-
sakooistra
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:34 am
I took the GMAT 6.5 years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't apply to any programs during the 5 years my score was effective. Back then, I was thinking of going to a part-time MBA program right out of college while starting my career in public accounting. I was way off base there. Not much time for an MBA program while your working 60+ hours per week and traveling on a regular basis.
For my first attempt, I took the Kaplan classroom course. At that time all of my math was fresh and my verbal was OK. This course helped me to get the best score I could with my then current knowledge base. My first practice tests were in the low 500 range. After completing the course and studying only the materials provided, I scored a 650 on my first and only official attempt. I was extremely happy with the result. I remember my math was much better than my verbal.
Now, here I am, finally ready to apply to grad school and no GMAT score to submit. My work experience is good. I have 5 busy seasons (internship plus 3.5 years full time) of audit with a big 4 public accouting firm and 2 years in Finance/Accounting for a Fortune 100 insurance company, including working in Financial Reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley as well as setting up the accounting and control framework for a new business unit and most recently heading up an accounting policy group. My educational background looks OK from a high level. I ended up with an overall 3.3 GPA with 150+ credits allowing me to sit for the CPA exam in Florida. However, my scholastic career spanned 9+ years and included a semester at a state school (1.95 GPA - 1 incomplete and 1 Fail), 1.5 year break, a semester at a community college (3.3 GPA - 3 classes), 2 year break, Associate in Accounting (3.5 GPA), Bachelor in Accounting (overall scholastic 3.3). I'm currently looking at 3 programs. For 2 of them, I feel I will need a strong GMAT. One of the programs has an application deadline of July 15th, which gives me just over 2 months to prep for the exam to ensure that my official scores will make it to the school on time. So here I am, almost 7 years later, back at it again.
I'm going to be digging into my preperation this week. Thus far, I've done the following:
March 31st - Shopping
I found my old Kaplan books. I decided that even if I use some of the information, all of the practice questions have been marked and there are notes throughout the old questions. It was time to hit the bookstore. I picked up the Kaplan Premier Course. I liked that it came with a CD full of practice questions and CATs. What I didn't realize was that this book was so much more. I sat down and read through the first couple of pages. That's when I realized that you can sign up online and do the diagnostic, practice sessions, and practice CATs online. It also includes an online syllabus that you check off and date items as you complete them.
April 1st - Kaplan Diagnostic:
Score 71.5% DS 0/7 PS 8/11 CR 6/6 RC 6/7 SC 7/7
I found this earth shattering. My world has seemed to flip-flop. I was always strong in math. How could my math be so bad and my verbal be so good. My saving grace is that I used to be good at math. I have been out of college now for over 5 years. I do not use a lot of the math concepts in my daily work tasks. I do however use verbal skills on a regular basis. Maybe this will lead to an even better score than the one from 2000 once I refamiliarize myself with the math concepts.
April 3rd - ManhattanGMAT Preview
I was thinking about taking a live class at the local public university. The main reason for this versus one of the big boys of test prep was price. I decided I would sit through the MHGMAT preview before making any final decisions. I've heard good things about the course and especially about the test prep materials. Two hours later I was hooked. I really liked the virtual format and realized that this course was not just about helping you do your best with your current knowledge, but was more in depth on the actual math and verbal concepts. At this point I decided this is exactly what I need. My class starts Tuesday, April 10th.
April 6th - MHGMAT Materials Arrive
When I got home there was a big box at my front door. There was my next 9+ weeks sitting in a box.
Materials included:
MHGMAT Prep Books - 5 Math & 2 Verbal
OG 11th Edition
OG Verbal
OG Quant
My very own call center headgear (earphones/microphone). I joke, but these are actually great and very important for the virtual class.
April 8th - MHGMAT CAT
Prior to the first MHGMAT class, the company requests that you take a practice test. I was planning to take a practice test this weekend anyway, so this times out perfectly.
Results:
Quantitative 30 29 %
Verbal 34 72 %
Total 530 46 %
Right in line with my diagnostic. As I was taking the test I realized that just about anything with an x or y would throw me off. Also, I don't think I'm bad at DS. I think I just need to relearn the basic math concepts so I can make an educated analysis of the question and statements. My verbal mistakes were pretty evenly spread throughout the different question types.
I felt like my essays would score pretty well too. In my current position, I regularly read and disect position papers as well as craft many of my own.
