Hi there,
A bit of background: Economics Major at NYU 3.7 GPA with 3 years work experience at a smaller asset management firm (in a niche industry).
So my GMAT story started almost two years ago when I took a Kaplan course. In hindsight, I should have put the course off until I was more serious about studying for the test (thought maybe the classes would inspire me?)
I really got serious about applying to business school at the end of last year (for Fall 2013) and began my prep (in earnest) in late March. I primarily used the following materials:
OG12
Kaplan course book and notes (to review, but didn't use them much)
MGMAT Number Properties
MGMAT Word Problems
MGMAT Geometry
GMATPrep Question Pack 1
You might be wondering why there are no verbal materials. Well, that's because when I took the first GMATPrep test (before studying anything), I scored a 690 with a lower Q score (I can't remember what) a and V45. I figured I was probably good with verbal so to focus on quant (and in following prep tests, identify my verbal weaknesses). Well, throughout my quant study, I took the following tests.
MGMAT1: 730(Q45/V45)
MGMAT2: 670(Q47/V34) - but I took this very late and was tired/groggy by the time I got to verbal
MGMAT3: 740(Q46/V45)
MGMAT4: 720(Q47/V41)
MGMAT5: 740(Q46/V45)
GMATPrep2: 710 (Q48/V39)
Just took the test today (6/25/2012) and got a 690 (Q48/V36)
So obviously, I was hoping for a higher score (or at least breaking 700), considering how I'd been doing on my practice CATs.
Towards the end of my studying, I realized my verbal had its weaknees, mainly SC. I didn't have much time to study for it and perhaps the 2nd GMATPrep test psyched me out. The weird part is that I felt like I was doing well during the verbal section (Edit: I've since read it's a bad sign if you feel the test is easy).
So anyway (sorry this is long), I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Do you think it may have also been a stamina thing? I did only do a full CAT once (GMATPrep2)...
The obvious answer is that I need to work on verbal (and I've identified that SC is my main weakness), but I would also appreciate any advice regarding how I should manage my time studying (not forgetting quant) and dealing with apps/essays.
I'd also like to note that I can't retake it in exactly a month because I will be in the midst of a big work project (will also make studying/applying more difficult) during that time, so will probably have to take it in August.
Thanks!
A bit of background: Economics Major at NYU 3.7 GPA with 3 years work experience at a smaller asset management firm (in a niche industry).
So my GMAT story started almost two years ago when I took a Kaplan course. In hindsight, I should have put the course off until I was more serious about studying for the test (thought maybe the classes would inspire me?)
I really got serious about applying to business school at the end of last year (for Fall 2013) and began my prep (in earnest) in late March. I primarily used the following materials:
OG12
Kaplan course book and notes (to review, but didn't use them much)
MGMAT Number Properties
MGMAT Word Problems
MGMAT Geometry
GMATPrep Question Pack 1
You might be wondering why there are no verbal materials. Well, that's because when I took the first GMATPrep test (before studying anything), I scored a 690 with a lower Q score (I can't remember what) a and V45. I figured I was probably good with verbal so to focus on quant (and in following prep tests, identify my verbal weaknesses). Well, throughout my quant study, I took the following tests.
MGMAT1: 730(Q45/V45)
MGMAT2: 670(Q47/V34) - but I took this very late and was tired/groggy by the time I got to verbal
MGMAT3: 740(Q46/V45)
MGMAT4: 720(Q47/V41)
MGMAT5: 740(Q46/V45)
GMATPrep2: 710 (Q48/V39)
Just took the test today (6/25/2012) and got a 690 (Q48/V36)
So obviously, I was hoping for a higher score (or at least breaking 700), considering how I'd been doing on my practice CATs.
Towards the end of my studying, I realized my verbal had its weaknees, mainly SC. I didn't have much time to study for it and perhaps the 2nd GMATPrep test psyched me out. The weird part is that I felt like I was doing well during the verbal section (Edit: I've since read it's a bad sign if you feel the test is easy).
So anyway (sorry this is long), I was wondering if anyone had any advice. Do you think it may have also been a stamina thing? I did only do a full CAT once (GMATPrep2)...
The obvious answer is that I need to work on verbal (and I've identified that SC is my main weakness), but I would also appreciate any advice regarding how I should manage my time studying (not forgetting quant) and dealing with apps/essays.
I'd also like to note that I can't retake it in exactly a month because I will be in the midst of a big work project (will also make studying/applying more difficult) during that time, so will probably have to take it in August.
Thanks!
