I just Beat The GMAT!

Background:
I'm a pretty good test taker. I got a 1510 on SAT and have done well on standardized tests. However, it has been 5 years since graduating from college, so my math and grammar skills are dated.

Preparation:
I started studying about 3 weeks before the test while working, and took 4 days off and studied full days right before the test. I studied a total of around 80 hours I think. I took a official practice exam first (from the one you can download on the GMAT web site), and scored a 710. I did almost perfect on RC and CR, but only 40% on SC in verbal. I did so-so in Math, making a few silly mistakes. For studying, I used only the MG books. I read the SC book from cover to cover twice and reviewed it once. I reviewed all the math guides once. I left the RC and CR guides untouched. I three MG computer tests during this time. I scored between a 740 and 770 on all. I took a second official GMAT practice before the exam and scored a 780.

Test:
The math section I screwed up on. I worked fast and by the time I was done with half the questions, I was well ahead of time, so I slowed down for the second half and started to double check my work. Unfortunately, I slowed down too much, and had to guess on the last 2 questions. Verbal I felt like I did really well even before seeing the results. I ended up with 49 Q 47 V 760 Total. I felt I could have gotten a 770 or 780 if I had timed my quant better.

Lessons:
Other than the obvious blunder in the math timing, I would have adjusted my study schedule. I would have skipped the MG tests -- they do not represent the real test in quant (MG questions are way too difficult and take too many steps versus the real thing) and verbal (MG answers I found debatable -- the real test I found the answers clear). Instead, I would have taken the practice test, reviewed the MG guides as I did, but instead of taking the MG tests, I would have done all of the OG questions (I didn't do many). The timing problem that I had was because the MG math section was so difficult, that I was used to working through problems much faster than required on the real test. Rest I would have kept the same.

Good luck.

congrats buddy.. u rocked verbals..!!!

Congratulations man!! That's pretty awesome score. I would have like better quant score though just kidding. Congrats.