I walked out very happy from the test center this morning.
I studied for about 2.5 months. I bought several used books a while before that, but I didn't really start studying until I made myself schedule a test two months ahead.
Score:
760 total
48 quantitative
46 verbal
Study tools:
Kaplan GMAT 2006
Princeton GMAT 2005
Official GMAT 11th edition
Official GMAT Quantitative Review
Study strategy:
I did not want to enroll in any expensive test prep courses, as I'm pretty confident I could do just as well on my own (and those courses are really expensive too). I made sure to take all the free tests available online (2 from GMATPrep, 1 from Princeton, 1 from Kaplan, and the math section from 800score). The GMAT is mostly about applying existing knowledge to slightly different problems, so I figured that if I just did enough problems, I would be OK.
I finished the Kaplan book before I took any of the sample tests. I didn't want to take a test before I had gotten the chance to actually study, especially since there are a limited number of tests available. I got around 670 on the Kaplan practice test (in the book).
I studied pretty much only on weekends, and only a little during the week.
After finishing the Kaplan book I did the Princeton book. Since I bought the Princeton book used I didn't get access to the online tests.
After the Princeton book (this is about 1.5 months into my 2.5 month study period, I took the first of the two tests in the GMATPrep software. I scored a 710.
I then started the official book. The quantitative part was my weakest point, so during the last week before the test I also bought the official quantitative review book and went through the hardest questions.
I planned to take a trial test two weekends before the real test, but I didn't get time, so I took one trial test during the week (I came in really late to work), and two tests Saturday before the actual test. I only did about an hours worth of review the day before the test. I took a total of four practice tests.
Test day:
Since my test was at 8am I had gotten up extra early the entire week before just to make sure my body was used to it. I pretty much only relaxed the day before the test.
I got to the test center about 30 minutes early, which was good, since I didn't have to sit in the waiting room for very long. I had to lock away everything but my passport (including my watch). Whenever I took a break (and I took all available breaks!), I had to scan my fingerprints when leaving and entering the test room. Nifty.
I had brought some fruit to the test center, and it was nice to have something to snack on during a break. It made me take a longer break, since it was a little hard to try to relax in the waiting area.
I could feel my concentration slipping during the last 10 questions of the verbal part, but I managed to not think about the score. I actually finished the verbal part in around 45 minutes.
I studied for about 2.5 months. I bought several used books a while before that, but I didn't really start studying until I made myself schedule a test two months ahead.
Score:
760 total
48 quantitative
46 verbal
Study tools:
Kaplan GMAT 2006
Princeton GMAT 2005
Official GMAT 11th edition
Official GMAT Quantitative Review
Study strategy:
I did not want to enroll in any expensive test prep courses, as I'm pretty confident I could do just as well on my own (and those courses are really expensive too). I made sure to take all the free tests available online (2 from GMATPrep, 1 from Princeton, 1 from Kaplan, and the math section from 800score). The GMAT is mostly about applying existing knowledge to slightly different problems, so I figured that if I just did enough problems, I would be OK.
I finished the Kaplan book before I took any of the sample tests. I didn't want to take a test before I had gotten the chance to actually study, especially since there are a limited number of tests available. I got around 670 on the Kaplan practice test (in the book).
I studied pretty much only on weekends, and only a little during the week.
After finishing the Kaplan book I did the Princeton book. Since I bought the Princeton book used I didn't get access to the online tests.
After the Princeton book (this is about 1.5 months into my 2.5 month study period, I took the first of the two tests in the GMATPrep software. I scored a 710.
I then started the official book. The quantitative part was my weakest point, so during the last week before the test I also bought the official quantitative review book and went through the hardest questions.
I planned to take a trial test two weekends before the real test, but I didn't get time, so I took one trial test during the week (I came in really late to work), and two tests Saturday before the actual test. I only did about an hours worth of review the day before the test. I took a total of four practice tests.
Test day:
Since my test was at 8am I had gotten up extra early the entire week before just to make sure my body was used to it. I pretty much only relaxed the day before the test.
I got to the test center about 30 minutes early, which was good, since I didn't have to sit in the waiting room for very long. I had to lock away everything but my passport (including my watch). Whenever I took a break (and I took all available breaks!), I had to scan my fingerprints when leaving and entering the test room. Nifty.
I had brought some fruit to the test center, and it was nice to have something to snack on during a break. It made me take a longer break, since it was a little hard to try to relax in the waiting area.
I could feel my concentration slipping during the last 10 questions of the verbal part, but I managed to not think about the score. I actually finished the verbal part in around 45 minutes.
