I just Beat The GMAT!

I'm so excited! I'm a rising college junior, and had some time to study this summer, so I figured I would go at it hard for a few months and take the test! It was a good decision!

I may post stats later, but I'm telling you, any score is possible! On my first MGMAT Diag, I got a 600!

This post is my first, but I have been reading this site for a while, and I appreciate all of your great comments!

Thats awesome!!

What did you do to make up a 160 point jump?

Would want to learn your strategy!

MGMAT 1 - 600 (43Q, 31V)
MGMAT 2 - 680 (48Q, 34V)
MGMAT 4 - 710 (51Q, 36V)
MGMAT 5 - 730 (51Q, 38V)
GMATPrep 1 - 760 (51Q, 42V)
MGMAT 6 - 730 (51Q, 38V)
GMATPrep 2 - 760 (50Q, 41V)

GMAT Exam - 770 (51Q, 44V)

Math - My Quant jump from 43Q to 51Q was more of me becoming aware of careless mistakes and tricks than me learning content, based on my heavy math background. I will say though, that, especially for number properties, MGMAT's books were fantastic.

Verbal - MGMAT was critical for that. Use the MGMAT Sentence Correction Book as a bible! It is perfect. Study it, make notecards with it, and study those notecards, especially idioms for those looking to get a high score! MGMAT's RC and CR books are also great, but I would suppose that once you know the trick, the key to these is becoming very good at the Process of Elimination. The correct answers are all there, you just have to uncover them. MGMAT's books can help you recognize how the test can hide things.

AWA - I did one full length test a week before with both AWA, and I did one practice of each essay with the GMATWrite Software, and that was enough. If you are from the United States and have done a lot of writing, I would say that that's enough. If you are not as comfortable with writing, I would say that you should study the OG and note the structure and content of the sample essays that scored highly.

Other things:
1) I think I did well today on Verbal because I told myself that I was going to be excited about all of the RC passages and CR prompts and the topics. Being excited about each topics really helped my comprehension and analysis, I think. Remembering that someone, somewhere, cares a lot about these topics that seem pretty useless can go a long way.
2) I was really nervous at the beginning of the test, but I think I became a lot more calm after finishing the AWA. Make sure that you take deep breaths before each section and think about the big picture.
3) Do lots of practice problems! I think I did every problem in OG 11, and selected problems in the Q and V guides.
4) Enjoy this test! There are a lot more complicated and difficult problems in life than Quant questions and Verbal questions. Studying and taking this test was a pleasure.
5) Stay positive!

Good luck. I'll keep checking out this thread in case anyone has any questions.

YOU KILLED IT!! NICE!

u killed it mite!!!

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you mention you're a rising college junior. Your score will last for 5 years...unless you're a rockstar student who opened up a business that is generating millions, you need some years of work experience under your belt to apply to top schools.

However, I'm sure you're bright and will be able to get these scores again should you retake, but just pointing it out there.

yeah, I realize that I have to get some work experience before that and that it's tougher to get into programs earlier, but I wanted to take the test now just in case something did work out in the future. Lots of questions. Thanks for keeping it real.

I disagree that you need a bajillion years of experience. All you need to do is focus on demonstrating leadershp potential and a hint of exceptionalism for about 3 years. 3 years should be sufficient so now you know what you need to do.

Also B-Schools have a bias towards younger students so you are in luck.

All the best!

I'm happy to hear about that bias, though I'm not sure its true. I'm 23 with 2 years experience, planning on taking GMAT soon and was considering to apply for matriculation in 2010, though I think it's too soon...most schools still prefer 4-5 yrs experience, and average age is 27-28. It has been trending younger, though 23 still seems quite young.

However, even with 3 years experience, being a rising junior as you are now, you would have to apply right up to the deadline of when the scores could be used (would add up to 5years), so you'd be stretching it. Regardless, I think you'll be more than fine.

mp2437,

provided you are *exceptional* and your work and extra curricular activities are proof of your exceptionalism and you can articulate the trajectory of your path post business school based on your current situation, there is no need to wait to apply to B-school for "years of experience".

I agree, but the word "exceptional" is difficult to justify. That is why to compensate, some work experience can be a good balance...I'm not saying it's not possible to go to b-school by age 21 if you are in fact exceptional, the reality though is that it is quite difficult, and not the norm.

If he has a a strong GPA and gets into a top IB program after graduation and distinguishes himself for 2 years and gets stellar recommendations... I don't care how old he is, with his GMAT and a strong quant background he will be a strong, strong candidate.

hi thefishofsorts,
congrats.. u cracked it..
i have a question for u..
i got 740 in last powerprep attempt and 770 in my last MGMAT test.
please tell me what is the probability of getting the similar score in the actual test?
i mean if i can solve the questions from powerprep and mgmat then what is the probability that i can solve the questions in the actual test? How similar are the questions??

please revert.. my test is within 7 days..
regards..

He/she can get into programs like the 2+2 that Harvard offers.

Congrats on your score!

I think people in this thread are missing the big picture here. We are all perusing this message board because we're all trying to decipher this exam. thefishofsorts was kind enough to share their experience with us, so we should be grateful that they've added to this community. If we were in their shoes we would be just as excited. At the very least, if they have to take it again, imagine the confidence they will have walking into that testing center.

I'm also sure that someone who understands the GMAT knows a little something about the whole B-school process. I'm sure thefishofsorts knows how long their score is valid for. They practically drill it into our heads!

On the flip side, I can only speak for myself and I thank you thefishofsorts for your story. I wish I had the gumption and focus that you do at your age. Thank you for reiterating that when reading the RC passages that one should be excited about the content. Like you said "someone out there cares a lot about the topics."

The only downside to your 770 score is it going into the pool of numbers potentially making it harder for me to score just as high... j/k

WELL DONE AND CONGRATS!