Hi All,
I have been on beathtegmat forum for past 1.3 years. Reading others inspiring stories gives me a guiding force to work harder and say to myself "If they can do it, so can I" - Nothing is Impossible.
My background:
UGPA- 60%-Bachelors in Mechanical Eng from India. Work Exp before Grad school-2 yrs
2. GGPA-3.71, Master in Industrial Eng, Work Exp after MS-4.5 yrs till day, + 11 months internship Diverse Experience: Automotive Technology + Medical Technology. Both Fortune 300 companies
Material I have used in my preparation:
1. Manhattan GMAT - all books
2. Manhattan GMAT online access to their full content
3. Powerscore - CR Bible
4. GMAThacks - The Math guide
5. GmatPrep - 10th, 11th, 12th ( you can see I have been doing this for awhile)
I started my preparation in October/Novemeber 2008. In 2008 though I studied the gmat, but I think I did not understand how difficult it is to conquer the beast. After enough of preparation, I gave my first attempt on June 2009
First attempt: 470 (V-20, Q-36, 4.5) - Lost 5 minutes on the test
After I came back from my first break (2mins earlier than break), the proctor did not sign me and forgot her password, as a result one I was seated and ended up starting the Quant section 1.30 mins behind. This did create the anxiety I did not need and it so happened that I had to end up guessing the last 7-8 questions. My poor result is evident of my setback.
It was strange, but when I cam back from the second break, another proctor made the same mistake and this time around I ended up loosing 3.5 mins + overall in the verbal section. Something that further frustrated me, because of the negligence of both proctors. Both of them were old ladies. I had to end-up guessing the last 7-8 questions because of this issue and also because verbal is my weak section. I even complained to GMAC and spent few hours over the phone discussing this issue but they were reluctant to help or void this score.
As they say time is the key. I took my next date on Sep 3, 2009.
Second attempt: 500 (V-21, Q-37, 4.5)
This time around, I realized I cannot rely on proctor's ability to log me in or out, so while I was practicing full-length tests, I reduced my break time to half so that even this problem were to happen again, I would have plenty of time to cover it.
I had completed the 10th, 11th edition of the books once and even completed the quant and verbal guides. I had tracked my mistakes via Manhattan Gmat tracking tool so that I could go back and re-do tests when it came close to the exam.
I used the ManhattanGMAT Quant books as a reference guide and paid more attention on the Verbal Section.
During the test, I had no issues with the proctor this time (same location, but the break time was reduced during this time), but I could not complete the exam on time and had to guess 5-7 questions on both sections.
I was actually shocked to see my quant score, since I thought I did well, but then in hindsight may be some of guesses could have been wrong.
By the way, I am married to a beautiful and caring wife, so she was going through all the pain as I.
Third attempt: 550 (V-23, Q-44, 5.5) on February 2010.
I took a break from GMAT to India for vacations and realized that I needed lot of work to be done on verbal section. Thus, took a short crash course from Powerscore. Their tips were helpful and the tutor recommended me I understand the mechanics of SC and give my exam sometime in Feb or March.
This time around I changed my location of test too and I am not sure whether it had an impact on my score or not, but my score improved and that is what mattered to me.
Still at my third attempt I was frustrated on why verbal score did not improve.
Fourth: 600 (V-25, Q-46, 5.0) on May 2010.
With the fourth attempt, I decided that I needed more personal help and hired an online tutor. The Online tutor was located in West coast and I am in East coast. Working with for him 1.5 months and by myself, I spend 70-80% of time on Verbal. I did understand SC well and I believe I have improved my ability to distill and identify issues with wrong and correct answers much more than my first attempt. However, CR was still my weak point. I went through the same regimen this time, but did things differently. I was more focused on Verbal section - Solved 10 independent tests and couple of GMATPrep full length tests. I also solved the Verbal guide and 12th edition. Repeatedly doing them again and again, I was able to understand how GMATPrep develops question and in same cases knew the answers within 20 sec of reading the question.
