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quarterpounder
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 3:36 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Thanked: 1 times
- GMAT Score:710
Hey all, this is my first post but I've been reading the forums for the past couple of months.
I am actually still touching up my undergrad (one last course to do, it's been a part time venture for the past 8 years.. yikes) But I decided in the last 5 or 6 months that I wanted to do an MBA.
after doing a little research, I learned that one of the schools I'm targetting needs a slightly higher GMAT score since my undergrad is a 3 year, rather than 4. So based on that, my goal was 600.
I booked the test a few months ago, ran out and bought the OG 12 with both supplements. I knew that Quant would be my weakpoint so I targetted that immediately. The OG wasn't doing it for me, I needed something that would help me with concepts. I ran out and bought the Kaplan GMAT math workbook.
We have a newborn at home (she was born April 17) and that's around the time I started studying, so I knew my studying would be compromised. Basically, I went through the Kaplan book page by page, cover to cover. I really needed help on the math.
Once I was done the math book, I was only a few weeks out from test day, so I took one of the GMAC prep tests, I got a 590, I know my goals were not too lofty, so I wasn't too worried. I went back over the areas I made mistakes on in the math.
Next, I did the free Manhattan test, I managed a 590 again. Many people said that I could expect to see a relatively lower score on this test, so I treated that as an improvement. I went back and looked over my errors in math.
After that, I did the free Kaplan test (yes, I'm a cheapskate studier) and managed a 600. I was a little nervous, since I know these tests have margins of error that could be up or down. Again, I went over my math errors.
Next up was the GMAC prep test number 2, I managed a 640, this was earlier this week. That gave me a little confidence, I figured I'd be within my margin of error. I looked over the math errors again.
I didn't look at anything the rest of the week, and I decided just to go over some of my completed tests yesterday, nothing made sense to me, I figured my brain was scrambled since the baby didn't sleep well, and I generally avoid any type of studying within 48 hours of a test, so that was a mistake, I started to worry, my wife had to calm me down.
I managed a good nights sleep last night and got up, had some oatmeal, a peach, and some tea (Indian man has to have his chai) and headed off to the test centre.
Writing the exam, I didn't necessarily feel better than I did while doing the practice tests, so when my score popped up, I was very surprised.
The big differences were, I had a quiet, controlled test environment.
At home, when I would study, or do practice tests, I had a sometimes agitated baby just upstairs. she's small, but she's got a healthy set of lungs.
When I did practice tests, I'd do everything straight through, it can wear you out. Today, I made it a point to take full advantage of my allotted breaks. they came in handy, to clear my mind and re-charge. Make sure you do the same, keep some snacks in your locker, have some water, it really made a difference.
All in all, I'm thrilled, pleasantly surprised at my score. I think it opens up some options, I can probably apply to a wider range of schools. My top choice probably remains the same though, but we'll see what happens when i start doing some more research. Now at least I have a couple months away from any studying/academics before I start the last course of the bachelors in September.
Sorry for the long post, but I figured I'd share.
In addition to any studying I did, I was glued to the forums, reading the questions and the explanations from the pros on the site. That probably was one of the greatest helps. the BTG community has some serious talent, I encourage anyone who is studying for the GMAT to take full advantage.
Hopefully I'll eventually be posting in to the Admissions forums!
I am actually still touching up my undergrad (one last course to do, it's been a part time venture for the past 8 years.. yikes) But I decided in the last 5 or 6 months that I wanted to do an MBA.
after doing a little research, I learned that one of the schools I'm targetting needs a slightly higher GMAT score since my undergrad is a 3 year, rather than 4. So based on that, my goal was 600.
I booked the test a few months ago, ran out and bought the OG 12 with both supplements. I knew that Quant would be my weakpoint so I targetted that immediately. The OG wasn't doing it for me, I needed something that would help me with concepts. I ran out and bought the Kaplan GMAT math workbook.
We have a newborn at home (she was born April 17) and that's around the time I started studying, so I knew my studying would be compromised. Basically, I went through the Kaplan book page by page, cover to cover. I really needed help on the math.
Once I was done the math book, I was only a few weeks out from test day, so I took one of the GMAC prep tests, I got a 590, I know my goals were not too lofty, so I wasn't too worried. I went back over the areas I made mistakes on in the math.
Next, I did the free Manhattan test, I managed a 590 again. Many people said that I could expect to see a relatively lower score on this test, so I treated that as an improvement. I went back and looked over my errors in math.
After that, I did the free Kaplan test (yes, I'm a cheapskate studier) and managed a 600. I was a little nervous, since I know these tests have margins of error that could be up or down. Again, I went over my math errors.
Next up was the GMAC prep test number 2, I managed a 640, this was earlier this week. That gave me a little confidence, I figured I'd be within my margin of error. I looked over the math errors again.
I didn't look at anything the rest of the week, and I decided just to go over some of my completed tests yesterday, nothing made sense to me, I figured my brain was scrambled since the baby didn't sleep well, and I generally avoid any type of studying within 48 hours of a test, so that was a mistake, I started to worry, my wife had to calm me down.
I managed a good nights sleep last night and got up, had some oatmeal, a peach, and some tea (Indian man has to have his chai) and headed off to the test centre.
Writing the exam, I didn't necessarily feel better than I did while doing the practice tests, so when my score popped up, I was very surprised.
The big differences were, I had a quiet, controlled test environment.
At home, when I would study, or do practice tests, I had a sometimes agitated baby just upstairs. she's small, but she's got a healthy set of lungs.
When I did practice tests, I'd do everything straight through, it can wear you out. Today, I made it a point to take full advantage of my allotted breaks. they came in handy, to clear my mind and re-charge. Make sure you do the same, keep some snacks in your locker, have some water, it really made a difference.
All in all, I'm thrilled, pleasantly surprised at my score. I think it opens up some options, I can probably apply to a wider range of schools. My top choice probably remains the same though, but we'll see what happens when i start doing some more research. Now at least I have a couple months away from any studying/academics before I start the last course of the bachelors in September.
Sorry for the long post, but I figured I'd share.
In addition to any studying I did, I was glued to the forums, reading the questions and the explanations from the pros on the site. That probably was one of the greatest helps. the BTG community has some serious talent, I encourage anyone who is studying for the GMAT to take full advantage.
Hopefully I'll eventually be posting in to the Admissions forums!
