I`ve been exploring BEAT THE GMAT since couple of days and the more I read, the more amazed I am!
My name is Oriana Torres, I am Colombian. Since pretty much a year I started preparing for the GMAT. So far, within a period of 8 months, I have presented it 3 times, being the last one pretty disastrous. From a 490 (initial score) I hiked to a 620, and then, trying to reach a higher score (which my TOP CHOICE SCHOOL invited me to get in order to continue in the application process) I presented it for the 3rd time, my declining to a 490. Here is a small summary:
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GMAT TAKE 1: November 13, 2009. SCORE: 490. (Q24%, V52%, AWA56%)
Overall percentile: 32 %
My preparation was really crappy. I studied by myself with a Kaplan Book (including a CD and online stuff) I ordered over the Internet. I did not even cover 50 % of the material. Cero discipline, lots of noise though. I hardly did 2 CATs before the test.
GMAT TAKE 2: March 1, 2010. SCORE: 620. (Q49%, V83%, AWA90%)
Overall percentile: 71%
Is still smile when I think of my 620, it`s my ticket of hope
I took a KAPLAN Course in Bogota Colombia. I started it late November 2009 and classes as such ended mid February 2010. I also finished around 70 % of the material, which believe me, was already a lot. Took 3 KAPLAN GMAT CATs.
GMAT TAKE 3: June 5, 2010. SCORE: 490. (Q29%, V42%, AWA90%)
Overall percentile: 32 %
Disaster. It believe it was so not about knowledge. I had nothing else to rehearse content-wise. But attitude and tension killed me. Long story... indeed this is what this blog is all about: my real barrier, not knowledge, but attitude towards the
exam.
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All this context just to share my strategy ... and see what you think.
I had a strong attitude problem towards the GMAT, I really "hated" the exam, since the beginning. And now, after the 3rd time of taking the exam I realize that if my attitude doesn`t change, my score just won´t improve.
Sure there is stuff I still can and have to improve, with a 49 % in math (which was my highest quant score there is of course room of improvement), but my biggest problem is nervousness and pressure!!
MY NEW STRATEGY is the following:
1. I won´t schedule any GMAT appointment until I am getting the range of score I want (670 - 700): the past times I have scheduled my GMAT dates 5 - 10 days before the SCHOOL application deadlines. What a harsh mistake, imagine the level of pressure thinking that all my application was ready BUT the GMAT?
2. I will focus on CATs: I have studied concepts, formulas, strategies as much as I can. Trust me. I have done many, many untimed tests ... I need now to face the real "monster", time and capacity to guess, to move forward on tough questions, to stop leaing questions unanswered. My idea is to do at least a CAT a week, and focus the week on analysing the test and focusing on weak areas. For this, I loved this articleI found:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2009/09/ ... tice-tests
3. I won´t decline my life quality because of the GMAT: I know all in life implies sacrifices, I am not telling that it worný imply still dedicating time and effort and making trade - offs, but I`ve been so far away of the things I love i the past months becaise of the GMAT, that this has become the key reason for "hating" the GMAT so much. It will be all about QUALITY and not about QUANTITY of time.
I created a blog, where yuo can read all my story!!
https://gmatresilience.blocked/
Did you know that I even had a small accident last time I presented the GMAT? I falled on a break ...!
So ... that`s my messy story, but still I do not give up and I know that removing all the stress and bad attitude factors that have surrounded my GMAT preparation I will improve, I believe in my math and verbal foundations - come one!!! GMAT includes nothing different than what you have seen at some point at school!!! My attutide is changing and this is the first step! As I learned at KAPLAN, the main factor to sucess is to be able to say: "I choose to to this test, and I will do well" - but so far, I did not choose to do it, It was just a requirement, the one I hated the most. Today, I choose it and i WILL DO WELL. Let`s see how this story ends!!!
WHAT DO YOU THINK??
