I just Beat The GMAT!

I posted this in the Math section, but it's probably better suited here....


Good luck!

Paul

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Hey All,

A lot of my friends in the past asked me how I did so well on the GMAT.

I scored a 780, and it was a significant difference from my original score of 580!

Here's the secret to what I did, and I hope that it will help you all as well!

About the 580:

When I took the test the first time, I scheduled the morning test. This was probably not the best strategy for me, as I had been practicing mostly in the afternoon. I was clearly physically tired in the morning, and I had to drink a cup of coffee to "stay awake" during the exam.

Looking back, this was an awful idea for me, as I was clearly out of my rhythm, and my score of 580 was significantly lower than my practice scores.

About the 780:

I was really disappointed when I got my 580, and was determined to do well. Here's what I did to do well without taking a fancy and expensive test prep course:

Step 1: Get the right materials
I purchased the following:
a) Electronic software by the ETS with the real GMAT questions (warning: do not buy the book version if you get the electronic version. The electronic version uses the same questions, and will give you a false score because you are answering questions that you've already seen).
b) I also purchased the cheapest book of GMAt questions that I could find (in my case it was the Arco book).
c) I also bought the Princeton Review's Math Workout book. This has some useful strategies on how to tackle math problems.
d) I also bought the Kaplan book with the CD. This is typically known as the hardest questions, but prepare you well for the test.

Step 2: Pace yourself and peak at the right time
I began my studies by only answering 10 questions a night using the Arco book. I gave myself an unlimited amount of time, and made sure that I was able to get the questions right. Sometimes I'd spend up to 30 minutes on 1 question to make sure that I was right. If I got something wrong, I'd spend a lot of time to make sure I know what I did wrong.

Step 2: Increase the pace
As I got better, in the 2nd or 3rd week, I answered 10 questions again, but gave myself 1 hour to finish them all. Again, the hope is that you can quicken the pace, but still get the same amount right.

Step 3: Transition to the computer tests
Since all GMAT tests are taken on a computer, I moved my studies to a computer. I made sure that I was keeping up the pace.

Step 4: not really a step, but keep this in mind.
During my studies, I made sure that I had a music break in between studies. This helped me stay in a "happy place" so that when I went and studied again that I was in the zone. For me this happened to be music, but for others this might be to eat candy, read a book, or do jumping jacks. Whatever it is, I found it useful for me to listen to music. The result was that I came back super pumped to answer test questions. I was on an adrenaline high and kicked some butt!

The key is not always to answer so many questions when practicing, but to understand how to answer the questions. Once you master this, you will do well!

Also, for me...I am not a morning person. I scheduled an afternoon sitting the second time, and the results were great for me.

If anyone has any more questions regarding the GMAT or essays, please respond to me on this board! If you're wondering, I ended up at Wharton!

Good luck!

I also got a low score, how long did u study before taking the gmat Again? Does anyone know a recommended time to wait?

Mandatory 30 day. I'd say until you're confident you'll do better. Confidence is probably the biggest factor, after you've given the necessary study time.

thanx for ur post

I took the minimal amount of time to retake the test. I believe that I actually took it within 28 days.....This had something to do with the number of days in the month. This might be different nowadays.

For me, I didn't think that I had many fundamental problems, but I was just tired and not in "the zone" when I took the test. As I posted previously, I had to get up super early to find the test center and get parking....Since I'm not a morning person, I wasn't feeling too sharp when I started the exam.

Taking a break and scheduling an afternoon test date were pretty big for me. I also was able to regain my confidence and was relaxed the second time.

In order to prep, follow my steps for success....it works!

Good luck!

Paul
[email protected]
www.EssayMatch.com

Congrats boatracers!
&thanks for the debrief.

boatracers wrote:I posted this in the Math section, but it's probably better suited here....

maybe this thread deserve to be here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/i-just-beat- ... t-f15.html
moving...

awesome score !

Wow man it is a wonderful score. Great going.

thanks. great story.
Music sounds great but Pearson doesn't allow to use any electronic devices during the breaks.

Oh sorry. When I took the test, they had a "locker" that you could put things in. This could be your phone, keys, drinks, etc.

If you can't use electronic devices this would change the game plan some.

Good luck!

Paul
[email protected]
www.EssayMatch.com

superrrom wrote:thanks. great story.
Music sounds great but Pearson doesn't allow to use any electronic devices during the breaks.

Hey Congrates Buddy for Awesome score!!!!!
I have the same queries. If please can U solve..
I took GMAT on sept 5.. But scored 550 only.. Q-49 V-19 AWA-5..

Planning to take GMAT again by dec end..

Books tht I bought are
Priceton review
kaplan 800 2007-2008 (Without CD)
OG 11

My target is 680 to 700..
I want some guidence regarding the same..
help me!!!!!!!!!!!

Kudos.....

That is an amazing score...Its actually my target score.My last attempt was in March 2008 and a i got a whooping 450:Q35,V17.I have never been devastated like that.This score actually bruised my ego.

After 5 months of a break from GMAT, i have risen up again and want to sit my exams Nov 25th.

I have concentrated on Princeton to gather fundamentals.Now trying to do practice using the 800Score practice tests and the Princeton tests.


I am targeting 780 because i wanna get to Wharton.Any special advise?

Hi ,
i have taken gmat on wednesday but didnt perform well (650 49 quant 30 - english) . i have no problem in maths . i didnt study maths at all but managed to get 49 . Can some one help me out i really feel dejected by gmat

If you get 5 points extra in verbal next time u reach 700..it is as simple as that..its not going to be too difficult also i suppose..start working on it

hey there,

one thing to note as well:

1. My strength was also on the quant side. Instead of not studying for match, my goal was to actually try to get a 100% score on the math side, and I therefore studied pretty hard for that too. Getting a perfect score on the quant side will help bring you up by some points.

2. For the English...well, English wasn't my first language either. However, I've lived in the United States and was a writer for a long time. I realized that the hardest part for me was the reading comprehension. To help myself, I would read the paragraph, and think what I would think of titles and the main point before looking at the questions/answers. Amazingly, most of the time I was correct. I also got really lucky, and the paragraphs that I was given were topics that I had previous interest in, and therefore I followed it much easier.

Sometimes it's luck, but you can minimize by preparation.

If you're good at quant, aim for 100%.

If you need help in the verbal side, find out what it is and focus on that.

I hope that this helps.

Good luck!

Paul
[email protected]
www.EssayMatch.com

rashmi.mishra wrote:Hi ,
i have taken gmat on wednesday but didnt perform well (650 49 quant 30 - english) . i have no problem in maths . i didnt study maths at all but managed to get 49 . Can some one help me out i really feel dejected by gmat