Resetting GMAT Goals: A Practical Guide for Struggling Students 

After stagnation comes frustration, and after frustration, desperation can set in. In our previous articles and, we discussed how to break through a GMAT plateau and improve your progress tracking system to turn frustration into targeted practice. If you've diligently followed those strategies and still find yourself struggling, it may be time to reconsider and re-establish your GMAT goals. This article is not about giving up, but about realistically resetting your goals to align with your current situation. 

What Score Jumps Are Still Possible? 

When you're feeling stuck, it's tempting to search for a quick fix—some formula that tells you exactly how many hours of study will lead to a specific point increase. However, the reality is far more complex. While there are rules of thumb suggesting that studying "x" more hours could lead to "y" more points, these generalizations don’t account for individual circumstances. We recommend reading this article on GMAT Club that breaks down possible score improvements in more detail. 

Individual Variability:  
The students discussed in that article had their mistakes and improvement targets analyzed under the supervision of a tutor. This means they had exhausted every possible avenue for improvement before accepting their limitations. 

Your Situation:  
We strongly recommend giving profound mistake analysis and refined progress tracking a thorough chance before you decide to reset your goals. If you’ve already done this and are still struggling, it may be worth consulting a tutor who can provide personalized insights into your improvement potential. 

Planning a New Strategy with Realistic Goals 

Assuming you decide to give the GMAT another try with a more extended timeline, here’s how to proceed: 

Estimate Time Required:  
Determine the realistic time commitment needed to increase your score by the desired number of points. Consider where you currently stand in terms of percentile score, and be honest about what is feasible within the timeframe you have available. 

Revisit Previous Strategies:  
Go back and review our article on frustration management [link to article]. This article will help you take a breath and reconfigure your strategy also if you decide to extend your GMAT study window. 

Find a Focused Window:  
Identify a period in your calendar when you can dedicate yourself fully to improving your GMAT score. This could mean clearing your schedule of other commitments, or finding a stretch of time when you can focus exclusively on studying. If you can’t find or commit to such a window, it may be time to consider other options. 

Considering the GRE as an Alternative 

If you’re struggling to see the progress you want with the GMAT, it may be worth considering the GRE as an alternative, especially if your target schools accept both exams. 

Revisit the GMAT vs. GRE Decision:  
Do you remember our earlier article about the differences between the GMAT and the GRE? While the GRE is a different test, it might be a better fit depending on your strengths and weaknesses. 

The Need for Readjustment:  
Switching to the GRE will require a new study plan and preparation period. The test content and format are different, and you’ll need to invest time in understanding these nuances. 

Strategic Advantages:  
One significant advantage of the GRE is that business schools are generally less concerned with GRE scores than with GMAT scores when it comes to their program averages. This means applying with a lower GRE score could be less damaging to your admission chances, as schools prioritize their average GMAT scores for rankings and reputation. 

Conclusion 

Resetting your GMAT goals doesn't mean giving up; it means being strategic and realistic about what you can achieve given your current situation. If you've exhausted all other options and still find yourself struggling, it's time to reassess. Whether that means extending your study timeline, consulting a tutor, or considering the GRE as an alternative, the key is to make informed decisions that align with your goals and capabilities. Remember, every step you take is part of a larger journey, and there are multiple paths to success.