Story of my 720, two long years and 5 attempts

I gave my GMAT the fifth time yesterday and scored 720 (Q49, V40). I am elated, satisfied and still over the moon since GMAT prep has been a major part of life during the last 2 years.

Background Info: I am a Pakistani national and 29 years old. I graduated from a local engineering university. I have been working with Standard Chartered bank, a British bank, in Pakistan for last 7 years. I started my career as a sales executive in branch banking and last June moved out of branch banking as a branch manager. I have worked in the capacity of a manager for more than 3 years and have managed teams of more than 12 people. Currently I am working in a two year sales management project as a coach. In my current role, I am required to implement the new sales model across 144 branches of Pakistan.

Target schools: Before starting the preparation for GMAT, I was targeting 11-20 ranked US schools along with one or two top 10 schools. My target score was 700-710.

GMAT history:

I started preparing for GMAT in Nov 2009. In Pakistan, we only have one preparation option available in the form of Princeton. At Princeton, along with the Princeton prep material, I was provided with official GMAT guide.

1st GMAT attempt(650(Q43,V37))in March 2010:

I prepared only from Princeton material and Official GMAT guide in the first attempt. I only used Princeton and Powerprep tests for preparation. On the actual test, I found the quantitative section to be quite difficult. In short, I was not adequately prepared.

2nd GMAT attempt (600(Q47,V27)) in Dec 2010:

I started studying again in Oct 2010. I downloaded GMAT prep and prepared extensively by taking one month break from the office. The night before the test, I could not sleep the whole night because of tension. The test was in early morning around 9. Quantitative section went well. However, I had a migraine attack during the 8 minute break after the quantitative section. I barely managed to sit through the verbal section. The verbal score is quite reflective of my condition that day.

3rd GMAT attempt (640(Q42,V37)) in feb 2011:

The second test result did not dishearten me. I knew I could score better. I again prepared using the same material and gave GMAT prep tests again. My prep scores were in the range of 670 to 720. I was about to be married by the mid of February. However, I chose to go ahead with the test. The result shattered me. I messed up on the timing of the Quantitative section and ended up missing two questions.

I was very disappointed after my third attempt. I had given this test more than 1 year of life, admittedly with a six month break in 2010, and was still no where close to my target score of 700. In addition to my poor performance on the Quantitative section, my score in the verbal section was still stuck around 37.

My family members asked me to go ahead with the 650 score and apply to Australian and Canadian business schools. They were of the opinion that 650 reflected my maximum potential in terms of GMAT and my job profile would help me to get admission in a good Canadian and Australian business school.

I spoke with my Princeton instructor after the third attempt. He advised me to take a few months break and get GMAT out of my system.

I acted on his advice and gave up on GMAT for few months. Recently married, my daily routine and social life changed. My wife, though perfectly happy with the 650 score, encouraged me not to give up on my dream. She said that if I truly believe in myself that I could get 700 plus, I should not listen to anyone.

4th GMAT attempt (680(Q44,V40)) in Jan 2012:

I started preparing again in Oct 2011. I downloaded Manhattan GMAT tests after hearing good reviews from other test takers. Manhattan GMAT books were not available in Paksitan. I did buy Kaplan premier 2012 book.

I found the maths section of Kaplan premier 2012 book pretty useful. I learnt few new quantitative techniques. Kaplan tests, however, were a disappointment. The quantitative section was too easy and verbal too hard, both sections non-representative of the actual test.

I started with Manhattan GMAT tests afterword. The quantitative section again was too time consuming and non-representative of the actual test. I used to finish only 30 questions in the allocated 75 minutes. However, the extra effort that I used to put in the quantitative section on time helped me nicely with my timing on the GMAT prep quantitative section. The verbal section of the Manhattan GMAT was truly beneficial and comparable to actual test. My practice tests scores were in the range of 660 to 720.

I gave GMAT prep tests again after a period of 10 months and score in the range of 720 to 750. Quite content that I had reached the the level that I was targeting, I registered for my fourth attempt.

I again messed on my my timing on the Quantitative section. The end result, although an improvement, was not satisfying. I knew I had the potential to score more than 700. I decided to give the test again in one months time.

5th GMAT attempt (720(Q49,V40)) in Mar 2012:

After my fourth attempt, I contracted first Hepatitis A and then typhoid. So, I was in bed for six weeks. After recovering sufficiently, I registered for GMAT about two weeks ago.

I gave the test yesterday. After the Quantitative section, I felt pretty confident as it was my best performance in all my five attempts. I knew that verbal was my strength. However, I sort of struggled on the verbal section. I found myself stuck between 2 choices on several CR and RC questions. Due to time shortage at the end, I did not properly read the last RC and wrongly answered 2 questions.

Before selecting to report my scores, I knew that I had messed up this time on the verbal section and my score again would be from 650 to 680. However, when 720 flashed on the screen, I could not believe it. I almost wept and started to shiver. Then I laid down my head and let the moment sink in. It meant so much to me. I had given two years of my life to this and had faced too many disappointments.

My humble pointers for other test takers:

1) GMAT official guide is the best material available. Contrary to other people's opinion, I found both the quantitative and verbal section questions comparable to actual test questions. I only used Princeton, Kaplan premier 2012 and GMAT official guide during my preparation.

2) Manhattan tests are like gold. The Quantitative section helps you to set up your timing for actual test and the verbal section is the closest comparison you will find to the actual test after GMAT prep.

4) GMAT prep is the best preparatory material available hands down. I found the SC slightly tough on the actual test but rest of the sections are exactly the same in difficulty.

5) Give Manahattan GMAT tests before GMAT prep tests as Manhattan tests build up your timing. In the last two weeks before the actual test, only focus on GMAT prep.

6) In addition to the six well known SC rules, the SC on actual test is more about the intended meaning of the sentence and whether the chosen answer sounds right. Sadly, I learnt this after giving my 3rd attempt.

7) Develop your own method for CR and RC. In CR, I used to read the question before the argument. I ended up using negation test all the time on assumption questions. The important thing on CR is to chose the answer that strengthens, weakens or shows the argument's assumption. Key word is the argument that the author is trying to develop. Other answer choices may be in the scope of the CR question but not part of the argument. I hope I am able to convey what I meant to say.

8) Try to remain calm during the test. I know it is easy to say but my poor performance on the actual quantitative test sections was a reflection of my nervousness. I spoke to myself a lot before the 5th test and as a result was reasonably calm during the last attempt.

9) Attempt the GMAT prep tests along with AWA questions. I started doing this before my fourth attempt and it helped me to build my stamina.

10) Last but not the least, do not give up and keep believing in yourself. If you truly believe that you can do it, do not listen to anyone but yourself.

I know it is a long post but I hope my experience helps some one else.

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