730 (Q44, V48) -- what I learned

chet steadman · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: 730 (Q44, V48) -- what I learned

I can't believe I had a higher verbal scaled score than quant, but there you have it. It's funny, but while 730 is a score with which I am very happy, I feel like I could have done a ton better. I really didn't feel in the zone until midway through the quant section.

What I learned:

1) MGMAT guide books are AWESOME. I only got to read 3 out of the 8 (SC, Equations, Number Properties), as I didn't realize how great they were until 2 days before the exam; but if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't do a single OG11 question until I went through the whole set. As someone who didn't take any courses, I highly, highly recommend these.

2) Don't be too proud to re-learn basic concepts. I am admittedly full of myself. Early on, I thought I was too smart to go over basic math concepts. Huge mistake. Brushing up on even the most basic concepts (quadratic formula, geometry, even simply algebra) is a great way to improve your speed and efficiency. Even if you know the material.

3) Do at least one practice question for each AWA section. I'm glad somebody told me to do this the day before, because I drew a complete blank during my first practice run. Getting comfortable with this section should take no more than a few hours, and it's time well spent.

4) For verbal (my strength, as you can see above) I learned my rules by finding flaws it other people's e-mails, language, etc. I'm sure it annoys other people, but as Frasier Crane once said: "It's like correcting people's grammar. I don't do it to be popular."

5) If you have a morning exam, go to sleep early. Wake up a few hours before your appointment, go to a diner, grab a nice breakfast with coffee. Do easy/medium questions for 20 mins before the exam just to warm up. I wish I had more time to do questions prior to my exam. Which brings me to my next point:

6) Don't show up to the test site until you have fully warmed up and know your stuff. I showed up way early, thinking I'd study in the lobby. Studying in the lobby was a no-go. Then they were reluctant to let me leave to just do a couple of minutes of practice questions. Not sure what the reasoning is.

I'm sure there are more, but I have to run. Good luck all

AleksandrM · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject:

How did you perform on practice tests?

chet steadman · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject:

April 20: 610 on Kaplan.

(3 month gap, as I was studying for the CFA, then took vacation). Bought OG11 in July and began studying.

August 11: 650 (MGMAT)
August 24: 690 (MGMAT)
August 31: 650 (MGMAT)
September 1: 710 (MGMAT)
September 4: 710 (MGMAT)

aj5105 · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:28 am Post subject:

congrats !

AleksandrM · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:29 am Post subject:

Your test results are similar to my own over the last six weeks. I hope to repeat your success when I sit for the test, tomorrow.

aim-wsc · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:32 am Post subject:

congrats chet!

AleksandrM · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

Thanks. This is my second attempt, and I am going in with a much clearer and relaxed mind than the first time.

amitdgr · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

Great score Chet ...

anju · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

chet steadman · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

AleksandrM · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

Thank you all very much. I now will carry your expectations on my shoulders, along with my mother's. Laughing

bluementor · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:48 am Post subject:

AleksandrM · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:48 am Post subject:

Crap. 640. Scored lower on math than before and higher on verbal than before. Score is exactly the same as the first time around. But, oh well. At this point I am moving on to kicking ass on the essays. I have to write quite a few. Plus my recommenders are waiting for them to write the letters.