In fact, I even took a week-off from work to focus on gmat and not deal with work or political related issues at work.
During this attempt, I was not able to complete the issue essay they way I wanted. In the Quant section, I was able to complete the section in time with only guessing two questions and with the Verbal, I ended up guessing 4-5 questions much less than before, but still not what I expected.
My GmatPrep score during my fourth attempt:
GPrep 2 on 04/01 - V-31, did not solve Quant
GPrep 1 on 04/02 - V-31, did not solve Quant
GPrep 1 on 04/03 - Q-48, V-35 (Score: 680) - many repetitions from previous test
Gprep 2 on 04/05 - V-35, did not solve Quant
Gprep 2 on 04/07 - Q-47, V-35 (Score: 680) - few repetitions from previous test
Gprep 2 on 04/08 -V-28, did not solve Quant
During most of my practice tests, I did not write the essays. I do have score from my other practice exams, but they are on similar lines. My Manhanttan practice test score were in the range of 550-600. In most of Grep tests, there were many repetitions so at times I feel it was not representative of the real exam.
I understand I need to increase my score in Verbal from 26-to 38-40, which I believe is possible. Through history (GRE) I have realized, I am not a good Computer Adaptive test taker.
My mistakes:
1. Not solving the complete exams in practice tests
2. Giving just GPrep and ManhanttanGmat tests was not enough. The reason I did this because through my research I have heard other are not representative of the real test.
3. Completing GMAT and may be even MBA before I got married so that my spouse does not have to go through the pain and frustrations as I.
My question are to experts such as Ian, Stacy, Stuart and others, and fellow test takers who have successfully made this leap in their verbal score.
1. What should I do differently this time and make sure the plan sticks
2. I would like to increase my score in 1.5 months. Is this achievable and realistic?
3. I have heard numerous times that no. of attempts do not matter. However, will it matter to the schools that may be in my 5th attempt I have achieved the desired score.
Look forward to suggestions from expert advice and fellow test takers.
Thank you.
I have been on beathtegmat forum for past 1.3 years. Reading others inspiring stories gives me a guiding force to work harder and say to myself "If they can do it, so can I" - Nothing is Impossible.
My background:
UGPA- 60%-Bachelors in Mechanical Eng from India. Work Exp before Grad school-2 yrs
2. GGPA-3.71, Master in Industrial Eng, Work Exp after MS-4.5 yrs till day, + 11 months internship Diverse Experience: Automotive Technology + Medical Technology. Both Fortune 300 companies
Material I have used in my preparation:
1. Manhattan GMAT - all books
2. Manhattan GMAT online access to their full content
3. Powerscore - CR Bible
4. GMAThacks - The Math guide
5. GmatPrep - 10th, 11th, 12th ( you can see I have been doing this for awhile)
I started my preparation in October/Novemeber 2008. In 2008 though I studied the gmat, but I think I did not understand how difficult it is to conquer the beast. After enough of preparation, I gave my first attempt on June 2009
First attempt: 470 (V-20, Q-36, 4.5) - Lost 5 minutes on the test
After I came back from my first break (2mins earlier than break), the proctor did not sign me and forgot her password, as a result one I was seated and ended up starting the Quant section 1.30 mins behind. This did create the anxiety I did not need and it so happened that I had to end up guessing the last 7-8 questions. My poor result is evident of my setback.
It was strange, but when I cam back from the second break, another proctor made the same mistake and this time around I ended up loosing 3.5 mins + overall in the verbal section. Something that further frustrated me, because of the negligence of both proctors. Both of them were old ladies. I had to end-up guessing the last 7-8 questions because of this issue and also because verbal is my weak section. I even complained to GMAC and spent few hours over the phone discussing this issue but they were reluctant to help or void this score.
As they say time is the key. I took my next date on Sep 3, 2009.
Second attempt: 500 (V-21, Q-37, 4.5)
This time around, I realized I cannot rely on proctor's ability to log me in or out, so while I was practicing full-length tests, I reduced my break time to half so that even this problem were to happen again, I would have plenty of time to cover it.
