560 GMAT - Complete Disappointment with 560!

[Dutch]

Q: 37
V: 29
Total: 560~ Yuck!

I took my GMAT on 19 OCT as scored a dismal 560! I discovered this website the night before my test and spent about an hour reading entries and wishing I had found TestMagic before.

I spent about 2-3 months studying for my GMAT. I was deployed to Iraq until early SEP and really started focusing when I returned home. I used the PR online course as my sole study guide and after once I hit my 3rd of 5 tests did pretty well...680-700. A few days before the test I switched to some Kaplan and GMAT Prep tests and got freaked on how low I was scoring (560)...thus my search for GMAT websites. I did manage to score a 690 on the GMAT prep right before I took my exam.

I would like to break 700 but feel pretty confident with my background (10 year military officer) a 650 would suffice. Anyhow, I debated on sharing my experience but felt a bit guilty reading all the great info and not sharing any. I plan on taking the test again in early Dec. as I am applying for schools in 07 (Stanford, Harvard, Darden). The most disappointing aspect of my test is that I feel like I could not have studied at all and done just as well.

This time I plan on focusing on the OG 11, OG Verbal Review, and OG Quant review. I still have access to my PR online course and will use that as a refresher....plus this great website. Thanks for all the good info.

[natedog]

Thank you for your service. You better downplay your military service because the academic elite are basically anti-military and anti-American. Ironic isn't it? You pay the price for their luxury to to despise you.

Use Manhattan SC for verbal.

[Dutch]

Thanks for the sentiment Natedog. If I can score on the GMAT my military experience may actually help me as these schools are looking for diversity and leadership. I understand your comments about the academic elite and am using some contacts on the inside to help me frame my applications. Thanks again.

[Clintonn]

Dutch you should have no problem gettng into any school, even with the score you got now.

[Dutch]

Well, I already missed the first round apps to Stanford, Harvard and UVA...I may have to test your theory if I don't improve my score as I am appying in the second round no matter what. If I don't get picked up then I will use the third round for UCLA and Berkley. Thanks for the encouragement I hope you are right.

[dyoh]

Thank you for your service. You better downplay your military service because the academic elite are basically anti-military and anti-American. Ironic isn't it? You pay the price for their luxury to to despise you.

Use Manhattan SC for verbal.

That's not totally true. I read the student testimonials from various programs (I know it sounds dorky, but it helps me gauge the students) and I've found many top 10 schools have military folks.

[Clintonn]

I sat in an information session at columbia university and the Associate Director was gushing about the fact that Military canidates were among the student population. He even went on to say that Columbia has a Club for military students.

Also, at that information session, I was told and given a brochure that showed that the range of GMAT score for columbia was 780-520; That means that the school accepted students who scored 520 on the GMAT.

You know who those students were, well, the one who were more diverse, impressive and had a different story to tell than regular canidates. Service in the military and active duty, that is not a common story among business school applicants.

[natedog]

Y’all’s anecdotal comments are encouraging, however; the manifestations of moral relativism on college campuses and society in general are, in my view, absurd.

Good luck Dutch!

[Dutch]

I appreciate all the comments. I can say that I definitely have a unique background (Iraq twice, Kuwait, Germany, Denmark, Bosnia, Poland) but at the same time I am competing against other military with unique backgrounds and in my efforts to secure an MBA spot at a top 10 school I do not feel confident competing with anyone with a 560. Also, personally, I do not feel like a 560 is sufficient so I will keep plugging away, I restart my efforts on Monday as I am finishing up some essays this weekend. My debate is whether I should take it once at the end of DEC (for second round admissions) or if I should take it twice...once at the Beginning of Dec and once at the Beginning of Jan? Also, if anyone can tell me is Topscore personal tutor is worth the 500 bucks for two months?

I will be sure to let everyone know what schools said YES and which said NO...I am sure the results will be interesting....but first let's work on raising this GMAT score!
Thanks!

[natedog]

<<Also, if anyone can tell me is Topscore personal tutor is worth the 500 bucks for two months?>>

Not to me. You can achieve a good score with OG and Manhattan SC books. (Cost: $50 US).

I was able to get GMAT 640 with V42/Q34. My verbal was 60%-65% before Manhattan SC but I got V96% on actual GMAT after Manhattan SC. A good verbal increases your overall score more than a good quant. I'm certain I can score at least V44 Q48 next time. My goal is 720.