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siddaggarwal
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:56 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
- GMAT Score:710
Thank god.....I will start with what I did it will take me time...
The main thing for ALL of you is to realize that no matter what it is ALL up to you. You cannot blame anyone or anything for your score but you have to realize YOU CAN score what you need to be successful. It takes Tenacity, determination, belief, enthusiasm, humility, faith in your respective GOD.....and most of all DESIRE!!!!
1st attempt July 22, 2010-
Started serious studying in early June. I had been on and off studying GMAT since June 2009...but I had not seriously focused until I registered June 10, 2010. I had another exam to study for that was on July 1, 2010 but I got that done while studying for the GMAT. I would study GMAT 1-2 hours a night in June and bumped it up to 3 hours a day or more in July. My result of 620 was not great but I was happy because I thought it was good enough for certain schools like UT Dallas and SMU and Baylor and TCU but I was wrong. Its a good score but since the market is so competitive a 620 is not what it was a few years ago. I needed at least a 660 to compete with all my dream schools.
I registered in September 2010 for the GMAT exam due to family pressure and internal guilt and pressure about not succeeding on the test (and consequentially in life)...This was a BAD idea. Never register for the GMAT until you feel READY for the exam. Registering for the exam does motivate you and make you study harder but its a false motivation and not a real indicator of your TRUE PASSION and DESIRE TO DO WELL...That is the goal. I read once, a girl wrote you have to be excited to take the GMAT and want it more than anything. I was NOT feeling that on Sept. 11, 2010 when I registered. I got a 600 as a bonus on my ACTUAL test on October 19, 2010 when I took it. I thought I was more prepared and leaner and hungrier for this test but ended up doing worse. Some of my family predicted this and I was angry and bitter that they were right. But the blame falls squarely on me...
After the October GMAT I focused on my new job that started the next week. I went to a business seminar that helped me boost my business acumen, networking and confidence. I forgot about the GMAT although I occaisionally studied for it through November/December when I had time. Honestly though, I had lost hope and seriousness. Incredulous my family though I was joking when I said I'd take it for a 3rd time. I am glad I chose to.
I went to India after 6 years in January 2011. It was a much need trip needed to see an 88 year old grandmother and a 75 year old uncle (who was in WORSE health than her)......after 6 years...I saw them both ( I also got to see Paris, France for 2 days and a bit of India and Amsterdam, Holland as well. )While I was in India I learned more business acumen while doing an internship/apprenticeship at a factory in my local neighborhood. The fact that I am American born and spoke fluent English and Hindi helped me in India. This trip was 3-4 weeks. I planned to study GMAT while I was over there...not due to laziness but sheer business I didn't crack open my book.
The best thing happened to me ever was that. I came back to the US in mid Feb 2011 refreshed and refocused....sadly my uncle who was sick died a few days later and that changed everything for me. I was glad I went to India despite my failures. I knew I had a purpose in my life. I diligently studied GMAT for the next 2.5 months from Feb 2011 to May 9, 2011....I was working 2 jobs (one full time one part time) and I did cut out stupid stuff from my life like Facebook and movies and TV (although its HARD I admit that).......Fortunately my gf ( I am glad I have her in my life) decided to go to Navy Boot Camp....while she was gone she couldnt talk to me for 8-9 weeks except one phone call and a couple of letters.... This was a perfect timing in my life where I was able to focus on my GMAT and not have to worry about her....she was focused on her Navy career and not on me...it was great...
to sum it up...my studying was more organized and structured and I got great advice from a cousin who is a Columbia MBA grad...it helps alot to have smart friends or relatives...
I ended up getting a 710 WAYY higher than my target score of 660-690.....I never expected this score but I am glad...
In retrospect I feel that I could have gotten a 720-730 if I had busted my butt a bit more so I guess I should use that as motivation in my life to keep working harder ......
more to be added....
The main thing for ALL of you is to realize that no matter what it is ALL up to you. You cannot blame anyone or anything for your score but you have to realize YOU CAN score what you need to be successful. It takes Tenacity, determination, belief, enthusiasm, humility, faith in your respective GOD.....and most of all DESIRE!!!!
1st attempt July 22, 2010-
Started serious studying in early June. I had been on and off studying GMAT since June 2009...but I had not seriously focused until I registered June 10, 2010. I had another exam to study for that was on July 1, 2010 but I got that done while studying for the GMAT. I would study GMAT 1-2 hours a night in June and bumped it up to 3 hours a day or more in July. My result of 620 was not great but I was happy because I thought it was good enough for certain schools like UT Dallas and SMU and Baylor and TCU but I was wrong. Its a good score but since the market is so competitive a 620 is not what it was a few years ago. I needed at least a 660 to compete with all my dream schools.
I registered in September 2010 for the GMAT exam due to family pressure and internal guilt and pressure about not succeeding on the test (and consequentially in life)...This was a BAD idea. Never register for the GMAT until you feel READY for the exam. Registering for the exam does motivate you and make you study harder but its a false motivation and not a real indicator of your TRUE PASSION and DESIRE TO DO WELL...That is the goal. I read once, a girl wrote you have to be excited to take the GMAT and want it more than anything. I was NOT feeling that on Sept. 11, 2010 when I registered. I got a 600 as a bonus on my ACTUAL test on October 19, 2010 when I took it. I thought I was more prepared and leaner and hungrier for this test but ended up doing worse. Some of my family predicted this and I was angry and bitter that they were right. But the blame falls squarely on me...
After the October GMAT I focused on my new job that started the next week. I went to a business seminar that helped me boost my business acumen, networking and confidence. I forgot about the GMAT although I occaisionally studied for it through November/December when I had time. Honestly though, I had lost hope and seriousness. Incredulous my family though I was joking when I said I'd take it for a 3rd time. I am glad I chose to.
I went to India after 6 years in January 2011. It was a much need trip needed to see an 88 year old grandmother and a 75 year old uncle (who was in WORSE health than her)......after 6 years...I saw them both ( I also got to see Paris, France for 2 days and a bit of India and Amsterdam, Holland as well. )While I was in India I learned more business acumen while doing an internship/apprenticeship at a factory in my local neighborhood. The fact that I am American born and spoke fluent English and Hindi helped me in India. This trip was 3-4 weeks. I planned to study GMAT while I was over there...not due to laziness but sheer business I didn't crack open my book.
The best thing happened to me ever was that. I came back to the US in mid Feb 2011 refreshed and refocused....sadly my uncle who was sick died a few days later and that changed everything for me. I was glad I went to India despite my failures. I knew I had a purpose in my life. I diligently studied GMAT for the next 2.5 months from Feb 2011 to May 9, 2011....I was working 2 jobs (one full time one part time) and I did cut out stupid stuff from my life like Facebook and movies and TV (although its HARD I admit that).......Fortunately my gf ( I am glad I have her in my life) decided to go to Navy Boot Camp....while she was gone she couldnt talk to me for 8-9 weeks except one phone call and a couple of letters.... This was a perfect timing in my life where I was able to focus on my GMAT and not have to worry about her....she was focused on her Navy career and not on me...it was great...
to sum it up...my studying was more organized and structured and I got great advice from a cousin who is a Columbia MBA grad...it helps alot to have smart friends or relatives...
I ended up getting a 710 WAYY higher than my target score of 660-690.....I never expected this score but I am glad...
In retrospect I feel that I could have gotten a 720-730 if I had busted my butt a bit more so I guess I should use that as motivation in my life to keep working harder ......
more to be added....
Last edited by siddaggarwal on Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:17 am, edited 3 times in total.
