My long battle with GMAT is finally over!! 740 (Q:49, V:41)

bigsang

I've been a active READER in this forum and always thought I'd contribute
to the story pool when I had completed my goal.

Well, now since I have, here's my story.

1. Personal background

I'm a 31 year old Korean male, living in Seoul. I lived in the US during
elementary school and served in the Army on a US army base in Korea.
I would consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to gain a considerable level of English skills. I have a B.A in Electronicall Engineering.

2. The long long journey
(1) During my 3rd year into my career (2005), not having thought things through, I thought I might want to get an MBA. Registered for a GMAT test. Thinking getting a feel of how the test is like would help. BAD IDEA.

Having a engineering back ground, I got a 47 on the Q. But on the verbal a 18!!! Total 540.

(2) During the following year (2006) I did my research this time and found out the schools got access to 5 most recent test scores. OUCH. I took some prep course on CR and SC for about 2 months. I was pretty confident with the Math, a bit over confident. I took the test and got a 670 (Q;48, V34)

(3) Now this is where the real fustration started. I had my heart on Stanford and I knew I needed a 700+ score to at least compete with other applicants. I studied some more and took the test again during the same year. Whalla a 650 (Q 47, V31). Pressed for time to appy, I took the test again 2 months later. Someone, with an engineering background, hinted that I needed to turn off the timer during Math portion. I did what he said and it totally back fired!! The test ended with more then 10 problems untouched... result... 650 (Q42, V37)

I ran out of time and applied with the 670. Not even invited for an interview.

(4) The following year (2007), I took a course in math. Took the test and got a 690 (Q 50, V33). My scores fluxuated up and down, increasing my fustration. to this point my Q range was 42~50 and V 31~37 (not counting the 18 I got on my first test). I knew if I could only get the best of Q and V, I'd hit a 700+ score. But again pressed for time, I applied again with the 690. Again no interview invitation.

(5) Early this year, I was determined to go to B-school. I took the test again and got a 700 (Q44, V42). I was somewhat pleased with this score, but a bit dissapointed with my Q. If I had hit the Q with a 50, my score would have been a 750 or 760. I am targeting for MIT this year and some people recommended I re-take the test one more time. Since my Q score had room for improvement. I took the test last Friday (Sept 5) and got my 740. Still below my potential best score of 760 (Q:50, V 42), but still a solid 700+ score.

I am totally through with GMAT now.
Hope my story proves to be of some value.

Good luck to you all.

aj5105 · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

congratulations !

you did it !

nadontheway · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: nadontheway

Impressive. congrats! How did you manage your timing? Did you take courses for verbal as well? If not, how did you manage to get this good score?
All the best with your application!

bigsang · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: Re: nadontheway

[quote="nadontheway"]Impressive. congrats! How did you manage your timing? Did you take courses for verbal as well? If not, how did you manage to get this good score?
All the best with your application![/quote]

I took a 2 month course on the verbal section (CR & SC). This really helped build my confidence in CR, and I believed that CR was no longer an issue.
After working with the OG, I confirmed this was true.

The SC was really tricky, it took ALOT of problem solving to absorb the Gmat SC logic.

Not sure what you mean by "timing" though.

saran04322 · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:10 pm Post subject:

all these TEST scores are from REAL GMAT EXAM SCORES?? if yes,HATS OFF!!!

LSB · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Now that's what I call persistence. One could argue that taking the test so many times would be frowned upon.

I would give you a plus for commitment if I was an ad com

aj5105 · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

truly !

bh · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:16 am Post subject:

Hi I am in a very bad situation like you. My score is stuck at 640 with 29 in the verbal. I donot know what to do. I tried my best and I score more than 700 in manhattan tests and GMAT prep.

I think you would a good person to give me some good advice.

bh · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:17 am Post subject:

By the way. I really respect your determination, you would succeed in life with that kind of determination and will.

bigsang · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: Hope this helps....

[quote="bh"]Hi I am in a very bad situation like you. My score is stuck at 640 with 29 in the verbal. I donot know what to do. I tried my best and I score more than 700 in manhattan tests and GMAT prep.

I think you would a good person to give me some good advice.[/quote]

If I were you, I'd do an assesment of my verbal score. Analyze the problems you seem to miss. Not just by SC, CR or RC. There are many kinds of problems within these subsets. My quess is that your RC is your weakness. (but for you to confirm). And determine what kind of RC problems you seem to miss.

bjw02c1

Wow - persistence and commitment at its finest!

You have answered all of my questions: http://www.beatthegmat.com/540-ideas-to-break-600-t19145.html

Sure would be helpful if you posted something with regard to the exact "courses" etc. that aided in this phenomenal score. Others would be interested Very Happy

Congrats once again!

Brandon

bjw02c1

Wow - persistence and commitment at its finest!

You have answered all of my questions: http://www.beatthegmat.com/540-ideas-to-break-600-t19145.html

Sure would be helpful if you posted something with regard to the exact "courses" etc. that aided in this phenomenal score. Others would be interested Very Happy

Congrats once again!

Brandon