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"post_content": "Okay i’m just shocked at this point. Took a GMAT exam and scored 400. There is a ton of material out there, but looking for strategies to succeed of people who have scored this low if anyone ever has.",
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I feel ya! My first blind one was a 390. YUP. I was really shocked - I’m was a full academic scholar and been consulting for 5 years.
My first issue was I hadn’t done ANY math in a decade. I spent 1 month doing foundations of math and I went up 100 points. Just remembering basic math rules will help a lot.
My second issue was I was flying through verbal with 20 mins to spare. As a fluent speaker I thought this would be a doddle. Bit gmat phrases questions in a peculiar way and I didn’t give them enough thought. 1 month on verbal gave me a 90 point bump.
Once I had the basics of both banked only THEN did I look to spend money on a gmat course. I’m in the midst of that now, learning strategies and content.
Final score on real test TBC. But it’s defo a case of brushing up the basics. Don’t be disheartened. I was gutted too, but I realise we all start at different places. In total I’ll probably end up doing 6 months of tough work to get a good score. I know some people who studied for 2 weeks and got 710, but they were in quanty roles. Easier said than done, but find your starting point and run your own race to the finish line.
Dm me if you want info on books / courses I used.
I found this very encouraging cause my first score was this low
1. Don’t be disappointed. You probably took it after years of work life and aren’t in your prime state with your basics.. I studied for a few weeks and even took a prep course but scored 490. I thought I was dumb and couldn’t handle it but I realized couple of things: I needed to practice more and that didn’t like GMAT.. the question adaptive format was not my cup of tea
2. Cut yourself some slack and hit the basics: go to Khan Academy and refresh your basic knowledge on Math. Then, consider a prep course but underlying factor is practice a ton.
3. Consider GRE. Every major university accepts both and although the questions are be similar, it’s section adaptive and will be less pressure. I did that and got a 164 quant and 162 verbal, which is 700 after I switched. I didn’t go for any prep courses in person, but just practiced using Magoosh, ETS and Manhattan material.
You can do this! If you really want something badly in your life, you will make it happen. It’s about the path you take to get there. Good luck!
Keller School of Management is accepting applications for Fall 2020 still
Conversation Starter
460 on first diagnostic. Got 700 on practice exam. Waiting to take the real thing. TTP and Manhattan Verbal
Conversation Starter
Target test prep. Best quant prep course there is
400 gmat is an indicator of pretty low iq. However, if you put in a LOT of work you can work your way to a decent score.
Try TTP, they now have a beta version for verbal so you might try to follow their whole program. Give yourself at least 6 months.
Hope you make it!
Haha oh man I might just post this to
r/iamverysmart
I have a friend who’s first test with no prep was a 460. He busted his ass for 6mo and got up to a 680, and nailed his story and recs and got T-15. For him, his quant was killing him but TTP helped him make leaps and bounds in that
Target Test Prep, by far the best for quant
The gmat is a pretty long test that isnt easy to finish. If you took it without any prep or understanding of the test/how to take it, its possible that significantly impacted your score.
You can also switch to the GRE! I knew that I wasn’t a great test taker so I took the GRE. B schools are more forgiving with GRE scores and even top schools have an average of ~ 162 for each category which is basically a 680/700 GMAT. Also apply R1- schools are more forgiving for r1 applicants.
I found GMAT Genius extremely helpful
You can boost your Qual score really easily just by memorizing the frequently tested grammar rules. Don’t stress out, you are going to be so fine.
Add TTP for quant and your set. You got this!
DeVry is accepting applications for the Fall
Not really sure how to feel right now besides disappointed but grad school is my one life dream and i need to so something about this.
Keep working towards it. I just started studying for the GMAT and I’d probably get the same score. There are so many little things that we haven’t had to think about since college and some since high school. Get a plan and stick with it.
Mentor
You took an actual GMAT? Interim GMAT? Official practice test? Unofficial practice test? Test prep vendor diagnostic? If one of the latter two, I would assume there was a mistake and try something else
Conversation Starter
490 first practice test to 650 on my latest. My best math and verbal scores are 680, so I can probably get a 680+ on my best day. Practice practice practice. 400 will hurt but if you keep practicing you'll be fine. I know someone who went from 440-650 and 430-640.
Try Empower GMAT, only $99/month and it takes you through review and strategy step by step