Since i joined this forum, it has been a source of encouragement and motivation (reading the posts of all those who have aced the test. Also learnt a lot from the suggestions of the founders and participants. However i thought not too many people who dont ace the test (ie get >700) write, hence decided to put down my experience so that the readers can see that there are people like me who dont get 700 but still dont give up.
I gave the GMAT after about a month and a half of preparation (serious prep that is). Used all the books recommended by this forum (OG, Princeton, Kaplan, Manhattan, Veritas). Thought i was good for atleast 650-680 score. Got 680 in my last Princeton CAT test.
Test day: AWA's went really well (still awaiting my scores). But i knew this was the easy part. The tough part (atleast for me)was the Quant part. And when i saw the first question, it looked quite innocuous,,,,but was i in for a surprise...tried and tried and tried (spent 10mins on my first question) and still could not solve it.
From thereon i knew i was fighting an uphill battle. 
Due to the lost time and frayed nerves i just was in a blazing hurry to answer the rest of the questions in the alloted time. Since i had read the posts and knew that the penalty for not answering was higher than getting wrong answers. Last 7-8 questions was just blind guessing due extreme shortage of time.Took the ten minute break. I am a pretty tough person mentally and know in life not everything can and will go as planned. Hence did some motiviational self talking to self and went in for the verbal intending to score max. Did pretty well in the first half i think, but my nemesis time shortage got me again in the latter part and was guessing on the last 5 questions.
Answered the background questions and then pressed on the "report score" button. Was expecting a score below 500 (with the way my quant went) so was not too disappointed or joyed (since like i said my target was a score nearer to 680) when i saw a score of 630.
Learnings: Did only self study and think i am lacking the finer points needed to crack the GMAT. Will take some professional coaching (have shortlisted Princeton one on one class) this time and am going to aim for above 700. (if after such an awful experience in Quant if i still could manage a 630 i think if i do both the quant and verbal well i think i can score around that region). My word of advise (for whatever it is worth....) to all people who dont get the desired score: Dont give up, this is a test as much of your intelligence as it is of your mental fortitude.
Need suggestions: Would really appreciate any and all advice anyone can give me. I used to spend about 1/2 hour everyday reading through the posts of people who had beaten the gmat to psyche myself up. Am planning to retake the test in 45 days time. I am 35 years old, happily married (though no kids) have 10 years exp in a German MNC. Have shown good progression. Started of as a trainee and am now a manager. Speak and write German. Have worked for short periods in Germany & Singapore. Have also done a two week internship in Los Angeles. I hope to have good recommendation letters from my bosses. With my age do you think i have any chance of getting into a top ten college in US if i get a score between 680-720????
Many thanks n best regards.
