Recently, I decided to start my prep for GMAT (which I intend to write after 3 months or so).
I was told by many to take my first mock CAT early on in the preparations. I had actually taken a Mock Test on the Economist website a few days back. Scored a 700 on it with a 51 in Quant. I was not exactly sure how accurate that mock is but seeing some posts here, figured it lacked in comparison with the OG Mocks or the MGMAT's and Veritas CAT's.
So, today I decided to go ahead with the Full Length CAT 1. To my surprise, I managed a 730 (51 Quant, 38 Verbal and 7 IR). I must however admit, I did struggle very much in my Verbal section and was even clueless in my approach to certain problems. I have identified SC and CR as my glaring weaknesses. I feel I am quite strong in Quant, but I do want to maximise my Quant score in the actual test so I will need to practice those 700+ problems that will boost my score from say a 48/49 to a 50/51.
Further analysis of my mock CAT : Got 8/16 Data Sufficiency questions incorrect. Got 8/12 SC's incorrect. Got 3 CR questions incorrect as well. No mistakes in RC and just 1 in the Problem Solving one.
My Goal Score is 750. 700+ is a bare minimum I aspire to get as I am targeting one of the top 20 B-Schools in the US. ISB is another option but since I happen to be yet another average engineer in this overcrowded market, only a 720+ will suffice.
I am planning to write GMAT in mid/end June. That gives me about 3 months to prepare (I will need to take a 2 week break in March for some personal reasons).
Currently I am in my Pre-final year of college and have absolutely no work experience. Depending on my GMAT scores, I might try my luck with some deferred MBA programs like Yale's or the ISB YLP or even HBS 2+2. I am yet to make a comprehensive list of all such deferred MBA programs. I don't mind working for 2-3 odd years and applying later with work ex as well but I feel this is the correct time for me to write the GMAT since I have free time to prepare. Also, the scores being valid for 5 years is a huge plus point.
Just wanted to share these details with y'all.
Hope everyone has a good day
Regards.
