I just Beat The GMAT!

Hi Folks

I took the GMAT this Wednesday and scored 690,a bit disappointed as I think I could have easily achieved 710 -720 , Nevertheless I am thankful for what I have got.

My Profile:

Mining Engineer from a leading university in India,Graduated 2008.I am working in India for a Finish manufacturing company,I was the first person employed by this company in India and starting from a scratch we have now a team of 20 people and have projects spreading across India.I am in a sales and business development type of job so I am travelling most of the all across the country. During studies did a stint in south african mining industry.

GMAT Journey:

Became aware of the GMAT exam in June 2009, prepared for 2 months with a coaching institute I think that was a waste of time and money . Got transfered to a different city so preparation and focus was distributed.Started Studying seriously since Jan 2010.Since I am from a engineering back ground my main study focus was verbal particularly SC

Study Material:

OG 11
OG 12
OG 10
Verbal OG
1000 SC
1000 CR
Manhattan SC

FOR SC

I had a pathetic grammar sense,so I consider my state right now as a huge improvement,

I gave the GMAT IN July 2010 AND SCORED 600,I realized my main weakness was SC ,I redid 1000 SC and OG'S ,Manhattan SC.I did thousand of SC questions ,consulted forums, redid my mistakes,still I am not always 100 % on my answers so I think there is a big room for improvement.

FOR CR

The most strong section on my verbal ,To start with I did OG problem ,The 1000 CR LSAT test and I think these material are comprehensive.

FOR RC

During end of my preparation I realized that this was my most weak section,I stressed on my RC in the last 10 -15 days of my preparation.Did mostly OG material and some time LSAT 1000 RC,

My job involve lot of travelling so I could't put in as much time as ideally I would have liked.I think I can further improve my RC and SC skills.and considerably improve my score.!!!!

I tried to study 25-50 questions on weeks days and around 5-6 hour on week ends but things were not always as comfortable,sometime I had to travel whole week leaving no time to study in the evenin.

Overall I realize that verbal is more a test for careful and quick reading and I tried to develop that by reading editorial articles etc.I guess there is still a room for improvement.


AWA

More than sufficient

https://www.beatthegmat.com/argument-ess ... 38032.html

Quant

Beat the GMAT flash cards,Manhattan Test maths is way hard than actual maths ,so manhattan tests were also an good practice ground,

During last phase of my preparation I did the attached file for hard problems,it was very helpful


Practice Tests

Did GMAT Prep number of times:Last three test score 700,710,710

Manhattan GMAT: Last three test score 700,640,680

GMAT prep is the best practice tests available and my advise will be to keep on reviewing the test as new question will keep on appearing.


Advice required from experts:

I am targeting top 10-15 colleges for 2011,With a sales and business development profile and working experience till now of 2 years,
Is my score 690 is good enough to secure a seat in harvard ,stanford ,lsb etc.My working experience of a startup company has been good but do you thing I should wait one more year before I apply OR retake the test.

This forum has been a great source of inspiration and knowledge,I hope my post can be of some help

Thank you so much ,

Shashwat