I just Beat The GMAT!

19 Feb, shockingly, turned out to be one of the most challenging day of my life. First, the heartbreaking figure on screen: 640(49Q, 28V); second, crestfallen news: my niece passed away. I came back from home today only. I am still trying to come out of all that. Just visited BTG after a long time, read the success story of Logitec (a great inspiring guy), and mustered the strength to post my story too. I want to share my feeling with people on this forum, who can understand the feelings.

I will not say my preparation started when I register for GMAT, but rather it started long back – around 3 years back. Although I am from engineering background, Computer Science, I was always very weak in English. I didn’t even know the difference between do and does, and has and have (believe me). After joining the corporate world, I realized that to prosper in this competitive world, English is must, at least in India. I started reading vocabulary builders, dictionaries, thesaurus, newspapers, magazine, and novels, reading grammar books, and practicing fast reading skills. However, I never read with MBA in mind. Last year, I felt that I am at a level where I can try for MBA too. I took CAT – an exam to get admission in IIMs, the most premier institutes for MBA in India. Soon I realized that clearing CAT will take a lot more time because of its vast syllabus and cut-throat competition. I am already 27 years old with 5 years of solid experience. Hence, GMAT is the best option for me.

I started preparation in November and in 1st week of December booked the test date: 19-Feb-2009, Thursday (supposedly lucky day). Decided to give everything to it. I took the test seriously, studying around 2 hours on week days and 4-5 hours weekends. I work in a small product development IT company and share flat with my three friends, so there were a few distractions during the preparation, but overall the preparation went smoothly till first week of Jan. Since second week of Jan, the recession has started looming large. Lots of pressure from company, tight deadlines, working on weekends, and shocking layoff; first time in my entire career I witnessed the layoffs. Couple of times, the idea of extending the date came in my mind, but every time I said NO. I decided to keep momentum going, never to give-up, and test my limit. Many times I slept at 11, got up at 5, gave the mock test and then went to office. Most encouraging part was the improvement. The sense of progress was the most motivating factor, which kept me excited.

I read most of the recommended and available books in India for GMAT: OG11, OG verbal guide, Kaplan Premier Edition, Manhattan Verbal guide, and 1000 Series for CR and RC (GMAT sections only).

Following are my test scores:
Kaplan: between 570 and 600.
MGMAT: 600(surprised by MATH section), 600 (issue with the software, I reported this to the Manhattan), 670(47/33), 680(47/35), 700(50Q/36V), 680(47/35). The exact section wise breakup could be different.
GMAT PowerPrep: 710 (knew many verbal questions)
GMATPrep1 : 700 (50Q/35V). Three days before DDay. Was really excited to see 700 because I found most of the questions fresh.
GMATPrep2: 710 (50Q/36V). Two days before DDay. Was super excited.

The only thing was I gave most MGMAT and all GMATPrep mock tests back to back in last 2 weeks, with the gap of 1 to 2 days in consecutive tests, because of time shortage, thanks to recession.

I was fully confident till the last night before the DDay. I decided to relax at least one day. Gave a much needed brake to myself on 18th. Spoke to my roommates, played cards with them, and tried to keep the test away from my mind. But somewhere in the back of my mind my worst nightmare was haunting me. I have very bad habit of not getting sleep before examination day. It happened with me throughout my engineering days, where in the last semester I couldn’t able to sleep the night before any of my 4 tests. However, an engineering test is totally different from GMAT, in which you have to have an active and refreshed mind to tame the monster. On 18th, I had heavy dinner, and retired at 11 PM, little early then my usual time,12 PM. I kept on waiting for sleep; the wait became too long. I cried. I was helpless, had no idea what to do. I gave everything to GMAT in last 4 months and just one day was about to ruin my whole effort.

Around 4 AM, a thought came in my mind: just leave everything to Him and do you Karma. You have given your 100% and tomorrow just go and give your 100% again, leave rest to Him. One never gets more than the fate and before the time.

I am tired of writing now. I came back from home today only and came straight to office. Will post rest of the story tomorrow.