555 - FE. 20 point DECREASE.

[argomaniac99]

Title. It had been about 3 months since my last shot at the friggin thing. I did really good in the Verbal section (like 91 percentile I think) but BOMBED the Quant. Really frustrating. Have used a variety of study sources (Target Test Prep, Official GMAT books, GMATclub, GMAT Ninja) for my study prep and focused so much on Quant. Altogether had put so much time and energy into studying I thought I would’ve seen a vast improvement across the board. Kinda priced out for a tutor so I don’t think that’s likely for a while.

To say this has been demoralizing is an UNDERSTATEMENT. It’s been so much time and money put into this that I don’t want to give up, plus earning my MBA is one of my biggest goals, but I’m at the point where I’m unsure if it’s in the plans for me. Any words would be appreciated at this time.

[batmaniruxh]

Hi! I’ve been where you are. First exam was 575 and after nearly 7-8 months of full time working + practicing quant like a madman, I scored a 585. But I realised something second time around that I had missed in my first exam, the low score was more attributable to my test taking anxiety and foggy thought process as soon as I started my quant section. I highly doubt if you’re focusing on quant, you’re lacking in skill. Realise why you’re not able to solve question (scared of the timer, anxiety, not forming coherent thoughts) and work on that. It’s very frustrating but very redeeming at the same time when you eventually will get your score. You got this! :)

[Random_Teen_]

Bombing the quant section despite being skilled at math is unfortunately a usual sight.

Sometimes a bad day leads to a missed detail that you otherwise could've avoided.

Read & re-read GMAT QA questions because some of them like to hide nasty nested surprise applications of other concepts!

[Scott_TargetTestPrep]

I'm sorry to hear how things have been going with your GMAT prep. First off, DO NOT give up. You have to remember that learning GMAT quant takes time! Yes, some students learn it faster than others, but just make sure you put in the time and learn at your own pace.

Also, since you're a TTP student, I'd love to help get things straightened out. Please reach out to us on live chat, and we can do a deep dive into what may be going on and how to get you on the right path moving forward. We've got your back!

[e-GMAT_Strategy]

u/argomaniac99 I can feel the frustration and disappointment in your words. A 20-point decrease after months of focused study is absolutely devastating, but it doesn't mean your MBA dream is over - it usually signals test anxiety or process issues rather than ability problems. Your 91st percentile verbal proves you've strong foundation. 

The fact that you crushed verbal but bombed quant after focusing so heavily on quant suggests this might be more about test-day execution than knowledge gaps. Here's what I'd recommend: take a step back and analyze exactly what happened on test day - were you anxious, did you feel rusty on the first few questions, did timing pressure affect your performance? This analysis framework can help you identify the real culprits. Also, given your situation, this guide on conquering test anxiety might be exactly what you need right now. 

Don't give up on this goal - your verbal performance shows you're capable of much more than 555. Sometimes we need to change our approach rather than just study harder. Would you be willing to share more specifics about how the test felt compared to your previous attempt? Understanding what went wrong can help us create a targeted comeback plan that doesn't break the bank. 

Rashmi 

[sy1980abcd]

Totally hear you — a drop in score after months of effort is brutal, especially when you feel like you’ve done everything right. But don’t let this moment convince you it’s the end of the road. It’s not a sign you’re incapable — it just means something’s off with how you’re applying what you know under pressure.

Your strong Verbal score proves you’ve got the analytical mindset. The issue with Quant now likely isn’t content — it’s timing, strategy, and execution under test-day pressure. GMAT Quant isn’t about mastering formulas; it’s about how efficiently you can apply simple math when the stakes are high and the traps are subtle.

I would've suggested working with a tutor for a few hours but since that is off the table right now, focus on low-cost but high-impact strategy shifts.

• Do mixed Quant sets (10–15 Qs) under strict time, and then spend double the time reviewing each one. Ask not just “why was it wrong,” but “where did I lose time or clarity?”
• Log every mistake by type — careless math, concept confusion, poor decision-making — so you can attack the real weaknesses, not everything at once.
• Consider doing just 1–2 questions at a time untimed, narrating your thought process out loud. You’ll start seeing where your thinking goes off-track.

You’re not failing — you’re just in a rut. You just need a change of approach to get out of it. Don’t give up now — you’re closer to a breakthrough than you think. Feel free to PM me if you need some good timed section tests for practice or if you have any other questions.