-
roadrunnerz
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:03 pm
- Location: Midwest
- Followed by:1 members
- GMAT Score:780
GMAT Debrief
Profile
22 years old, Hispanic-American
1 year work experience in heavy manufacturing
Degree from top public engineering school (3.7 GPA)
Interests: Operations management
I am a recent college grad (< a year out). I prepared for the GMAT for 10 weeks. I began by trolling the gmat blog sites to decide what study materials I should purchase. After an hour or so, I decided on the following materials:
OG 12th ed
MGMAT Set of 8 Strategy Guides
I purchased these materials and then went through the OG and became comfortable with the format and content of the GMAT. I studied every night for two hours and 4 hours a day on the weekends.
Here is a breakdown of my study plan:
1st week - OG 12th ed Diagnostic tests
2nd week - OG Problem Solving Questions
3rd week - OG Data Sufficiency Questions
4th week -OG Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence completion -MGMAT CAT (680)
5th week - MGMAT strategy guide 1 and 2 - MGMAT CAT (670)
6th week - MGMAT stategy guide 2 and 3 - MGMAT CAT (730)
7th week - MGMAT strategy guides 5 and 6 - MGMAT CAT (690)
8th week - MGMAT strategy guides 7 and 8 - MGMAT CAT (740)
9th week - Zuleron's 198 questions - GMAT CAT 1 (760)
10th week - Review missed questions and relax
I began doing the CATs with the AWA portion starting on the week 7 CAT. I felt prepared entering the exam.
Exam Day
I reviewed the AWA template I made and a crib sheet with some number properties. I arrived at the center 30 minutes early and ate an apple and drank some water. I took the AWA portion confident about my response on the Argument essay and less so on the Issues essay. I took about a six minute break and ate my granola bar and ate another apple. I began the Quant section and after about 15 questions I did not feel like the questions were truly difficult; this bothered me and I convinced myself that I messed the section up. I took another six minute break to eat a banana and psyche myself up for the Verbal section. I felt like I chose the correct answer on all but a hand-full of the verbal questions. I saw my score and legitimately thought it was a mistake. I felt proud the entire day and my family and girlfriend were all very excited to hear that I did so well.
Major Takeaways
The GMAT is much easier than the MGMAT CATs. Also, I only had one question regarding combinations and it was simple; I would not recommend spending your time trying to understand all the nuances of this problem type. Make sure you attempt every question in the OG. Use an error log template to record all your responses to the questions and in the last week cover the questions you missed. Also, make sure to complete the Problem Short Sets at the end of all MGMAT Strategy guides. Make sure you take the CATs seriously and do them completely (including the essays). The CATs will build your stamina so that you can complete the test and still have energy after you see your great score ( Energy to lift your much needed celebratory brew). Good luck to everyone and believe me, the GMAT is all about preparation.
Profile
22 years old, Hispanic-American
1 year work experience in heavy manufacturing
Degree from top public engineering school (3.7 GPA)
Interests: Operations management
I am a recent college grad (< a year out). I prepared for the GMAT for 10 weeks. I began by trolling the gmat blog sites to decide what study materials I should purchase. After an hour or so, I decided on the following materials:
OG 12th ed
MGMAT Set of 8 Strategy Guides
I purchased these materials and then went through the OG and became comfortable with the format and content of the GMAT. I studied every night for two hours and 4 hours a day on the weekends.
Here is a breakdown of my study plan:
1st week - OG 12th ed Diagnostic tests
2nd week - OG Problem Solving Questions
3rd week - OG Data Sufficiency Questions
4th week -OG Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence completion -MGMAT CAT (680)
5th week - MGMAT strategy guide 1 and 2 - MGMAT CAT (670)
6th week - MGMAT stategy guide 2 and 3 - MGMAT CAT (730)
7th week - MGMAT strategy guides 5 and 6 - MGMAT CAT (690)
8th week - MGMAT strategy guides 7 and 8 - MGMAT CAT (740)
9th week - Zuleron's 198 questions - GMAT CAT 1 (760)
10th week - Review missed questions and relax
I began doing the CATs with the AWA portion starting on the week 7 CAT. I felt prepared entering the exam.
Exam Day
I reviewed the AWA template I made and a crib sheet with some number properties. I arrived at the center 30 minutes early and ate an apple and drank some water. I took the AWA portion confident about my response on the Argument essay and less so on the Issues essay. I took about a six minute break and ate my granola bar and ate another apple. I began the Quant section and after about 15 questions I did not feel like the questions were truly difficult; this bothered me and I convinced myself that I messed the section up. I took another six minute break to eat a banana and psyche myself up for the Verbal section. I felt like I chose the correct answer on all but a hand-full of the verbal questions. I saw my score and legitimately thought it was a mistake. I felt proud the entire day and my family and girlfriend were all very excited to hear that I did so well.
Major Takeaways
The GMAT is much easier than the MGMAT CATs. Also, I only had one question regarding combinations and it was simple; I would not recommend spending your time trying to understand all the nuances of this problem type. Make sure you attempt every question in the OG. Use an error log template to record all your responses to the questions and in the last week cover the questions you missed. Also, make sure to complete the Problem Short Sets at the end of all MGMAT Strategy guides. Make sure you take the CATs seriously and do them completely (including the essays). The CATs will build your stamina so that you can complete the test and still have energy after you see your great score ( Energy to lift your much needed celebratory brew). Good luck to everyone and believe me, the GMAT is all about preparation.
Last edited by roadrunnerz on Wed Mar 30, 2011 5:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
