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The worst gmat score in the world
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GMAT_FRUSTRATION  
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Dear All,Tue Apr 28, 2009 09:51 PM I hope anyone can help put me in the right direction. I aim to apply to one of the top 5 schools, however, I have just scored the lowest GMAT score in history. I studied with Kaplan and scored 270. Athough, I have a strong GPA, recommendation letter, achievements (both professional and personal) and an outstanding essay, I AM NOT sure whether to still press the submit button of just cancel the applications. Please I need help, I am really frustrated! Specifically, I need to know how to improve my GMAT - I think the Kaplan strtegy is not working for me. Also, should I submit the application or cancel it? |
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| sally Joined: 07 Feb 2009 Posts: 135 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Are you applying for this year or next year? If next year, I'd take the GMAT again before submitting applications to any universities. Wed Apr 29, 2009 02:13 AM If this year, I'd apply now as it's pretty late, but put a note on your application that explains you plan to retake the GMAT shortly. (There is usually a field that allows you to explain special circumstances). I can't give you good advice about what might help you with the test based on the info you provided. What, specifically, did you have a problem with? Did you run out of time too early? Did you have problems with the question types? I mean, surely there is some reason you tripped up. But only once you identify what the problem is might you fix it! Generally, I think the most effective preparation is practice, practice, practice. Set aside four hours of your time on a couple of weekends and take practice tests on a computer. That will help you feel more comfortable with the format, and get used to managing your time to answer all the questions, giving each the right amount of thought. [Edited by sally on 29 Apr 2009] |
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| nblueblaze Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 181 |
The worst gmat score in the world
GMAT being expensive most students come to Prometric the armed to the teeth with mugged up high frequency word lists and the maths formula! But quite a few number of plebeians like you and me might be forced to take the second attempt to get a better score...and there is nothing wrong in it! The ultimate aim is to gain admission in a good B School...let the iteration count rest in peace!Wed Apr 29, 2009 07:51 AM Take a break! Go back to your book(s)..retake the exam after 3 months...This time dont stress yourself...you will get a good score... If Kaplan is not working for you buy a different book...Kaplan is not God...its just the most popular...for me also Kaplan didnt work... Do not submit your current score...retake the exam... All the best. --Nes --- [Edited by nblueblaze on 29 Apr 2009] |
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MBAAdmCracker  Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 89 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Wed Apr 29, 2009 04:29 PM Dear All, Hi, your GMAT score will not get you into a top 5 school. You need at least 700+. Please take the exam again. S --- |
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| GMAT_FRUSTRATION
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 |
The worst gmat score in the world
All,Wed Apr 29, 2009 08:53 PM Thanks a lot for all responses. I plan to apply this year to LBS but,I think I will just pack it next year. In the meantime, I still think their is problem with my study strategy. My timing is still not very good and the Kaplan is not for either. Please can anyone recommend a better srategy and also a good study resources. Thanks once more for your response and I look forward to your Invaluable advice. |
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| Evan2007 Joined: 06 Apr 2007 Posts: 60 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Don't give up, because there will probably be times during the MBA where you'll fall behind, too. It's all about plowing through!! Just collect yourself, practice, retake it, and kick its butt. Wed Apr 29, 2009 08:56 PM No shame in retaking it. I know a guy that retook after scoring around 670. |
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| GMAT_FRUSTRATION
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 |
The worst gmat score in the world
@Evans27,Wed Apr 29, 2009 09:04 PM Thanks a lot - that's quite motivating. |
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| MBAAdmCracker Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 89 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Thu Apr 30, 2009 02:35 AM All, Just download the test from gmat.com and keep practicing with it. There'll be 2 exams, but that'll be enough. What you need is to understand the reasoning, not the amount of content, so go over your mistakes. Princeton review has great resources to explain the reasoning behind the answers. Also, just relax. Maybe a class-style tutorial is not for you. Perhaps the other students give you too much pressure? I know I certainly didn't benefit from a class, and I needed to retake the exam. It's definitely a tough exam to take, but with will power, you'll be able to pull it off. Also, check what the 80% range is for LBS. --- [Edited by MBAAdmCracker on 30 Apr 2009] |
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| mimis
Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 9 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Gmat frustration,Fri May 01, 2009 12:32 PM I think it is crucial for you to : BELIEVE IN YOURSELF- you have probably heard about many people who scored well and said ''what??? him?,i am way better!!!'' . Well, you are. (i hope u get my point) RELAX- after all the basis of gmat math is high school level,just try to find cds with tests (for me books were of no help) that explain the method,way of thinking.I think its really important to understand how the tests works and what it really asks from you. i believe that if you retook the test untimed you would find most of the answers. FIND YOUR WEAKNESSES-for example,i knew i was weak at combinatorics, i tried to solve as many as i could. PRACTICE-as much as you can. I did in total 13 tests(NOT in books).I scored in a range of 490-640 at home,without writing essays.In fact i had never written one,the only one i wrote was during the test. ----- i dont know if your native language is english...mine is not, so knowing that i wont improve my english level for the test i just tried to find some tricks that might help me in some cases(for ex. ''we don't like -ing so much in gmat'',im sure you have read things like that).....well,many would argue that in the end its all about how apt you are in English... BUT what helped me most was manhattangmat.I purchased the online tests. They were much more difficult than the real exam.i didnt get good scores on it,but just because its level was much more difficult than anything i had ever tried before,it felt that it just elevated my level....it costs 40 dollars i think.it really gave me an advantage.I also solved the tests of Mcgraw hill but that were not that good.If you are not sure if you dont want to spent 40 dollars i think there is a free online test first.try it. I was really unhappy about my preparation,one month,after work and after spanish classes.I just said,''well i'll retake it if i dont score that well''.Finally i scored 700.confidence and hard tests that smulate the real test are what is needed i think. Good luck!!!!(i also wanted to apply for LBS but had no time to write the essays!!....well,what can u do???) I'm sure you will do just fine. |
