I just Beat The GMAT!

First I would like to thank everyone on this forum for your strategies and motivational stories.

I have one of those stories, not quite sure where it falls. Four years ago I took the GMAT, at that time I was in Kenya, my home country. I did not have much time to prepare and I wasn't really sure what the GMAT was about besides that there was math and english tested. I scored a dismal 450/4.5AWA I was trying to beat the application deadline and was admitted to a state University in the US with that score in Spring 2005.

I got here and enrolled in school, but things went wrong.... was unable raise the funds after one semester as my sponsor couldn't help and I couldn't access scholarships or financial aid... long story short, I dropped out of school. And after that it was a downhill spin

I have managed to put the pieces together and I am ready to go back to grad school, I had initially enrolled in MSc Hospitality Management, but I ve had time to do some research and soul searching and I have decided to apply for an MBA instead.

I re-took the GMAT in October after using Veritas books. I scored a dismal 530.. while it was definitely more than 450, it was still way too low. So I registered again and took it for the third time in November and scored 600 this time after using OGs. It was improvement, but I wanted more.

I would have given myself more time to prepare before another re-take, but the priority deadline (for scholarships) for the state university I am applying to is 10th January and I wanted to be considered, so I sat the GMAT again today, and I prayed that this would be the last time I took it... but I guess not! I scored 610 (Q39, V35), 5.5 AWA.

The school requires a GMAT score of 550, and 3.3 GPA for their fulltime program which I am intersted in, I am glad my GMAT score is above the requirement, but my GPA is lower than the requirement (though I will address the circumstances surrounding that in my essay... having to work throughout undergrad to support myself)

My intention is to get into this MBA program for one year, and I could also used my elective credits towards a certificate in entrepreneurship and graduate with both in 12 months. I also want to take some quant courses while doing my MBA and maybe a psych and sociology class to sort of build an alternative transcript. Upon graduation from the MBA, I would like to apply to a PhD program (Management & Organizations), and this time I would like to target top business schools, (hence my MBA for prep and alternative transcript and aim for a higher GMAT).

So, I will continue to study for the GMAT, in the hope that my next attempt several months from now, will get me to 720+. I will try to build my portfolio along the way, like an internship with UNDP possibly next Summer, involvement with global business brigades, a Research/Grad Assistantship, and various other projects.

I would value all your imput, any suggestions you may have to help me achieve my goals. I come from a very humble background and the thirst for knowledge and excellence is something I can't shake off. I will keep going! So I need to get from this 610 to above 720. And I need all your help. (So far I ve only used Veritas books and OG 11 and supplements)

Sorry my post was so long!!

one comment - i dont think top 20 schools allow you to enroll if you already have earned an MBA from another institution.

Hi niraj_a, is that really true??
I have been researching some PhD programs in top schools and I did not see that at all. They do say that an MBA is not a requirement to apply but they don't say anything about not admitting people with MBAs from different institutions..

I could be wrong though, can anybody else shed some light on this please?

He is not referring to the PhD program. What he is saying is that you cannot enroll in an MBA program if you already have an MBA. This does not apply to you though since you did not graduate from your last MBA program.

What I would be concerned with is that you dropped out of your last program. If you mention that in your essays you should make it very clear that you dropped out not because of academic ability ... but rather due to financial reasons. You should also emphasize that you have sorted out your financials and have a solid plan for funding your education.

As to GMAT: Veritas books are good. OG is crucial. I would highly recommend taking a lot of practice tests ... especially GMAT Prep and Manhattan GMAT tests. If you take these tests (GMAT Prep definitely more than once) and if you analyze every question after you complete your test (find out where you made mistakes etc) then you will definitely improve. I am not sure to which extent you have already taken these tests.

Good Luck

Hi LSB,
I am sorry I completely misunderstood the last post, thought he meant the PhD. I am actually applying to the same school but changing programs, I have recommendations from my former Professors in the Hospitality college (of the same institution) attesting to my academic ability, plus the college of business will get my trabscript for the classes I took, and I am in good standing with the college, although I will address my financials and the circumstances surrounding that situation.

Thanks for your pointers, I have taken GMATPrep 1 and 2 twice but did not analyze my mistakes too well, and the Veritas tests, I have also taken the 800 score tests but I ve to admit I haven't exactly analyzed things too well there either, that's why I am hopeful that I would improve. I am going to take a week or so off, meanwhile I am going to read more posts on strategy and then embark on it again, I will give myself a few months this time and do some quality prep before I take the exam.

Would you say the MGMAT books are better than Veritas? Many people seem to be saying that and I am wondering.... this last chance I d like to use the very best prep material.

MGMAT is much better

https://www.beatthegmat.com/veritas-prat ... 15293.html

Thanks LSB.

I will definitely consider getting MGMAT books, but first I am going to go through all my Veritas books and the OGs, the posts on this forum anf others and take the GMATPrep tests again and gauge, then I will see if I need more material.

I think it makes sense to fully utilize what I already have before getting more. I appreciate your imput though.

Ooh by the way..Does MGMAT have any free prep tests?

Hi pal,

very happy to read about your determination, just keep the pace and continuity.. u will be good

Hi Aspirant008,

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I will keep trying with help from people like you and everyone in the btg community. I hope that soon, I can attest to a happy ending.. atleast for GMAT and my educational goals.