This debrief has been pending for a while now. I wrote my GMAT on 16th Septemeber 2010 - technically my third attempt, but the only time I actually got to write and report my score - 710, Q48, V40.
My first attempt was last year around the same time, with very less preparation and even lower confidence - so low that I did not dare to report the score. The second time was a few days before 16th when I was not allowed to take the exam as my name on my new passport did not match my profile name on GMAC. But, I did not give up, I re-registered and finally cracked it.
I did go to a coaching center last year but did not take it quite seriously. I must say, one of my friends has been the biggest influence and support for me - guiding me through the entire process. I had almost given up on my MBA plans when one fine day, after cycling for about an hour, something inside me told me I gotta beat the GMAT and go for my MBA and eventually empower myself to fulfil my dream of becoming an effective change maker in the field of environmental sustainability.
So, I started again. I gathered all my books - OG 11, IMS stuff, Barrons, etc. Help started pouring in. I heard about Manhattan through a friend and OG 12 books from another friend. I read through scores of blog posts on Beat the GMAT and also used their flash cards - printed on recycled paper. I made study plans - and stuck to it for most part. Yes, there were days when I couldn't stick to it entirely, but I made up for it some other day. Since I had quit my regular day job to volunteer for environmental activities, I could control my working hours and devote more time for GMAT preparation.
Strategy:
- I prefered studying on my own, sharing doubts and fears with a friend/study partner
- Took a test almost everday - without the essays.
- Signed up for the 60-day free study plan from Beat the GMAT - I gained from their daily inspirational quotes more than anything else
Resources that I accessed:
- OG 11, 12 - I did them twice and noted the time for each and every answer - analysed every answer that was wrong or took more than 2 min
- Kaplan Premier - for basics and strategies like educated guessing, backsolving, picking numbers, etc.
- Manhattan RC - I realized that I was pathetic at RC - Manhattan helped me improve significantly.
- Manhattan and Princeton Review - online tests
- For AWA, I wrote a few essays during my practice tests and read almost all the topics given in OG - spending a few mintues gathering my thoughts on every topic. Both the topics I got were those that I had thought through already.
- Blogs and forums - https://outbeat-the-gmat.blocked/, https://www.beatthegmat.com/, https://gmatclub.com/, https://blog.clearadmit.com/
Time management:
The various posts on BTG helped me immensely. I would like to mention a few of them here.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/02/ ... case-study
https://gmatclub.com/forum/timing-strate ... 80176.html
Motivation, confidence building and rejunevation:
I read success stories on BTG for inspiration, read motivational quotes, saw inspirational videos and meditated almost
daily. Working in the garden and playing with our dog also helped me relax.
I must thank my family as well for putting up with me as I locked myself up in my room for most part of my study period.
Practice Tests:
- Princeton Review online tests - my scores Varied from 590 to 700. The tests do not seem to be adaptive, but it makes for good practice.
- Kaplan - I do not recommend them. For one, they did not run properly on my system and two, I never touched 700 on these tests.
- Manhattan - preparing for running a 1000 mts race when you are actually going to run a 800 mts race - that is how I would describe these tests. My scores varied from 590 to 700. The first time I got a 700 on these tests, it was a big boost to my confidence.
- Last but not the least - GMATPrep - the only test that is as close to the actual test, obviously. Started from 560 and reached a top score of 780. The problem here is you tend to remember the answers and get comfortable with the RC passages. But as I started reaching 700, the questions changed greatly, and I got the best practice on these tests.
The day of the exam:
I got a good sleep before the day of the exam. On the day of the exam, I maintained my regular routine - meditated, had breakfast and started early. There were some technical issues at the center which caused a delay of 40 min. I couldn't afford to lose my calm - so I just walked around a bit and breathed normally. I took both the breaks during which I had water. By the time I reached the Verbal section, I was very hungry, but at the same time, confident that I would cross 700 since the last few questions on Quant were really tough. I finally saw a score of 710 - I expected I would be overjoyed, but I wasn't. Scores of 770-780 on the practice tests had got me habituated to good scores
I hope my experience helps others, just as others' experiences have helped me. I am now appllying to my dream schools.
All those MBA aspirers, just go for it - Beat the GMAT. If I can do it, anyone can.
"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul."
- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Many Thanks,
Lavanya
(A typical Indian IT woman with atypical dreams)
