730 (Q48, V42) - Thanks Everyone!

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730 (Q48, V42) - Thanks Everyone!

by casbroker » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:57 am
I just took the GMAT and came out with a 730. I had no idea I would do this well as my highest practice CAT was a 690. I almost stopped caring but the forum users really kept me motivated. Here's how I studied:

September 24 - Registered for the test and realized that I needed to study.

Arco Beat the GMAT - I used the 2006 edition, thought it was awful but didn't have anything else.

Sometime in October - found this site and got the OG. Completed all 800 questions.

Picked up the Kaplan 800 and tried to do as much as possible within a week.

Here are my CAT scores:

ARCO
640
620
680

GMATPrep
690
680

I hope everyone who reads this realizes that if I can do it - you can!
Last edited by casbroker on Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
Source: — I just Beat The GMAT! |

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by casbroker » Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:00 am
Edited: I'm an idiot - I got Q48 and V42. Still shaky from the test!

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by beatthegmat » Thu Oct 25, 2007 5:54 pm
casbroker:

That's a fantastic score, congrats! Obviously, you are the type of person that performs well under pressure. :)

Can you provide some more details on your GMAT study strategy or your test day experience? We'd love to hear more details!

Thanks and good luck!
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by casbroker » Sun Oct 28, 2007 2:19 pm
I'm not sure if I perform well under pressure but I just didn't feel nervous when I sat for the test. I was, however, shaking up until I sat in front of the computer and almost forgot which finger was my index finger! I had a 9:00 am appointment and had to go to work afterwards so I was the only person at the center wearing a suit. I probably got a solid 7 hours of sleep before the test and ate a bowl of cereal and drank a cup of coffee at 7:00. I really did not want to have to use the restroom during the test so I refrained from drinking too many fluids prior to the test. From 7-8 I did some more quantitative questions from the Kaplan 800 book just to get my brain working. I was then off to the races...

My study strategy was probably like many people who have shared their experiences. I used Arco, the OG and Kaplan 800. I completely finished Arco and OG but didn't have enough time to go entirely through the Kaplan. I studied for a month - about 1-2 hours M-F (I work long hours and need sleep) and 4-6 hours on Saturdays/Sundays. I really buckled down the two weekends prior to my test. I think the key to success is practice, practice, practice. If anyone wants more insight into my study methods (which are probably not recommended by experts) feel free to ask.