Hello all,
I've been visiting the forums for the past two months on and off and this is my first post.
First a bit of background. I have an engineering background (grad. 4 years ago and working at the university so it's still relatively fresh), done the GRE a year and a half back and got Q:770 V:570 and was going for a PhD but the combination of recession and life choices made me change my mind and now I see the MBA as the more viable option for a career change.
I've been preparing for the GMAT for the past two months but on and off throughout each week using the GMAT Review 12th edition book. I took the diagnostic test before starting the preparation, and I got PS: above average, DS: average (note that I had never seen this type of questions before), RC:Above Average , CR, Average , and SC Average .First mistake during the following preparation was that I did not log my time appropriately, I was doing it vaguely for each group of questions I tackled. Second mistake, I did not keep an error log. I had a general feel of what problems I was missing but nothing concrete.
Today I took my first simulated test and I got slapped in the face
. My timing was all over the place. the Analytical writing part was fine. although I did not review or analyze my final responses.
The surprise was in the Quant: I could not finish on time and I got stuck on certain questions where I had to repeat the calculations several times until I figured that I was using the wrong assumptions ( the stock ratings question where you're asked how many stocks can you rate with 1 letter 2 letters and 3 letters with repetition) . I think I was under pressure from time and panicking. I missed the last 7 question and guessed the previous 3.
the second surprise was that I finished the verbal 15 minutes ahead of time.
The score is Q: 40 V: 39 total 650
I want a 700+ score as among my target schools I have LBS, Oxford , ... for a specialization in finance/strategic management
I understand now the importance of timing, but If anybody can provide advice or guidance on timing or on anything else I'd love to hear it as I just had my engineering ego slapped
My test is on 22 sep. 2010
Thanks a lot
Fadi
I've been visiting the forums for the past two months on and off and this is my first post.
First a bit of background. I have an engineering background (grad. 4 years ago and working at the university so it's still relatively fresh), done the GRE a year and a half back and got Q:770 V:570 and was going for a PhD but the combination of recession and life choices made me change my mind and now I see the MBA as the more viable option for a career change.
I've been preparing for the GMAT for the past two months but on and off throughout each week using the GMAT Review 12th edition book. I took the diagnostic test before starting the preparation, and I got PS: above average, DS: average (note that I had never seen this type of questions before), RC:Above Average , CR, Average , and SC Average .First mistake during the following preparation was that I did not log my time appropriately, I was doing it vaguely for each group of questions I tackled. Second mistake, I did not keep an error log. I had a general feel of what problems I was missing but nothing concrete.
Today I took my first simulated test and I got slapped in the face
. My timing was all over the place. the Analytical writing part was fine. although I did not review or analyze my final responses. The surprise was in the Quant: I could not finish on time and I got stuck on certain questions where I had to repeat the calculations several times until I figured that I was using the wrong assumptions ( the stock ratings question where you're asked how many stocks can you rate with 1 letter 2 letters and 3 letters with repetition) . I think I was under pressure from time and panicking. I missed the last 7 question and guessed the previous 3.
the second surprise was that I finished the verbal 15 minutes ahead of time.
The score is Q: 40 V: 39 total 650
I want a 700+ score as among my target schools I have LBS, Oxford , ... for a specialization in finance/strategic management
I understand now the importance of timing, but If anybody can provide advice or guidance on timing or on anything else I'd love to hear it as I just had my engineering ego slapped
My test is on 22 sep. 2010
Thanks a lot
Fadi