I had completed the 10th, 11th edition of the books once and even completed the quant and verbal guides. I had tracked my mistakes via Manhattan Gmat tracking tool so that I could go back and re-do tests when it came close to the exam.
I used the ManhattanGMAT Quant books as a reference guide and paid more attention on the Verbal Section.
During the test, I had no issues with the proctor this time (same location, but the break time was reduced during this time), but I could not complete the exam on time and had to guess 5-7 questions on both sections.
I was actually shocked to see my quant score, since I thought I did well, but then in hindsight may be some of guesses could have been wrong.
By the way, I am married to a beautiful and caring wife, so she was going through all the pain as I.
Third attempt: 550 (V-23, Q-44, 5.5) on February 2010.
I took a break from GMAT to India for vacations and realized that I needed lot of work to be done on verbal section. Thus, took a short crash course from Powerscore. Their tips were helpful and the tutor recommended me I understand the mechanics of SC and give my exam sometime in Feb or March.
This time around I changed my location of test too and I am not sure whether it had an impact on my score or not, but my score improved and that is what mattered to me.
Still at my third attempt I was frustrated on why verbal score did not improve.
Fourth: 600 (V-25, Q-46, 5.0) on May 2010.
With the fourth attempt, I decided that I needed more personal help and hired an online tutor. The Online tutor was located in West coast and I am in East coast. Working with for him 1.5 months and by myself, I spend 70-80% of time on Verbal. I did understand SC well and I believe I have improved my ability to distill and identify issues with wrong and correct answers much more than my first attempt. However, CR was still my weak point. I went through the same regimen this time, but did things differently. I was more focused on Verbal section - Solved 10 independent tests and couple of GMATPrep full length tests. I also solved the Verbal guide and 12th edition. Repeatedly doing them again and again, I was able to understand how GMATPrep develops question and in same cases knew the answers within 20 sec of reading the question.
In fact, I even took a week-off from work to focus on gmat and not deal with work or political related issues at work.
During this attempt, I was not able to complete the issue essay they way I wanted. In the Quant section, I was able to complete the section in time with only guessing two questions and with the Verbal, I ended up guessing 4-5 questions much less than before, but still not what I expected.
My GmatPrep score during my fourth attempt:
GPrep 2 on 04/01 - V-31, did not solve Quant
GPrep 1 on 04/02 - V-31, did not solve Quant
GPrep 1 on 04/03 - Q-48, V-35 (Score: 680) - many repetitions from previous test
Gprep 2 on 04/05 - V-35, did not solve Quant
Gprep 2 on 04/07 - Q-47, V-35 (Score: 680) - few repetitions from previous test
Gprep 2 on 04/08 -V-28, did not solve Quant
During most of my practice tests, I did not write the essays. I do have score from my other practice exams, but they are on similar lines. My Manhanttan practice test score were in the range of 550-600. In most of Grep tests, there were many repetitions so at times I feel it was not representative of the real exam.
I understand I need to increase my score in Verbal from 26-to 38-40, which I believe is possible. Through history (GRE) I have realized, I am not a good Computer Adaptive test taker.
My mistakes:
1. Not solving the complete exams in practice tests
2. Giving just GPrep and ManhanttanGmat tests was not enough. The reason I did this because through my research I have heard other are not representative of the real test.
3. Completing GMAT and may be even MBA before I got married so that my spouse does not have to go through the pain and frustrations as I.
My question are to experts such as Ian, Stacy, Stuart and others, and fellow test takers who have successfully made this leap in their verbal score.
1. What should I do differently this time and make sure the plan sticks
2. I would like to increase my score in 1.5 months. Is this achievable and realistic?
3. I have heard numerous times that no. of attempts do not matter. However, will it matter to the schools that may be in my 5th attempt I have achieved the desired score.
Look forward to suggestions from expert advice and fellow test takers.
Thank you.