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| GMAT_FRUSTRATION
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Guys you rock!,Fri May 01, 2009 11:19 PM Thanks for all your priceless advices.I realy appreciate them. Mimis, I am not an english native speaking. I was originally from Africa. I am going through a total change in study strategy right now. I think I have one question; does anyone know if their is any correlation between the verbal session and the AWA as I seem to get 5 in AWA even though I failed the verbal session proper. My biggest problem is timing and the Reading comprehension. How can I improve my reading and understanding rate? Any advice will be appreciated. |
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| MBAAdmCracker Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 89 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Sat May 02, 2009 02:45 AM Guys you rock!, No, there is no correlation between AWA and verbal. The adcom don't even really put much weight on AWA, but in your case, they'd just refer to it to make sure you can speak/write in english and that nobody wrote your application essays for you. The verbal is a different type of thinking. Think about this as taking the GMAC designed test. You study for GMAC, it's not a general test. How do you pace yourself? You know that the first 15 questions are most important in the math and veral questons? those are the ones you spend most time on. Then the next 10 you can afford to make more mistakes. The last few ones are just refiners --- |
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| j.pardoubek
Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 22 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Another possible solution - if you print the ranking you used to choose those very top-5 schools and turn pages upside down, you can easily apply to top-5 with your current score.Wed May 06, 2009 11:29 PM And a small hint: try to get 50% more time from Prometric. It's not very difficilt, depends on your connections in the medical world. |
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| GMAT_FRUSTRATION
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 5 |
The worst gmat score in the world
J.pardoubek,Thu May 07, 2009 11:04 PM I don't who you are and for all I care i DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE. And by the way, I was not soliciting advice from an arrogant person like you. Please keep your suggestions to yourself and good luck with your inhumane posts. Remember, no man is an island of knowledge and watch this space I will come back I tell when I have scored my 700+. |
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| mimis
Joined: 10 Mar 2009 Posts: 9 |
The worst gmat score in the world
that attitude is better towards the test i think,u r on the right track!!Thu May 07, 2009 11:32 PM and remember it is far more interesting when u have people mocking u and dont believe in u.Your feeling of success will be greater! |
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| MBAAdmCracker Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 89 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Fri May 08, 2009 02:54 AM that attitude is better towards the test i think,u r on the right track!! Exactly. Keep your chin up! I'm sure you will do great on your GMAT! Just remember, you don't need to push yourself to get into an MBA this year if it doesn't work out. There's always another year. The adcom realizes that we're all humans and that the GMAT Is a tough test to take, so it's completely ok if you need to re-take the test. It won't be frowned upon. Just don't let it get you down as there are more important things in life to worry about. --- |
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| nblueblaze Joined: 04 Dec 2008 Posts: 181 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Good attitude bro...keep the fire burning...gmat is difficult but not impossible...all the best!Fri May 08, 2009 06:08 AM If you r having probs with the verbal sec of Gmat...I advice..take Toefl/Ielts first...they being easier but totally english test will give you enough reasons to shake out the fear inside u...atleast it worked for me.. i referred to the toefl book by orient longman..its far better than kaplan. _nes --- [Edited by nblueblaze on 08 May 2009] |
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| andy.j. Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 159 |
The worst gmat score in the world
What's very important(don't laugh) is knowing yourself - you have already studied in the past, and got some good results, so you can definitely learn - the question is how?Fri May 08, 2009 10:55 AM this is a strategic matter, and is individual - every one has their own way to understand things and to learn. first you have to try and locate the problem - is it the class room? is it the stress? are you understanding everything, but you take too much time to read/write? after you locate your weakness, start to develop a personal strategies in order to overcome the problem. if you are taking too much time to read, there are lots of ways to make the reading process easier and faster - there are many books on this subject, and many ways to do it - you have to find the right one for you! i will give you a personal example - i have a big miscalculation problem - i can't seem to get the basic numbers right(7+4 can sometimes add up to 13 in my calculations). i am how ever, very good with complex equations. After finding this out in high school, i had to find a way to calculate fast without using the traditional system, which doesn't work for me. and i found it! it is a bit upside down, but it works for me. what i am saying is: GMAT classes and the GMAT itself are standardized things, and they can't take individual problems into account - it is your job to understand your strength and weakness and to work with them. i hope this somehow makes sense to you.... [Edited by link updater on 12 Aug 2009] |
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| mba101
Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 7 |
The worst gmat score in the world
I'm in this same boat. I just read all your responses. What motivation!! I hear that most accrediated schools require at least a 600+ on the GMAT. I was no where near that! Reading your post really made me fell better. Off to study, again!
