550 on PR or 490 on PP ?

[petals007]

Hi,
I am new to this mesage board and I really need some advice...
I am taking the GMAT this saturday , August 16, 2003. I have been practicing using the Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT book and the PP cd. Using the PR book I was scoring 550's, which for me is what I was aiming for, these standardized tests are not for me...anyways...When I took the PP test I scored much below about a 490. Is this a true reflection of my score? I took both tests on teh PP cd and scored a 490....although I took 2 tests on teh PR cd and scored a 550 and 560 respectively. Can someone tell me if the PP score is the score that is true? I am freaking out...I have been studying for about 6 weeks...If anyone has any suggestions please let me know! Thanks!

[P_malh]

Hi Petals007,

I have my test on Aug16th too!!! don't freak out...that's the last thing u should do.Have u read the official guide yet?I don't think u mentioned it in the books and cd's u are reading from.
start reading the official guide asap.That's the best book for Gmat.
The PP cd most of the people say, gives an almost accurate score.But if u've read the OG before u do the tests then it doesn't really make any sense cause the questions on the cd are from the book itself.Usually u can subtract about 50 points from the PP score.I've heard PR cd is easier than PP.
u still have almost a week left.go through the OG and prepare.Don't worry...u'll get a good score.

[petals007]

Hi P-Malh,
Unfortunately, I didn't get the OG, do you know where I can get it? Does Barnes and Nobles have it? Do you think my score will increase in a week? Knowing that the PR cd is easier is really scaring me now, I was hoping it would reflect my score more than the PP.
Thanks for your advice and encouragment!

[P_malh]

Petals,

I don't know if u can reschedule it now.Since it's the 11th today.U'll probably lose all the money.I suggest take the test.U can take it again after a month.U cannot find the OG in B&N but probably have to order it online.Yes, yr scoore can improve in a week.Do u know someone in yr area who's already taken the test and can spare the OG for a week?

[RB]

Hi Petals007,

Although I think OG is a pretty valuable tool for GMAT. The fact that you have not done it does not necessarily mean that you will not do well. Yes.. if you had more time then I would have recommended OG. It is a valuable tool. But realistically its too short a time frame between now and your GMAT for you to get into it.

Just to let you know questions in PP are from OG. This should give u some idea about what kina material is in OG.

So my suggestion to you is that take it easy..get OG but don't kill yourself in trying to get through it. If you can't get hold of OG then don't worry, you will be fine. What you need at this stage is a more relaxed approach to the whole thing. Focus on your strong points out of the 5 topics (PS/DS/SC/CR/RC) and give it one final push in the remaining days. I am no expert at this so I only speak from my GMAT exp.

Just to let u know, in my first attempt the average of my PR scores were 10 points away from my actual GMAT. Hope this gives you some confidence.

Take it easy and good luck. Hope this helped a bit.

Rohit.

[petals007]

Hi P-Malh, and Rohit,
Thanks to you both for advice! It did help! I will focus on my weak and strong areas and just go from there...worst case, I will have to take it again, but this site has allowed me to realize what materials I will need next time around. Thanks again!!