Next Steps:
April 9th - Analyze Diagnostic & Practice CAT results
April 10th - 1st MHGMAT Class
April 11th - Create Personal Study Plan
My plan is to keep posting here as my prep continues. I can't promise it will be every day and I'm sure I won't study every day, but I'll do my best.
For my first attempt, I took the Kaplan classroom course. At that time all of my math was fresh and my verbal was OK. This course helped me to get the best score I could with my then current knowledge base. My first practice tests were in the low 500 range. After completing the course and studying only the materials provided, I scored a 650 on my first and only official attempt. I was extremely happy with the result. I remember my math was much better than my verbal.
Now, here I am, finally ready to apply to grad school and no GMAT score to submit. My work experience is good. I have 5 busy seasons (internship plus 3.5 years full time) of audit with a big 4 public accouting firm and 2 years in Finance/Accounting for a Fortune 100 insurance company, including working in Financial Reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley as well as setting up the accounting and control framework for a new business unit and most recently heading up an accounting policy group. My educational background looks OK from a high level. I ended up with an overall 3.3 GPA with 150+ credits allowing me to sit for the CPA exam in Florida. However, my scholastic career spanned 9+ years and included a semester at a state school (1.95 GPA - 1 incomplete and 1 Fail), 1.5 year break, a semester at a community college (3.3 GPA - 3 classes), 2 year break, Associate in Accounting (3.5 GPA), Bachelor in Accounting (overall scholastic 3.3). I'm currently looking at 3 programs. For 2 of them, I feel I will need a strong GMAT. One of the programs has an application deadline of July 15th, which gives me just over 2 months to prep for the exam to ensure that my official scores will make it to the school on time. So here I am, almost 7 years later, back at it again.
I'm going to be digging into my preperation this week. Thus far, I've done the following:
March 31st - Shopping
I found my old Kaplan books. I decided that even if I use some of the information, all of the practice questions have been marked and there are notes throughout the old questions. It was time to hit the bookstore. I picked up the Kaplan Premier Course. I liked that it came with a CD full of practice questions and CATs. What I didn't realize was that this book was so much more. I sat down and read through the first couple of pages. That's when I realized that you can sign up online and do the diagnostic, practice sessions, and practice CATs online. It also includes an online syllabus that you check off and date items as you complete them.
April 1st - Kaplan Diagnostic:
Score 71.5% DS 0/7 PS 8/11 CR 6/6 RC 6/7 SC 7/7
I found this earth shattering. My world has seemed to flip-flop. I was always strong in math. How could my math be so bad and my verbal be so good. My saving grace is that I used to be good at math. I have been out of college now for over 5 years. I do not use a lot of the math concepts in my daily work tasks. I do however use verbal skills on a regular basis. Maybe this will lead to an even better score than the one from 2000 once I refamiliarize myself with the math concepts.
April 3rd - ManhattanGMAT Preview
I was thinking about taking a live class at the local public university. The main reason for this versus one of the big boys of test prep was price. I decided I would sit through the MHGMAT preview before making any final decisions. I've heard good things about the course and especially about the test prep materials. Two hours later I was hooked. I really liked the virtual format and realized that this course was not just about helping you do your best with your current knowledge, but was more in depth on the actual math and verbal concepts. At this point I decided this is exactly what I need. My class starts Tuesday, April 10th.
April 6th - MHGMAT Materials Arrive
When I got home there was a big box at my front door. There was my next 9+ weeks sitting in a box.
Materials included:
MHGMAT Prep Books - 5 Math & 2 Verbal
OG 11th Edition
OG Verbal
OG Quant
My very own call center headgear (earphones/microphone). I joke, but these are actually great and very important for the virtual class.
April 8th - MHGMAT CAT
Prior to the first MHGMAT class, the company requests that you take a practice test. I was planning to take a practice test this weekend anyway, so this times out perfectly.
Results:
Quantitative 30 29 %
Verbal 34 72 %
Total 530 46 %
Right in line with my diagnostic. As I was taking the test I realized that just about anything with an x or y would throw me off. Also, I don't think I'm bad at DS. I think I just need to relearn the basic math concepts so I can make an educated analysis of the question and statements. My verbal mistakes were pretty evenly spread throughout the different question types.
I felt like my essays would score pretty well too. In my current position, I regularly read and disect position papers as well as craft many of my own.
Next Steps:
April 9th - Analyze Diagnostic & Practice CAT results
April 10th - 1st MHGMAT Class
April 11th - Create Personal Study Plan
My plan is to keep posting here as my prep continues. I can't promise it will be every day and I'm sure I won't study every day, but I'll do my best.
