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Advice required - preparation for GMAT on 18th Jan

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Advice required - preparation for GMAT on 18th Jan

by stevieg » Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:20 pm
Hey all,

I've been a regular on this site - its awesome.

So I've been spending the last couple of months studying for the GMAT day in, day out. I'm looking to apply to the top 5 schools, with HBS my top pick. My application is complete, with strong references and essays. Extra-curricular are strong and am looking to move into the non-profit.

Unfortunately. at the moment I simply can't get over 620 in practice tests. Verbal is my strength and I'm hitting 80% regularly on practice tests but my quant is abysmal. (40th percentile). I've put so much work into this and am really worried that D-day will arrive and i'll flunk it completely. With the exam only a week away, I need to study smart and focus on my quant which I am doing. However, I'm really confused as to what I should be focusing on and how I can study smart given the minimal time left.

Am really stressed about it -any advice would be appreciated. I fear that with a 600 or less its all over.

Thanks
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by vivecan2005 » Tue Jan 05, 2010 4:50 pm
stevieg wrote:Hey all,

I've been a regular on this site - its awesome.

So I've been spending the last couple of months studying for the GMAT day in, day out. I'm looking to apply to the top 5 schools, with HBS my top pick. My application is complete, with strong references and essays. Extra-curricular are strong and am looking to move into the non-profit.

Unfortunately. at the moment I simply can't get over 620 in practice tests. Verbal is my strength and I'm hitting 80% regularly on practice tests but my quant is abysmal. (40th percentile). I've put so much work into this and am really worried that D-day will arrive and i'll flunk it completely. With the exam only a week away, I need to study smart and focus on my quant which I am doing. However, I'm really confused as to what I should be focusing on and how I can study smart given the minimal time left.

Am really stressed about it -any advice would be appreciated. I fear that with a 600 or less its all over.

Thanks
3-4 days before test make sure you take care of everything is your life other than exam like your personal issues etc. Don't do complete test before exam try to evaluate your preformance on the basis of score in practice test instead do representative question of all sections:


Data Sufficiency
Problem Solving
Reading C
Critical R
Sentence C

goog luck
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by zonda12 » Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:05 pm
My math is also weak. I'd highly suggest you get Manhattan math guides...they helped me a lot. Get your core concepts right and you'll do well with the questions.

Also, go beyond the stuff explained in books such as OG. I read through math concepts that I considered weak. Sure you don't need to know all, but imo fundamentals are the key for Quant. Use wiki, google etc.

For instance, this helped me with Probability (link found on this forum I think): https://www.mansw.nsw.edu.au/members/ref ... no4yen.htm

And then there's practice. Have you gone through all the OG math questions? Read Kaplan?

I've got a month to master math :( Atleast my verbal is decent lol.
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by stevieg » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:11 pm
Hey guys, thanks for your repsonses. I've purchased the Manhatten books a while back and have been studying hard.

Thanks for the probability link zonda.

I've gone through all of the OG maths questions and read Kaplan.

My verbal is also pretty strong, hitting the 90th percentile in practice tests, just the maths is tough.

Also does anyone have any success stories of low GMAT's for top 10 schools (HBS in particular). Am looking for a bit of inspiration as I've completed the application, essays and my references and will therefore definately be submitting my application. I think my application is pretty strong and hopefully if i can get 600+, even though this probably won't be enough, at least it won't be abysmal.

Thanks all!
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by Koolnal » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:06 pm
Hi there,

I am in a similar boat as you. Even I am applying for HBS and have finished most of the other sections and just focusing now on GMAT (taking it on the 16th Jan). I have already taken the GMAT once (Nov) and scored 620 (44,31,6.0) and I am struggling to break 670 in my practice tests so far.

My strategy to improve my scores is to focus on reading new literature and learn new concepts and shortcuts instead of doing several CATs (which I did a lot last time around and its pointless unless your knowledge level is on the 700 benchmark).

With regards to your question about making it to Harvard with a low GMAT score, have a look at this video to get some solace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y6022aNtnQ

Wishing you all the very best! Who knows we might meet later this year at HBS! ;)
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by beatthegmat » Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:57 pm
Moving this thread to the GMAT Strategy section. Good luck!
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by stevieg » Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:00 pm
Hey Koolnal- thanks for the post. Cheers for the link. Certainly reassuring!

I think that is what I have been doing too-instead of taking loads of CATS to simply focus on getting new literature and understanding.

I think for most schools there is no set criteria for GMAT scores-just depends on how you articulate yourself in the application I guess.

Hopefully, fingers cross, we may meet each other at HBS :-). So have you finished your apps and where else are you planning to apply?
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by Koolnal » Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:59 pm
Hey StevieG,

How did it go?

Unfortunately I was not able to improve on my score, so will have to submit my app and hope for the best!

I am not applying to any of other top B-Schools except for Harvard (HBS has been my only dream for the past 5 years!), so its a do or die...:-|

Good luck with the deadline tom! I am struggling with keeping things under the word limit for Essays but apart from that alls fine =)
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