thanks alott
Deepa

**Erin** · 02-18-2003, 06:29 PM

What's your goal score? Where do you want to go to school? Are you a native speaker of English?

I'm probably going to recommend that you postpone your test, but the answers to the above questions would help me give you a better answer, I think.

**dgajaria** · 02-18-2003, 06:40 PM

Hi Erin,

Thanks for the prompt reply. My target score is between 650-700. My target schools are Babson, Boston College(carroll), BU. I from India settled in Boston,MA for good. Anyhow, my entire education was in English medium...so thats not a problem!!!

Originally posted by Erin Billy

What's your goal score? Where do you want to go to school? Are you a native speaker of English?

I'm probably going to recommend that you postpone your test, but the answers to the above questions would help me give you a better answer, I think.

**Erin** · 02-18-2003, 06:49 PM

Okay, I figured something like that (similar to many of the other TestMagicians here!).

Most people in your situation will needs a good couple of months of preparation to raise their scores. You're looking to raise your score 200 points or so, which, while entirely doable, will take some honest effort on your part.

**dgajaria** · 02-18-2003, 07:04 PM

..but tell me something, how come I used to score 620..640..670 in Kaplan test(done with full honesty) and scored so low in actual test. Although i was told that Kaplan is toughier than actual, i found the reverse to be true. Does it have to do something with where u take test;the exam centre or your mental activeness at that point of time. I used to score very high in QTY(90%)....but i was really shocked to see my test...it was much toughier than any of the Kaplan and Official Guide questions(no exaggaration).
Please reply.....how much time i should prepare more. For Nov exam I had honestly studied for more than two months.My cousin and I used to study together and we used to score almost same in Kaplan tests, but he scored 720!!!
Anyway....if u think i should postpone, what strategy i should use this time to prepare.Waiting for your reply.

Thanks....

Deepa

Originally posted by Erin Billy

Okay, I figured something like that (similar to many of the other TestMagicians here!).

Most people in your situation will needs a good couple of months of preparation to raise their scores. You're looking to raise your score 200 points or so, which, while entirely doable, will take some honest effort on your part.

**Erin** · 02-18-2003, 08:54 PM

I have said this over and over and over and over in this forum, but I'll say it again: test scores from non-official material are useless for most people. Ignore them, especially in your case.

When I have time, I'll try to write up an article about this and post it as a FAQ.

So, yes, you will need to study hard, Deepa. You can do it!

**dgajaria** · 02-18-2003, 10:08 PM

okay...so i take thy advice and go ahead with postponement of my test. I will look forward to thy article on test scores from non-official material.
Thanks again for the encouragement....i really really need it

.Meanwhile can u please advice me that when should i reschedule my test,considering my last score.

yes....i know i will do it, i can do it

Originally posted by Erin Billy

I have said this over and over and over and over in this forum, but I'll say it again: test scores from non-official material are useless for most people. Ignore them, especially in your case.

When I have time, I'll try to write up an article about this and post it as a FAQ.

So, yes, you will need to study hard, Deepa. You can do it!

**Erin** · 02-18-2003, 11:18 PM

I can't say for sure how long you will need, there are simply too many factors, of which I am unaware, that are involved. I'd say you need to give yourself at least six weeks of study to do it.

So, time to get to work!

**dgajaria** · 02-18-2003, 11:37 PM

Hi Erin....I think I am asking too many questions... here comes one more

...what should i concentrate the most on , I have all...Official Guide, kaplan, Kaplan 800, Princeton Verbal and Barron; i think i need to improve my verbal first...hopefully rest will improve with practice

Deepa

Originally posted by Erin Billy

I can't say for sure how long you will need, there are simply too many factors, of which I am unaware, that are involved. I'd say you need to give yourself at least six weeks of study to do it.

So, time to get to work!

**Erin** · 02-18-2003, 11:48 PM

Do non-official material at the beginning to give you an introduction/overview of the test. You might want to do Kap and Princeton Review first, then the 800 books. As you progress, start doing ONLY official stuff. Only official material can give you an accurate "feel" of the sheer breadth of variety of what you'll see on test day.