Tue May 12, 2009 07:49 PM |
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| MBAAdmCracker Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 89 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Wed May 13, 2009 01:17 AM I'm in this same boat. I just read all your responses. What motivation!! I hear that most accrediated schools require at least a 600+ on the GMAT. I was no where near that! Reading your post really made me fell better. Off to study, again! Glad to hear! Don't worry, we've all been through it. --- |
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| sally Joined: 07 Feb 2009 Posts: 135 |
The worst gmat score in the world
About what sort of score to shoot for... someone said you need at least a 700, and that is not true at all. Wed May 13, 2009 10:37 PM A 600 could get you into a highly ranked school if the rest of your application is above average. A 550 could get you into a highly ranked school if the rest of your application is really exceptional. And if you really have amazing accomplishments (like you are a 23 year old ceo or something) I would think your score could even be lower than that... I have a 610 and have had success with the places I applied. I think its because my professional background is atypical, my undergrad GPA is good, and my essays were well written and interesting.. it's not ALL about about your GMAT. If you can get it up over the 500 threshold you should be OK! Just keep taking practice tests and you'll start improving your score! Try the official tests available at MBA.com, they're supposed to be the closest to the real thing. Your score on those tests can give you an idea of what you'll get without spending as much money.. |
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| saint
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 19 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Hello thereWed Jul 29, 2009 11:23 AM Many schools ask for high GMATs above 650 because this does help them in rankings. Imagine being in a class where everyone as above 650 or 700, where is the interaction with candidates who have scored lower but excel in other areas. The GMAT is just 1 element of an application package however if a school requires a GMAT, then you really need to score above 500. Above 550 and with some schools this is good enough to be considered for a scholarship or reduction of some kind. To go from 270 to above 550 in one jump is one task. You need to look at courses offered privately or take some private maths lessons with a focus to the teacher that this is training for the GMAT test.I get somewhat annoyed with schools demanding very high GMATs because it feels like your walking in a restaurant and being asked to open your wallet up and unless you have more than 650-700 Euros/pounds then you cannot eat there. Take a minimum of 6 weeks practising for the GMAT. saint |
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| JamieO Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 73 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:16 PM Hello there not true, FT and Businessweek ignore GMAT when compiling the ranking. Only the economist takes it into consideration with a 12.5% weighting |
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| saint
Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 19 |
The worst gmat score in the world
Just one final remark, the GMAT is a crucial part of the rankings for a school and the FT times does use it. Ive been in the MBA field advising for the last 10 years, also the GMAT test is a safety net, if you fail a MBA programme after scoring above 500 on the GMAT then you have no excuses really for failing because the GMAT shows that you have what it takes to get through an MBA programme. Also schools like quality because word of mouth gets around and it all plays a part. I can also tell you that to go from a GMAT of 300 or below to above 600 is no easy task, if your exceptional and really put the hard work in then maybe you can do this, last but least, why one of the top 5 schools is that you feel a need to get into, do you feel this will get you your dream job or career, I can honestly tell you that the best school for you is the one that is going to be able to equip you with the tools and needs of what you seek and not the name alone will carry you to a CEO position, at the end of the day you have to fight off other candidates for any position and sell yourself. My personal advice is to have a chat with a career service expert who can really guide you in the right direction for what you want.Tue Aug 04, 2009 01:17 PM saint [Edited by saint on 04 Aug 2009] |
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| andy.j. Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 159 |
The worst gmat score in the world
----"also the GMAT test is a safety net, if you fail a MBA programme after scoring above 500 on the GMAT then you have no excuses really for failing because the GMAT shows that you have what it takes to get through an MBA programme"......Mon Aug 10, 2009 01:00 PM not sure about that, saint - GMAT is just the easiest way for the schools to do the first screening. it is however, not really a fair screening, since you have lots of courses, books and whatnot, designed to help you get a high score and this, however, is distorting the balance, and takes the hole point out of the test - i know some complete idiots that got a 600+ score after taking a few courses...... people i wouldn't let manage a barbershop. and there is the other side to consider - how about a great mind, who can't afford going to a course,to learn all the Tricks to help him save time? i think the GMAT test doesn't really say anything about ones abilities any more - but it would never stop, since lots of people are profiting from it. |
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| donho199 Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 65 |
The worst gmat score in the world
i tend to agree with saint. even though i dont really agree on the extent to which GMAT is a good indicator of intellectuality.Wed Aug 19, 2009 03:59 PM It is the most reliable and most standardised we have at the moment. Also it is very unfair to compare 2 individuals based on ANY EXAM PERFORMANCE. At the end of the day, we are talking about the whole issue of evaluating non-quantifiable elements. MBA vs Managers/Leaders. College graduate vs drop-outs and so on so forth but i think GMAT is useful |
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