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ayaani
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
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- Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:43 pm
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I promised myself that I would post my GMAT experience to this forum simply because it was such a critical resource for me when I was in the trenches studying. In 6 weeks, I got myself to a solid result:
Overall: 740, 97th percentile
Quantitative: 44, 64th percentile
Verbal: 47, 99th percentile
AWA: 6.0, 91st percentile
Integrated Reasoning: 7, 80th percentile
I would have loved to amp my quantitative score and take it above the 75th percentile range, but this result should be enough to open some doors for me by giving an adcom member a reason to pay attention to my application a little more. . . and I think that's the key with the GMAT.
It's a different test for everyone. We all have different backgrounds and strengths (quant vs. verbal). We all have different goals (different target schools have different gmat expectations). With that in mind, I've included my thoughts on a good gmat strategy/approach for all test-takers below.
My Advice Strategy/Approach
1. Commit: You have to dedicate time, energy, and heart to beat the GMAT. For me, this meant taking some time off from a job that required too much of my time and energy to let me beat the gmat. Those who can't make that kind of move just need to start early. Whatever your situation, the gmat has to be a priority. . . fewer beers with the guys, less time with the girlfriend, etc.
2. Know your Goal: What are you trying to achieve with the GMAT? Do you need a 600 to get into your target school? or a 750? As with others on this forum, I am an advocate of a SMART goal.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-Bound
3. Know yourself & know the enemy: This is also insight I took from other posts on this Forum. As you study, you should find a way to track your strengths and weaknesses (MGMAT CATs are very helpful with this). Your goal is to maximize the ROI on your most precious GMAT asset - your time. Recognize where that extra 30 seconds gets you a right answer and where it doesn't. If you suck at difficult number properties, guess quickly and save 30 seconds so you can use that time to get a right answer on a 700-level algebra problem. The test doesn't know your weaknesses - you do. Don't let the test trick you into wasting your most precious asset on a weakness.
4. Studying involves 2 distinct activities: learning and practicing. Your success on each question will be determined by whether you (1) know what to do, (2) know how to do it, (3) can do it in less than 120 seconds. 1 and 2 come from reading forums, reviewing fundamentals, seeing what the gmat instructors all over the place have to say, and doing a tonne of questions. But all this has to be paired with practice to achieve #3. That is . . . time question sets, write practice tests, put pressure on yourself by setting milestones en route to test day (e.g., Hit 80% of my target score half-way through my studying).
The GMAT is only the start of an MBA admission process that is long, intensive, and multi-faceted. But it is an important part of the process. It can open or close doors for you very quickly as it is the only element of your application that presents a current reflection of your level of aptitude, commitment, and decision-making. The above stand out as the key guiding principles that I would recommend for anyone thinking of writing the GMAT. I hope you find them valuable and I wish you all the best in beating the GMAT.
Overall: 740, 97th percentile
Quantitative: 44, 64th percentile
Verbal: 47, 99th percentile
AWA: 6.0, 91st percentile
Integrated Reasoning: 7, 80th percentile
I would have loved to amp my quantitative score and take it above the 75th percentile range, but this result should be enough to open some doors for me by giving an adcom member a reason to pay attention to my application a little more. . . and I think that's the key with the GMAT.
It's a different test for everyone. We all have different backgrounds and strengths (quant vs. verbal). We all have different goals (different target schools have different gmat expectations). With that in mind, I've included my thoughts on a good gmat strategy/approach for all test-takers below.
My Advice Strategy/Approach
1. Commit: You have to dedicate time, energy, and heart to beat the GMAT. For me, this meant taking some time off from a job that required too much of my time and energy to let me beat the gmat. Those who can't make that kind of move just need to start early. Whatever your situation, the gmat has to be a priority. . . fewer beers with the guys, less time with the girlfriend, etc.
2. Know your Goal: What are you trying to achieve with the GMAT? Do you need a 600 to get into your target school? or a 750? As with others on this forum, I am an advocate of a SMART goal.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-Bound
3. Know yourself & know the enemy: This is also insight I took from other posts on this Forum. As you study, you should find a way to track your strengths and weaknesses (MGMAT CATs are very helpful with this). Your goal is to maximize the ROI on your most precious GMAT asset - your time. Recognize where that extra 30 seconds gets you a right answer and where it doesn't. If you suck at difficult number properties, guess quickly and save 30 seconds so you can use that time to get a right answer on a 700-level algebra problem. The test doesn't know your weaknesses - you do. Don't let the test trick you into wasting your most precious asset on a weakness.
4. Studying involves 2 distinct activities: learning and practicing. Your success on each question will be determined by whether you (1) know what to do, (2) know how to do it, (3) can do it in less than 120 seconds. 1 and 2 come from reading forums, reviewing fundamentals, seeing what the gmat instructors all over the place have to say, and doing a tonne of questions. But all this has to be paired with practice to achieve #3. That is . . . time question sets, write practice tests, put pressure on yourself by setting milestones en route to test day (e.g., Hit 80% of my target score half-way through my studying).
The GMAT is only the start of an MBA admission process that is long, intensive, and multi-faceted. But it is an important part of the process. It can open or close doors for you very quickly as it is the only element of your application that presents a current reflection of your level of aptitude, commitment, and decision-making. The above stand out as the key guiding principles that I would recommend for anyone thinking of writing the GMAT. I hope you find them valuable and I wish you all the best in beating the GMAT.
