I DID IT (720) the second time around!

RachelAL

This time I did it! I scored a 720, 96th percentile overall (90th percentile quant/85th percentile verbal/96th percentile overall) yesterday. Same as the Beat The GMAt site admin. Anyway, I was expecting to do much better on the verbal and not as well on the quant, but I will take it!

The first time I took the test, March 3rd, I scored a 650, 83rd percentile overall (73rd percentile quant/ 76th percentile verbal). I was disappointed and upset.

I took four practice tests the month before my first test and scored as follows:

1) 740 (MGMAT)
2) 700 (MGMAT)
3) 680 (GMATPrep)
4) 710 (GMATPrep)

The four practice tests I took before my second test, I scored as follows:

1) 680 (MGMAT)
2) 720 (MGMAT)
3) 690 (GMATPrep)
4) 740 (GMATPrep)

Most the practice tests I scored very well on the verbal, especially on MGMAT. However, on both the actual GMATs I did not score as well.

The first time I took the test I felt pretty good, like a had a good chance of breaking 700 (but didn't). The second time I was less confident, but did break 700! I certainly did not think I was doing that well on the math. I can't complain but I was hoping to break 90th percentile on my verbal, mostly because I was scoring so high on the practice tests. I think the MGMAT math is more difficult than the actual test but the MGMAT verbal is easier.

My study strategy was as follows:

Oct-Dec 2006: MGMAT Course

January - Feb 2007:
EVERY Math problem in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong, and was unsure of TWICE.

SOME of the verbal problems in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations.

I logged all my answers and times. I purchased a stop watch, this really helped me get my timing down. At first I was having trouble getting through quant section, but I learned how to move on from a problem. I was getting too attached and felt like I HAD to answer it, truth is, if you can't get it 2 minutes, you probably won't get in 3 or 4.

Feb: Four practice Exams, once a week

March 3rd: GMAT #1 (650)

SECOND STUDY ROUND
I realized I needed to practice the verbal more. I thought I had the verbal down, so I did not study that much at first.

March 2007:
The more difficult problems in OG Quantitative
The more difficult problems in OG Verbal (CR and RC)
Medium and difficult problems in OG Verbal (SC)
Again including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong and was unsure of TWICE. I logged my answers and times.
Four practice tests, once a week.

April 3rd: GMAT #2 720.

Hope this helps! I also hopes this encourages everyone to take the exam a second time if they do not do well the first time.

-Rachel

aim-wsc · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:44 am Post subject: congrats

ouch! such a poll that is Laughing

congratulations! Rachel Smile

we just had few successful second timers (read Fei )

beatthegmat · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Congrats Rachel! That's a very nice improvement you made.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

scoutkb · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject:

Amazing score! Congrats! How did the course workout for you? I just started last weekend. Did you use the MGMAT challenge problems? Or just stick to the math books and OG? Also, can you give me some times on how to "analyze" the problems? I read the explination and try to absove it. Is that about it? Did you use the MGMAT rephrase technique for DS?

RachelAL · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:01 am Post subject:

The course was good. However, I think the effort I put in after the course is what got me my score.

I did not use the MGMAT challenge problems. During the class I did the homework in only the OG Verbal and Quant books, leaving OG 11th edition for after the class (I took the test 2.5 months after the class was over). My personal opinion was that it was more important for me to get a handle on actual GMAT problems rather than challanging MGMAT problems. However, taking MGMAT's exams was really helpful. The math section on their exams are challanging. If you can master their math problems, you will gain the skills needed to master the GMAT math. I will say though, GMAT math seemed to deal with number properties a bit more than MGMAT (my experience). It is really your preference though, if you think you have the time to put into MGMAT challenge problems, please do. I personally felt it was more important to master actual GMAT problems. I used the MGMAT technique of rephrasing DS problems, but on my own terms. I made a point to rephrase whenever I could, but did not need their chapters to help me. Again, rephrasing was something I was comfortable with, but if you need help, I am sure the strategy guide chapters will work. But definitely rephrase when you can.

I think MGMAT gives some good tips, but in each case you need to assess whether their tip will work for you. For example, i did not love the VICs strategy (Variable In Choices), however, it is a great tip for those the strategy works for.

Also, MGMAT has some great time managing tips (for me the most difficult aspect of the test).

The MGMAT Sentence Correction guide is great! However, i found the MGMAT verbal exam problems to be much easier than actual GMAT problems. Again, my experience.

As for analyzing the GMAT problems, I did as you said. Here is more detail: First i did the problems. When reviewing problems I got right, I quickly went over how I solved them in my head, and then read how GMAT suggests solving it. Sometimes, my way made more sense to me. If GMATs way made more sense, I re-did the problem the way they suggested and marked it for a second round. For the problems I got wrong, I tried to re-do them with no time limit (I was timing myself on problems with a stop watch). Then I went over the answers and marked all questions I got wrong for a second round. Then when I completed all the problems I wanted to, I went back for the second round, and did all the problems I marked again... and again went over the solutions.

I think timing yourself during practice is important, get a stop watch for 10 bucks. I did not start timing myself until after the class was done (working on OG 11). I logged all my answers and the time it took me. If I made sure to guess and move on even in practice. Then for the second round of these questions, I made sure I can complete the problem in ~2 minutes.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Also, I would suggest taking the exam closer to the end of the class (compared to how long I waited). I think a month and half is good.

isisalaska · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:50 am Post subject:

Congratulations!
I hope my second time around is also good!
My strategy now is really analyze every single problem and work with a tutor in the quantittaive section.

scoutkb · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:45 am Post subject:

Awsome tips! Thanks for typing it all out. Information like this really helps refine the prep process. About how many hours did you devote to study during the week? I decided to drop my hours to 16 to 20 per week. I want to avoid burnout. I put in a considerable amount of work in SC and math to relearn the basics, so now i can focus on the GMAT problems. I also started taking notes on problems i miss and try to write down the main point that was stressed in a notebook. Hopefully that helps. What schools do you plan on applying to?

gabriel · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

.. congrats rachel .. u deserve it ....

perrin · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:33 am Post subject: How long to study for the GMAT?

Rachel,

Congrats on your score. I just have a question for you. I have only like 3 months to study for the GMAT. Do you think 3 months is enough time if I study 2 hrs. per day during the week and 10 hrs. on the weekend if I want to hit the 700 mark? or do you recommend I try and extend my study time over a longer period?

Thank you.