I just Beat The GMAT!

I will try to keep this debrief short. (My target score was 750)

QUANTS:

Almost at the same level as that of MGMAT... albeit the calc steps required to solve the problem were comparatively fewer. Overall Actual GMATQuants was tougher than GMATPrep atleast it felt that way during those 70+ mins.

VERBAL :

Overall Verbal was quite comparable with MGMAT. SC was easier than the ones in MGMAT/GMATPrep. CR was quite tough with couple of Bold-Faced Questions (and I had believed that BFs are rare..not true).. Out of around 11-12 CRs, I had 2 BF). RC was a breeze. I have always used RC to make up for lost time. I managed to manage the time for Verbal quite well. I feel like I almost always had to guess in CR, othwerwise Verbal was quite OK!

AWA: I had never taken AWA in any of the GMAT tests before, so was writing GMAT AWA the first time. My only suggestion to all fellow test-takers would be that as soon as you see the topic, start writing. When you see around 10 mins left, write the concluding para. If you still have time, then you can write an additional para in between.

PREP
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Prep Time ~ 2 Weeks (extremely rigorous)
50% of that in SC (Which I believe is not worth it). All my GMATPrep simulations, points to the fact that RC and CR carry more weight!

My Prep Tools
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MGMAT SC and RC Strat Guides
OG11 (finished all sections)
GMATPrep

Test Scores
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GMATPrep I : 670 (Q46, V36)... Before any prep

After almost 1-1.5 weeks of Prep
MGMAT DIAG (DDay - 6)...680 (Q48, V34)
MGMAT CAT 1 (DDay - 5)...690 (Q47, V37) Toughest by far
MGMAT CAT 2 (DDay - 4)...720 (Q50, V37)
MGMAT CAT 3 (DDay - 3)...730 (Q51, V39)
GMATPrep I (DDay - 2)...750 (Q50, V42) [9 Wrongs: 8 SC, 1 RC, 0 CR]
GMATPrep II (DDay - 1)...720 (Q50, V38) [10 Wrongs: 2 SC, 4 RC, 4 CR]

Actual GMAT (DDay) ... 730 (Q50, V39)

My obligatory 2 Cents to all future test-takers:

Don't fret over SC Accuracies... If you are short on prep-time, focus on OG11 CRs and RCs. As I have mentioned earlier in this post, I believe CRs and RCs carry more weight.

All the best!

I will write more ... later..!

Congrats!

Why would you retake it? Unless you have a very weak ap there's no use to retaking it. I have talked to admissions people at my undergrad and they said that there's virtually no difference between a 730 and a 760.

AndyShanky wrote:
Now, I am seriously thinking of retaking the test. Probably I might improve my Quants to 51.. but then what if Verbal takes a beating!

You should totally re-take the test man. You spent all two weeks and not even hurt the GMAT

Oh well..Don't be upset so much and go back to your studies! I am sure you can score 51 next time!!

Remember! Winners never quit!

AndyShanky wrote: Actual GMAT (DDay) ... 730 (Q50, V39)

Now, I am seriously thinking of retaking the test. Probably I might improve my Quants to 51.. but then what if Verbal takes a beating!

I'm not sure where i heard this(or read this) but an Admissions Director once said that they dont like students who re-take th GMAT when they already have a 700+ score. if you've crossed that barrier, move on. It shows a lack of focus if you go back and spend time on the GMAT despite what is considered to be a high score. I'm not sure you want to portray that kind of an image to the ad-com. You are better off investing that time on your essays.

Neo2000 wrote:

AndyShanky wrote: Actual GMAT (DDay) ... 730 (Q50, V39)

Now, I am seriously thinking of retaking the test. Probably I might improve my Quants to 51.. but then what if Verbal takes a beating!

I'm not sure where i heard this(or read this) but an Admissions Director once said that they dont like students who re-take th GMAT when they already have a 700+ score. if you've crossed that barrier, move on. It shows a lack of focus if you go back and spend time on the GMAT despite what is considered to be a high score. I'm not sure you want to portray that kind of an image to the ad-com. You are better off investing that time on your essays.

Well said.

Sorry my fellow but youre overacting...730 is a very impressive score now matters if u are from India, China, Latin america or Europe.

Sometimes its good to keep at least one foot on the ground. Its JUST GREAT! I share the view of the guy that said adcoms dont like perfect over 700 gmaters if they re-do the test cuz it is useless.

Best 4 u and keep ur calm.

LUK


note: I m struggling for a 550, is there a possible way to "buy" ur points haha!

Congratulations on a wonderful score man. I hope you get in where you are aiming for. It really seems pointless if you are aiming for anything higher now that you already have a 730. Focus more on other things in your app like the essays.

Thanks for your advice. I have GMAT coming up in about a week and a half. Do you think that RCs and CRs in OG11 are comparable to the ones that you saw on the real GMAT? I mean in terms of difficulry. I have devoted almost all my time to SCs and quant so far.

Thanks

don't want to offend you, but I think that if you retake the test with a 730 you are stupid.

Carloblacksun wrote:don't want to offend you, but I think that if you retake the test with a 730 you are stupid.

hahahahahaaha..Carlos is the man, he actually meant that a smart business person would spend his time more wisely rather than waste it.

that is exactly what I mean; I took a 730 too, and I am so happy!!

I just received my score for the AWA...incredible...6.0!!!!

soooo happy...