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Azpire
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
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- Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:52 pm
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Hi All,
While the feeling still hasn't sunk in, I thought I should write my story here so that it can hopefully benefit at least a few of the candidates who are on the verge of giving up on GMAT. I gave my exam today and scored a 730(Q-49, V-41, Overall-96%). To think that I've come from a 540 and 570 on my previous two attempts to a 730 now, just goes to prove that its not impossible to beat the GMAT.
I'm your average "Jill"(if there is something like that) from the oh-so-common Indian IT Engineer pool. The fact that I had two woeful scores to my "dis"credit only added to the pressure this time round. So you can only imagine the trepidation with which I approached the exam today. But thankfully, it ended on a wonderful note and now that I've got the GMAT out of my way, I can concentrate on my applications for which I'm already late, being an international candidate and all.
I had joined a local GMAT prep course in Feb 2014 so my preparation was on and off from Apr, 14 till Sept,14. I did study consistently from Sept onwards. I gave 4 mocks( 3 from my GMAT prep course and one from GMAT Prep software), one everyday starting from Dec 1st - Dec 4th. My scores were 630, 700, 680 and 670. The last score of 670 was on GMAT prep. I gave only one GMAT prep software mock test because, honestly, I was mentally drained.
Couple of things that worked -
Quant :
MGMAT 5 th Edition MATH guides - Do them at least twice over(including the advanced strategies). Know the concepts and tricks.
OG 13 - I think it gives you good practice.
A few quant questions from GMATClub.
Prep materials from my GMAT course - I solved over 800 questions
Verbal :
The prep materials from my GMAT course.
MGMAT 5th edition CR and AWA guides.
Definitely recommend anyone thinking of giving the test to take full length mocks and actually mimic the actual exam setting. I sat through all 4 sections in each mock test and took only a 8 min break between the sections just like I would on the actual exam day. Since my exam was at 1.00, I used to take my mocks in the afternoon so that I could train my self to be alert in the afternoons.
Practice as many questions as you can. You should at least practice 800 questions each in both Quant and Verbal.
Towards the end of your preparation, time your responses to make sure your solving most of the questions under 2 mins. Also, if you cant solve a question within 3 mins on the actual exam, just make a guess and move on. Don't spend more than 3 mins on a question because you will have to borrow a min from another question to make up for it and you cannot keep doing that for all questions.
Do take the 8 min breaks and recharge. I dont tink I'd recommend anyone to skip those breaks because you will need to relax and recoup your energies before you tackle the next section.
If your stuck with a particular problem, use the BTG or the GMAT club forums to look at different ways of solving the questions and then choose a method your comfortable with.
My only sore point is that I scored a measly 3 on my IR. I just blanked out for some reason on that section. I have no idea how it will be viewed by the AdCom. I'm just hoping they'll show some leniency.
Don't let the GMAT get to you! Get past that monster!
While the feeling still hasn't sunk in, I thought I should write my story here so that it can hopefully benefit at least a few of the candidates who are on the verge of giving up on GMAT. I gave my exam today and scored a 730(Q-49, V-41, Overall-96%). To think that I've come from a 540 and 570 on my previous two attempts to a 730 now, just goes to prove that its not impossible to beat the GMAT.
I'm your average "Jill"(if there is something like that) from the oh-so-common Indian IT Engineer pool. The fact that I had two woeful scores to my "dis"credit only added to the pressure this time round. So you can only imagine the trepidation with which I approached the exam today. But thankfully, it ended on a wonderful note and now that I've got the GMAT out of my way, I can concentrate on my applications for which I'm already late, being an international candidate and all.
I had joined a local GMAT prep course in Feb 2014 so my preparation was on and off from Apr, 14 till Sept,14. I did study consistently from Sept onwards. I gave 4 mocks( 3 from my GMAT prep course and one from GMAT Prep software), one everyday starting from Dec 1st - Dec 4th. My scores were 630, 700, 680 and 670. The last score of 670 was on GMAT prep. I gave only one GMAT prep software mock test because, honestly, I was mentally drained.
Couple of things that worked -
Quant :
MGMAT 5 th Edition MATH guides - Do them at least twice over(including the advanced strategies). Know the concepts and tricks.
OG 13 - I think it gives you good practice.
A few quant questions from GMATClub.
Prep materials from my GMAT course - I solved over 800 questions
Verbal :
The prep materials from my GMAT course.
MGMAT 5th edition CR and AWA guides.
Definitely recommend anyone thinking of giving the test to take full length mocks and actually mimic the actual exam setting. I sat through all 4 sections in each mock test and took only a 8 min break between the sections just like I would on the actual exam day. Since my exam was at 1.00, I used to take my mocks in the afternoon so that I could train my self to be alert in the afternoons.
Practice as many questions as you can. You should at least practice 800 questions each in both Quant and Verbal.
Towards the end of your preparation, time your responses to make sure your solving most of the questions under 2 mins. Also, if you cant solve a question within 3 mins on the actual exam, just make a guess and move on. Don't spend more than 3 mins on a question because you will have to borrow a min from another question to make up for it and you cannot keep doing that for all questions.
Do take the 8 min breaks and recharge. I dont tink I'd recommend anyone to skip those breaks because you will need to relax and recoup your energies before you tackle the next section.
If your stuck with a particular problem, use the BTG or the GMAT club forums to look at different ways of solving the questions and then choose a method your comfortable with.
My only sore point is that I scored a measly 3 on my IR. I just blanked out for some reason on that section. I have no idea how it will be viewed by the AdCom. I'm just hoping they'll show some leniency.
Don't let the GMAT get to you! Get past that monster!
