I took GMAT on March 9 and score 610(45,28).
This was way below my expectation level. I studied for over 3 months and last one month i put in lot of efforts. Frankly i have studied most of the verbal material but i find it hard to apply them during practice. I would like to mention my GMAT prep and MGMAT practice score:
GMATprep 1 680 (Q 49 , V 34) 25th Feb
MGMAT 1 720 ( Q 46, V 42) 27th feb
MGMAT 3 650 (Q 46, V 34) 3rd march
MGMAT 2 670 (Q 45, V 36) 5th march
GMATprep 2 660(Q 48, V 34) This was one day before the test
All the tests were timed and during GMATprep 2 i wrote essays as well.
Actual GMAT 610 (Q 45, V 28)
On test day:
Quant: I could not solve first question and panicked. Also, i spent too much time on next few problems due to this I had to pace up towards the end. I am sure i guessed some questions. At the end of Queant section i knew i didn't do well.
I took a break and i went ahead with verbal.
Verbal: I felt i was doing good and i did it in usual manner. I was expecting at least 34-36 on test day.
Verbal:
1) Manhattan SC: i have read it twice few months back but i guess i know most of the general rules. I did not have time to revise before exam though.
2) Powerscore CR bible: I have read it and made notes but i am not able to apply the concepts during practice session and exam. I end up using my my general understanding of argument. If i understand argument well then i get it right else wrong. Moreover, i am usually stuck between two close answer choices.
3) Kaplan GMAT premier 2010: I used this book for RC strategy and found this good enough for practicing RC, SC and CR.
4) OG 10 and 12: I practiced OG 12 questions.For CR and SC i maintained an excel sheet and practiced around 20 questions from both sections. I also did some RC from OG-12.
5) Manhattan GMAT flash cards and spidey's notes.
6) BTG online practice questions.
Books used:
Quant:
1) Kaplan GMAT premier 2010: I studied most of the quant theory from this book. Also referred to some flash cards and other material for formula.
2) Online BTG practice question pool. In fact i revised them 2 days before test day.
One note here: i never did OG as i found them too easy.
My weak areas:
1) DS: especially number problems, inequalities, advanced permutation combination problems and complex word problems.
2) Problem Solving: Slow speed and word problems.
3) RC: I have no strategy to improve it apart from studying and practicing. I have to reread passage in case of detail questions and i end up making mistakes as i am not sure.
4) CR: it was fine during practice of OG questions but my performance for this section has been inconsistent.
5) SC: I really feel this is my strong point but i am not sure how to be 100% sure about all the answers. Sometimes i just guess between two close answers.
In sum, i really need to figure out a new schedule and approach for preparation, and do it within 1 to 1.5 months. I have not scheduled the test date yet, as i was not sure about the strategy and the amount of time i would need to implement it. Aim 700+ score.
This was way below my expectation level. I studied for over 3 months and last one month i put in lot of efforts. Frankly i have studied most of the verbal material but i find it hard to apply them during practice. I would like to mention my GMAT prep and MGMAT practice score:
GMATprep 1 680 (Q 49 , V 34) 25th Feb
MGMAT 1 720 ( Q 46, V 42) 27th feb
MGMAT 3 650 (Q 46, V 34) 3rd march
MGMAT 2 670 (Q 45, V 36) 5th march
GMATprep 2 660(Q 48, V 34) This was one day before the test
All the tests were timed and during GMATprep 2 i wrote essays as well.
Actual GMAT 610 (Q 45, V 28)
On test day:
Quant: I could not solve first question and panicked. Also, i spent too much time on next few problems due to this I had to pace up towards the end. I am sure i guessed some questions. At the end of Queant section i knew i didn't do well.
I took a break and i went ahead with verbal.
Verbal: I felt i was doing good and i did it in usual manner. I was expecting at least 34-36 on test day.
Verbal:
1) Manhattan SC: i have read it twice few months back but i guess i know most of the general rules. I did not have time to revise before exam though.
2) Powerscore CR bible: I have read it and made notes but i am not able to apply the concepts during practice session and exam. I end up using my my general understanding of argument. If i understand argument well then i get it right else wrong. Moreover, i am usually stuck between two close answer choices.
3) Kaplan GMAT premier 2010: I used this book for RC strategy and found this good enough for practicing RC, SC and CR.
4) OG 10 and 12: I practiced OG 12 questions.For CR and SC i maintained an excel sheet and practiced around 20 questions from both sections. I also did some RC from OG-12.
5) Manhattan GMAT flash cards and spidey's notes.
6) BTG online practice questions.
Books used:
Quant:
1) Kaplan GMAT premier 2010: I studied most of the quant theory from this book. Also referred to some flash cards and other material for formula.
2) Online BTG practice question pool. In fact i revised them 2 days before test day.
One note here: i never did OG as i found them too easy.
My weak areas:
1) DS: especially number problems, inequalities, advanced permutation combination problems and complex word problems.
2) Problem Solving: Slow speed and word problems.
3) RC: I have no strategy to improve it apart from studying and practicing. I have to reread passage in case of detail questions and i end up making mistakes as i am not sure.
4) CR: it was fine during practice of OG questions but my performance for this section has been inconsistent.
5) SC: I really feel this is my strong point but i am not sure how to be 100% sure about all the answers. Sometimes i just guess between two close answers.
In sum, i really need to figure out a new schedule and approach for preparation, and do it within 1 to 1.5 months. I have not scheduled the test date yet, as i was not sure about the strategy and the amount of time i would need to implement it. Aim 700+ score.
