Numerous times before, I read similar stories before my very eyes, on this very forum, especially stories that said, “from 6*0 to 7*0”, and now I have experienced it myself and it does feel like a dream. I used to think that such stories were gimmicks, posted by the website managers to raise the number of clicks on this website, but now I can assure you guys that at least one of them is not, mine. The feeling you get when you see the magic number SEVEN in front of the 2 progressively insignificant digits is amazing. A sense of relief from a lot of pressure and a delivering on a promise, a promise from ‘me’ to ‘me’, probably apt for EVERYONE who has ever prepared for this very GMAT.
Final score [710 V: 35 Q: 50 A5.5]
BACKGROUND
I took the GMAT the first time exactly 3 months ago [620 V28 Q48 A6.0], I had prepared for the GMAT some 3-4 months prior to that. Although I had screwed up on my GMAT, I made a resolve to move on with the whole GMAT thing, and start my own company and all. Now that was one thing I did not do! Partly because I got a financially good offer to go to the Middle East and partly because I discovered that executing ideas is very different in the real world from what we sketch in our thoughts. I started to realize that I needed a lot of things for making it happen, esp. after reading stories of a few people online. Things such as financial management know-how, knowledge to weigh risks and anticipate returns, networks/contacts, a brand name like an MBA degree from a decent institution and know-how about various elements of fields that I could possibly venture into, amalgamating my own. That’s why I thought I should apply this year and re-take the GMAT. I took a couple of weeks off from my assignment in the Middle East and went to India (my home) to prepare. My job is very stressful here; I manage a lot of things including office politics. No time/mental concentration to prepare for the GMAT here. And yes the harsh weather doesn’t help much either.
RE-TEST PREPARATION SCHEDULE
The first few days of the 2 weeks I just chilled out watching television, and going around all over my hometown, visiting relatives/friends. The next 3 days studied [8-10 hrs]. The next 5 days watched every ball of the First Test between Ind vs Aus., because work wears you a lot, and I was watching live cricket after a long time. Then I finally studied for a few more days. So, I studied for 7 days in all [8-10 hours a day] after my first fiasco.
IDENTIFYING THE LEAKS
The most important thing for re-takers is to identify your weak points and improve on it.
My weaknesses were as follows;
1) My timing especially in Verbal was terrible, I often missed about 8-12 questions in the mock tests.
2) For SCs I mostly couldn’t figure out which rule to apply, most seemed general questions to me.
3) Basically I am very strong at Maths, once I scored a 50 in a Kaplan test, with 49 in most others. So a 48 on the actual test wasn’t the most delightful score.
4) I was sometimes psyched to do my best in questions, be it AWA, Q or V. So, sometimes I devoted a bit too much mental strength on these, and something being emotionally involved.
SEALING THE GAPS
I address my weaknesses in the foll. ways:-
1) To improve timing I used the question vs timing GRID, that I learnt from this website, something like this:
M: 5 (66) 10 (56) 15 (46) ….
V: 5 (66) 10 (57) 15 (48) ….
Then I thut my reading speed must improve too, and so shud comprehension speed for difficult texts. So I extensively read McKinsey Quarterly online articles, a lot of them about 30, economist articles, general American articles like the civil rights movement, sociology articles etc etc. [Also changed my glasses, it had gone up a few decimals in number in this while, which I wasn’t aware of]
2) For SC I worked out the Violet OG, read forum answers (manhattan gmat forum only the real OG section, 3 pages). Read once the explanations for OG11 again.
3) For Maths, I printed 6 square papers, laminated it, used a laser pen and nail polish remover, and practiced the GREEN OG.
[My original trademark idea R applicable for those who find the rough erasable sheets irritating]
Reviewed the RS Agarwal book only on the last day, 3 hours, practiced formulas [I could do this as my exam was at 5:30 pm]
4) Took 4 tests in all, and the last one with essays [ I had taken lots of tests for my first attempt though, and had done every material on earth ]
MGMAT 1: 660
GPREP 1: 680
MGMAT 2: 680
GPREP 2: 680
Learnt 2 things from these tests:
a) Learn the art of when to quit. Be if after 4-5 mins.(get a mental timer), or if you are deviating from the GRID, which you wud know in every 5th question.
b) Don’t slog hard while you are taking the test. For example, like writing a whole essay paragraph in the last 2 mins, can wear you off for the next section i.e. Q and doing 6 questions in the last 9 mins in Q might affect V. So always have a smooth finish.
CONCLUSION:
All the best for those struggling to find the right cord. Well after you get it, it does seem sweet and paves the way for more challenges ahead, like the applications R1 or R2.
The following link will give you guys a glimpse on my profile [for those of you who are interested, for the other side after the GMAT]
https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/do- ... t5228.html
APPOLOGIES:
Millions of apologies if this article is not so well written, actually I am posting my first draft, as I don’t have much time, busy with applications and office work. I am just doing this for the sake of only one thing, a promise from ‘me’ to ‘me’
