Well I know I didn't technically "beat the GMAT", but I got the score that I wanted for my master's applications (Duke MMS and UVA MS commerce)

first time...I did awful in quant and did okay in verbal ---> 580 Final
second time.... My quant went up like 10 points but my verbal dropped like crazy!---->590 Final (I was so upset at this point)

I retooled on verbal, and took a lot practice tests, 640 MGMAT, 650 MGMAT, 660MGMAT, 700 GMATPrep (inflated score at around 95th percentile in verbal)

Took the GMAT today... 660! 42Q 39V

By the way, this is for a 1 year masters program, not for an MBA program

I will take it again when I plan to get my MBA (I know I can break 700 and 80% on quant, I just need more study time)

By the way, I did this in 3 months while working full time as an engineer, networking for internships, and maintaining a somewhat healthy lifestyle (gym, going out, etc)

I've attached a verbal study guide (notes that I compiled from MGMAT sentence correction guide and Critical Reasoning Bible), hopefully it helps someone. It definitely helped me study.