I just gave the GMAT yesterday and scored 710.
Profile: Female,Indian,27,Masters in Computer Science, working in the software field for the past 4 years, will have 5 years experience by the time I start school
I am a little disappointed with my score. I was doing really well on my practice tests. I took the GMATPREP tests 4 times (twice for each test) and scored 720,750,770 and 780. So, I was hoping to reach 730-740. However, my actual test was COMPLETELY different from ANY of the CATs I had ever taken. I am NOT making this up.Midway through the test, I literally stopped and said WTF out aloud. I thought to myself..IS this even GMAT?? You know how you sort of don't expect to see the exact same problem/SC/CR but at least a familiar pattern? Everything was so alien on my test. And I also ran out of time towards the end..Had to guess the last verbal SC. So, for such a bad test, I am moderately happy with 710, I almost canceled my score, but just the thought of having to wake up the next day studying for GMAT pushed me to click the Yes button, and honestly, I am glad I did. In my opinion, it is VERY hard to judge how your test has gone unless something major happens (feeling ill, running out of time majorly etc). So, just go ahead and view your score. Worst case scenario, you give it again. 90% of test takers give the GMAT twice. I took the GMAT last November and scored 640. I made a bad decision last time, pushed myself to rush and give the GMAT in the hopes of making it for the December deadline. This time around, my prep was a lot better. I spent more effort on giving practice CATs rather than "studying".
Often, people ask what to do differently from the first time around to the second. Here is my 2 cents:
Prep: I prepared for about 3 months. I had some personal crisis in between, so didn't study for about 2 weeks, but besides that, I pretty much studied everyday. During the week, I'd do "book" study such as OG and MGMAT, and during the weekend I'd give CATs and do homework. Give a lot of CATs. It helps to build endurance. I gave 2 every week - Saturday and Sunday. That was the first thing I did pretty much every weekend after waking up. Then, at night, I'd go over my test and see where I went wrong. Also, read forums and others posts. It really helps to know that others are going through the same thing and have the same questions and doubts that you do. I love this forum. In addition, what helped me was keeping a calendar and marking things I did each day. It helped me stay on track and have a plan. Maybe that just worked for me coz I'm a little OCD, but I think its a good idea to see what you're doing and what you have left.
Materials used: OG 12th edition, OG Math and Verbal supplements, MGMAT all 8 books. Don't even bother with anything else (Princeton, Kaplan..etc). I bought Kaplan and Princeton and never ended up using them this time around. I honestly believe OG and MGMAT is more than enough. Infact, even in the MGMAT series, I found the RC and CR pretty useless.
Course: I signed up for Knewton. I just wanted some discipline and motivation, because I was lacking both when I started my second prep. In all honesty, I think self-prep is sufficient, but taking a course kinda pushes you to work harder. Knewton was awesome, very convenient since its all online and tons of practice material and great instructors. Definitely recommend (I have a detailed review of Knewton under the course review section).
Besides what I mentioned above, I used BTG practice questions. They were pretty good. I did the entire OG twice. I honestly think its better to do OG twice than waste time with any other material.
Also, make sure you take some time to relax everyday. I watched TV, hung out with friends at happy hour,spent time with my boyfriend, went for movies regularly. You need to chill, otherwise you will burn out. What I cut back on was major drinking on the weekend. That is a definite no-no in my opinion, coz you will lose out on an entire weekend. I did that a couple times during my prep and I regretted it. Also, I know other people have said that they worked out regularly, but I completely stopped doing that. Somehow, I couldn't manage with a full time, fairly demanding job. If I'd wake up early to go work out, I'd end up passing out early at night. But, if you can manage, go for it.
So that's my review. I contemplated (still kind of in 2 minds) giving it again, but I don't think its worth it. I was nervous on the day of my test and chances are I will be nervous again, so what are the odds that I will improve dramatically? I don't think a difference of 10-20 points will make a huge difference in the schools I can get into. If I write killer essays and have strong recommendations, I think I have a decent shot of getting in to good schools. I would love to hear thoughts on this.
Also, happy to answer any questions you guys might have.
