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RockyMountainGMAT
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2008 4:03 pm
- Thanked: 1 times
- GMAT Score:720
First time post, long time reader. I took the GMAT today and scored a 720.
I will start this by saying that I am of (at best) average intelligence. My math skills have always been well below average and my verbal skills have required quite a bit of work. I taken so many practice tests.....many of which I repeated, so my scores aren't a good indication of anything. However I wanted to share a view comments that I believe are important.
1) This is a test of intelligence, but it can be overcome by hard work. I really believe that if I had the time/energy to study another several months, I could have reached the 750 mark. A good GMAT score has a price tag on it, and if you are willing to pay that price you can obtain it.
2) Don't underestimate the value of "mental stamina". It is real. Although you are just sitting there answering questions, it takes a tole on you. Work to increase your stamina and you will do quite well.
3) Don't blow practice essays off. You might think "I'm a good writer, these questions are all different....I'll be fine". Chances are you will, but that's not the point. You should simulate the brain power expended on these essays when you practice, because you will feel the toll they take on your stamina on the verbal portion of the test.
Study Materials:
1) Manhattan GMAT - The math tests are harder than the real thing. No question about it. The questions involve much more calculation than the actual test requires. Don't feel bad if you can't get to all 37 of them in the time allotted, the same thing happened to me. MGMAT is loaded with permutations and combinations questions......none of which I saw on the real thing. Nevertheless it is good practice, I would done much worse on the GMAT without MGMAT. The verbal questions are EXCELLENT practice, and the sentence correction book is a must have.
2) 800score.com - Worthless. Not only are the scoring algorithms way off, the content is totally unrelated. It's a waste of time. I wasted valuable hours on 800score tests, and I wish I hadn't. Take it from me. You'd be better off going to see a movie or hang out with friends than spending time on this company's material.
3) GMAT Prep - I think everyone agrees that this is the most realistic practice you can get. Even the format is exactly the same. The question database is huge, so there's nothing wrong with taking these same tests multiple times. You'll see different questions and it's good practice.
4) PowerPrep - An "outdated" couple of adaptive tests that often fly under the radar. These are still great practice. Some of the questions are also on the GMATPrep, but many are not. You may have to look hard in order to find where you can download these, but it's well worth it.
5) OG-11 Verbal and Math - People call these books the "Bible" for GMAT study. It's true. It will give you a great foundation, but these books alone won't get you there. There's something to be said for operating under pressure. Timing is everything. Make sure that when you practice, you are under a time constraint. It will keep you from getting into the habit of taking your time in solving problems.
That's about it. I want to thank everyone who posts on this forum for helping me get the score I wanted. I will be logging into this forum often, so if anyone has any questions of a person who took the GMAT less than 3 hours ago.....fire away!
Good luck everyone!
I will start this by saying that I am of (at best) average intelligence. My math skills have always been well below average and my verbal skills have required quite a bit of work. I taken so many practice tests.....many of which I repeated, so my scores aren't a good indication of anything. However I wanted to share a view comments that I believe are important.
1) This is a test of intelligence, but it can be overcome by hard work. I really believe that if I had the time/energy to study another several months, I could have reached the 750 mark. A good GMAT score has a price tag on it, and if you are willing to pay that price you can obtain it.
2) Don't underestimate the value of "mental stamina". It is real. Although you are just sitting there answering questions, it takes a tole on you. Work to increase your stamina and you will do quite well.
3) Don't blow practice essays off. You might think "I'm a good writer, these questions are all different....I'll be fine". Chances are you will, but that's not the point. You should simulate the brain power expended on these essays when you practice, because you will feel the toll they take on your stamina on the verbal portion of the test.
Study Materials:
1) Manhattan GMAT - The math tests are harder than the real thing. No question about it. The questions involve much more calculation than the actual test requires. Don't feel bad if you can't get to all 37 of them in the time allotted, the same thing happened to me. MGMAT is loaded with permutations and combinations questions......none of which I saw on the real thing. Nevertheless it is good practice, I would done much worse on the GMAT without MGMAT. The verbal questions are EXCELLENT practice, and the sentence correction book is a must have.
2) 800score.com - Worthless. Not only are the scoring algorithms way off, the content is totally unrelated. It's a waste of time. I wasted valuable hours on 800score tests, and I wish I hadn't. Take it from me. You'd be better off going to see a movie or hang out with friends than spending time on this company's material.
3) GMAT Prep - I think everyone agrees that this is the most realistic practice you can get. Even the format is exactly the same. The question database is huge, so there's nothing wrong with taking these same tests multiple times. You'll see different questions and it's good practice.
4) PowerPrep - An "outdated" couple of adaptive tests that often fly under the radar. These are still great practice. Some of the questions are also on the GMATPrep, but many are not. You may have to look hard in order to find where you can download these, but it's well worth it.
5) OG-11 Verbal and Math - People call these books the "Bible" for GMAT study. It's true. It will give you a great foundation, but these books alone won't get you there. There's something to be said for operating under pressure. Timing is everything. Make sure that when you practice, you are under a time constraint. It will keep you from getting into the habit of taking your time in solving problems.
That's about it. I want to thank everyone who posts on this forum for helping me get the score I wanted. I will be logging into this forum often, so if anyone has any questions of a person who took the GMAT less than 3 hours ago.....fire away!
Good luck everyone!
