I just Beat The GMAT!

Hi All,

This is such a moment of relief..Scored a 750 ( Q: 50, V:41) on the GMAT on 13th Aug.

Let me begin with my background.

Indian Male Software Engineer ( the next evolving species..!!)
2 years of work exp in a top MNC in Hyderabad.
Started my GMAT prep in Jul 2009 and gave GMAT in Dec 2009. Scored a 680 ( Q:51, V:29). I knew I could do better in verbal, so decided to give again. Took a 5 month break in between( various family issues..but I suggest do not take such breaks if you are planning to retake) and prepared for 3 more months (May 2010 to July 2010) and scored a 750 today.


-------Books I followed--------

Quant:

OG 12
Manhattan review

Verbal( Big List):

OG 12
OG 10(please get OG 10 even if you have OG12)
Verbal Review 2.0
Kaplan 2008-09 Advanced
Kaplan Work Book
LSAT tests(For extra practice for CR)
Manhattan GMAT sentence correction(please get the latest edition)
Power score CR bible

Tests:

1.Manhattan GMAT 6 tests( these are free when you purchase the book.You can reset the test after you finish all six. Resetting gives another 6 tests(same pool of questions though)
2.GMAT Prep(2 tests. did both the tests twice)
3.One Veritas free exam
4.Manhattan Review(5 tests)
5.ETS sets( There are 30 quant and 30 verbal, but I only gave 4 verbal exams. These exams are good but most of the SC, CR questions are from OG and verbal review)

--------My strategy---------

Joined a coaching centre(Manhattan review) in Hyderabad for 8 weekends. Got an overview of all the types of questions and a brief understanding of the concepts. Additional 4 weekends of classes only for solving advanced problems.

After the 12 weekend classes, spent approx 20 hrs per week( 10 weekday hours and 10 weekend hours).
Gave one full length test each week to track my preparation. Start these tests only after you have gone through all the concepts.

I used to solve a max of 20 questions of any type per day( max of 20 SC or max of 20 PS).


If you are working somewhere, try to take a break for 10 days before the final exam.
Also, try not to postpone your AWA prep till the end. If possible, try to write the full length tests along with AWA( seriously this helps a lot.)

Other tips:
1.If your exam is from 9AM-1PM, prepare for the exam during that part of the day
2.Do not follow those questions which do not have good answer explanations(I do not suggest you prepare from 1000SC,1000CR etc.)
3.Maintain an error log.
4.You will only and only learn from your mistakes.

Thanks
Nikhil

great score.. buddy..
can you share your practice test scores ?

how was qaunt compared to quant in gmat prep test?

Congrats!! Great score indeed!!

Amazing score dude..

@All Thank you very much...

My practice test scores were

1. MGMAT tests ( avg abt 740)
2. GMAT prep( 710 and 730)

Great score

great score indeed!!

can you give your percentiles as well...?

Quant - 93 percentile
Verbal - 92 percentile
Overall - 98 percentile

Dear Nikhil,
Great Score buddy!!
Can you please list the books you refered for basic?Planning to take my GMAT somewhere in Dec/Jan. Just started thinking seriously about the GMAT prep..its almost 10 years away from study being into works.. bit hazzy at the begin , which books, what study approach whar strategy to take .

Regards,
Narendra

Congrats on the awesome score!!

Wow !! an awesome score. You have really worked hard to achieve it and you have just done it. You deserve it..enjoy the moment of success.