Profile: Female,Indian,27,Masters in Computer Science, working in the software field for the past 4 years, will have 5 years experience by the time I start school
I am a little disappointed with my score. I was doing really well on my practice tests. I took the GMATPREP tests 4 times (twice for each test) and scored 720,750,770 and 780. So, I was hoping to reach 730-740. However, my actual test was COMPLETELY different from ANY of the CATs I had ever taken. I am NOT making this up.Midway through the test, I literally stopped and said WTF out aloud. I thought to myself..IS this even GMAT?? You know how you sort of don't expect to see the exact same problem/SC/CR but at least a familiar pattern? Everything was so alien on my test. And I also ran out of time towards the end..Had to guess the last verbal SC. So, for such a bad test, I am moderately happy with 710, I almost canceled my score, but just the thought of having to wake up the next day studying for GMAT pushed me to click the Yes button, and honestly, I am glad I did. In my opinion, it is VERY hard to judge how your test has gone unless something major happens (feeling ill, running out of time majorly etc). So, just go ahead and view your score. Worst case scenario, you give it again. 90% of test takers give the GMAT twice. I took the GMAT last November and scored 640. I made a bad decision last time, pushed myself to rush and give the GMAT in the hopes of making it for the December deadline. This time around, my prep was a lot better. I spent more effort on giving practice CATs rather than "studying".
Often, people ask what to do differently from the first time around to the second. Here is my 2 cents:
Prep: I prepared for about 3 months. I had some personal crisis in between, so didn't study for about 2 weeks, but besides that, I pretty much studied everyday. During the week, I'd do "book" study such as OG and MGMAT, and during the weekend I'd give CATs and do homework. Give a lot of CATs. It helps to build endurance. I gave 2 every week - Saturday and Sunday. That was the first thing I did pretty much every weekend after waking up. Then, at night, I'd go over my test and see where I went wrong. Also, read forums and others posts. It really helps to know that others are going through the same thing and have the same questions and doubts that you do. I love this forum. In addition, what helped me was keeping a calendar and marking things I did each day. It helped me stay on track and have a plan. Maybe that just worked for me coz I'm a little OCD, but I think its a good idea to see what you're doing and what you have left.
Materials used: OG 12th edition, OG Math and Verbal supplements, MGMAT all 8 books. Don't even bother with anything else (Princeton, Kaplan..etc). I bought Kaplan and Princeton and never ended up using them this time around. I honestly believe OG and MGMAT is more than enough. Infact, even in the MGMAT series, I found the RC and CR pretty useless.
Course: I signed up for Knewton. I just wanted some discipline and motivation, because I was lacking both when I started my second prep. In all honesty, I think self-prep is sufficient, but taking a course kinda pushes you to work harder. Knewton was awesome, very convenient since its all online and tons of practice material and great instructors. Definitely recommend (I have a detailed review of Knewton under the course review section).
Besides what I mentioned above, I used BTG practice questions. They were pretty good. I did the entire OG twice. I honestly think its better to do OG twice than waste time with any other material.
Also, make sure you take some time to relax everyday. I watched TV, hung out with friends at happy hour,spent time with my boyfriend, went for movies regularly. You need to chill, otherwise you will burn out. What I cut back on was major drinking on the weekend. That is a definite no-no in my opinion, coz you will lose out on an entire weekend. I did that a couple times during my prep and I regretted it. Also, I know other people have said that they worked out regularly, but I completely stopped doing that. Somehow, I couldn't manage with a full time, fairly demanding job. If I'd wake up early to go work out, I'd end up passing out early at night. But, if you can manage, go for it.
So that's my review. I contemplated (still kind of in 2 minds) giving it again, but I don't think its worth it. I was nervous on the day of my test and chances are I will be nervous again, so what are the odds that I will improve dramatically? I don't think a difference of 10-20 points will make a huge difference in the schools I can get into. If I write killer essays and have strong recommendations, I think I have a decent shot of getting in to good schools. I would love to hear thoughts on this.
Also, happy to answer any questions you guys might have.
Last edited by chaosgirl on Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:11 pm, edited 4 times in total.
. If u are not used to working out then it does make u dizzy. If u are irregular at gym, dnt read debriefs and get too inspired to gym till ur done with ur GMAT !!!
