For my first attempt, I used OG 11, OG 12, OG Verbal, OG Quants and KAPLAN GMAT 800. During practice, I timed 10 to 20 questions at a time, I did well in this controlled setting but I got only about 70% of the questions correct in the verbal section.
I tried 4 mock tests from Manhattan online and all ended up in the range between 610 and 640. I had trouble managing time in the full-length mock tests; I was getting around 5 or 6 questions wrong in a row either in the middle or at the end of each section. I realized I had to work on time management in the full-length test, but then it was too late with my exam date, application deadline, etc., I got a dismal 610 (Q44 & V31) in my first attempt, I was disheartened to say the least.
Nevertheless I decided to take a break for few months, and start preparing from scratch. This time I methodically completed all 8 Manhattan strategy guides, Manhattan Advanced Quants and PowerScore CR and SC guides. For practice questions, I systematically completed all OG11, OG12, VR and QR by working out about 60 problems per day (with at least 30 problems in a stretch) about 4 days a week. The whole preparation took about 3 months and I spent about 4 hrs per day during this preparation phase. I spent considerable time in my weak areas (CR, DS and SC), out of all I really loved working out the Manhattan Advanced quants problem. It raised my confidence quite a bit, it was almost like training in high altitude for a race! I don't think there will be too many problems at this level of difficulty in the actual exam, but when you do get couple of 750+ level quant problems, you'll have the confidence to face them.
2nd Attempt:
My second attempt was scheduled for October 25th last year, although I reached a 700 score in one of the mock tests and 680 in a VertitasPrep test, my final score was not very impressive. I scored 640 (Q47 & V31) and I couldn't believe that with all this preparation I managed only a 3 point increase in Quants and nothing at all in Verbal! Well, there's got to be a reason right... The first thing I did was to schedule another appointment for my 3rd attempt in December - I didn't want to miss the admission deadlines for the second round this year! Used the Manhattan mock test tools to compare my performance in each section individually! Went through the questions I did wrong systematically.
My final go:
I realized my CR performance was quite OK (85% - 90% correct answers) but I was not reaching the 700+ problems at all in verbal mainly because I make frequent mistakes in SC and sometimes I get a whole RC passage wrong. Well, I was quite tired from the whole GMAT experience and I just wanted to give it up many times but there's always this ONE LAST THING that you want to try and hope will tturn the tide in your favor - The e-GMAT online prep materials did turn it around for me.
Having exhausted all my prep materials, I decided to enroll for the e-GMAT online course (Not the full course but the basic SC-CR-RC package), planned to practice just the verbal part for the next 2 months. But, life had it otherwise! My wife had some unavoidable health issues to attend to and she was confined to the bed for about 2 weeks, with a child and a full time job, trust me it was not the best time of my life to prepare for the GMAT! Well, you got to do what you got to do! I restarted my prep in the last week of November and put considerable time in e-GMAT materials. I would say that it was the turning point in my prep. I could really focus on my weak areas (SC) and fine-tune specific question types in RC section. I didn't worry too much about my quants. Once in a while I did few quants problems just to keep the momentum.
On the day of the exam:
My exam center was about 2 hrs from my place, I didn't want to spend my time driving / taking a ride on the day of the exam (On my second attempt, I spent about an hr and half commuting to my exam center, looking back I don't think it was a smart idea especially if you are not used to commuting on a regular basis!). This time, I stayed in a hotel close-by, all went smoothly in the morning. I calmed myself well before the exam and I also knew this will be my last attempt given the timeframe, application deadlines, etc.,
I kept myself calm throughout the exam, Quants for some reason I thought was too easy! I was even worried thinking I should have spent some more time on quants prep in this attempt! I thought I blew the quants part. I was able to complete the section in time, took the break after the quants section, had my banana and chocolate. I remember telling myself that it is OK and I can only focus on the verbal section for now. It was difficult but I closed my eyes for few minutes and tried to stay calm. Verbal started on a high note, I seemed to be doing well in the beginning and at some point in the middle I found it quite difficult. From all my previous unsuccessful attempts I knew this is not a good sign. For all you know, I may even be getting few question wrong in a stretch. Went through the process, was able to complete the section just in time and anxious as hell, I filled in the questionnaire at the end of the exam and then came the final screen.................! Wow, it was such a relief! I scored 720 (Q47 & V41)!
Trust me, the feeling when you see your final score is all worth the time and effort you put into the prep.....
In summary:
- Practice, practice and practice
- Analyze and systematically approach your weak areas,
- Try to approach the exam holistically,
- Timing in each section is critical - different people work well with different styles. For me what worked the best is timing every 5 questions in Quants section (5 questions per 10 minutes) and every 8 questions in Verbal section (8 questions per 15 minutes). Find the one that best suits you and practice few times with that timing.
- e-GMAT worked the best for me in improving my SC section, it may not be the holy-grail for GMAT but I can definitely recommend it to you if you are stuck in the 30s in Verbal.
- Manhattan Advanced Quants is good for 750+ Quants
- I would definitely recommend Aristotle RC, if you have trouble in that section (it has several exam like passages)
- For mock tests, practice at least 2 full-length tests with AWA and IR
- Read the success stories - it boosts your morale
- Don't give up, with proper practice anyone can crack the GMAT.
Above all, you need someone who believes in you and who can support you in this journey. For me it was my wonderful wife! Without her support I don't think I would have come anywhere close to this. She whole-heartedly believed in me and made it possible. This has been our journey together! She never once complained the long hours I spent in the library to practice or the chores she had to pick up in my absence! You need this someone who can believe in you when you are at your lowest ebb! She really thinks I deserve a 750+ score and I should give it another go!
Now, I do think that 750+ is a reachable target but at times you just have to move on
It's a journey I can now look back with satisfaction - not just because of the results but because I managed to hold on till the end.
Now, for those who have come this far reading my post ...
It's my time to give back to this wonderful community of supporters! You are all rock stars! you have been a great source of strength and support to me! I'd like to give away my books to those who need it (of course for free including the postage!)
Here's the list of books I used in my prep, contact me at [email protected] if you need a specific book. (To be fair, I will reserve 1 book /person) :
1. Official Guide Review 12th Edition
2. Official Guide Review 11th Edition
3. Official Guide Review 13th Edition (SC Alone with solutions)
4. Kaplan Premier 2012-2013
5. Kaplan Premier (2006 Ed.)
6. Kaplan Verbal Workbook
7. GMAT 800 (2008-2009 Ed) - Not very useful in my opinion.
VERBAL
8. Official Guide GMAT Verbal
9. Manhattan CR Strategy Guide
10. Manhattan RC Strategy Guide
11. Manhattan SC Strategy Guide
12. Manhattan - Foundations of GMAT Verbal
13. PowerScore CR Bible
- Must if CR is your weak area. Covers key topics in 13 chapters
14. PowerScore SC Bible
15. Aristotle RC Guide
16. Aristotle SC Grail (practice questions alone!)
QUANTS
17. Official Guide Quants Review
18. Manhattan Series of 5 Strategy Guides
- Guide 1: Number Properties
Guide 2: Fractions, Decimals and Percents
Guide 3: Equations, Inequalities and VICs
Guide 4: Word Translations
Guide 5: Geometry
19. Manhattan Advanced Quants - Must if you are scoring around ~44 on Quants section and want to gain another 3 or 4 points!
Integrated Reasoning
20. Manhattan Integrated Reasoning and Essays Guide
