Took the GMAT a week ago and thought I'd provide a quick overview now that I've had time to reflect.
Started studying about a month and a half in advance, but didn't really ratchet it up until three weeks out. Spend the first 4 weeks going through Kaplan & Princeton Review questions - mostly the hardest bins. I spent the final 2 weeks hammering away at OG11 - somewhere around 75 problems per day.
Practice test scores went something like this; you'll notice I downloaded an old version of PowerPREP which I recommend...
Princeton: 580 (hadn't even opened a book)
Princeton: 610
GMATPrep1 (3 weeks out): 690
Kaplan (2 weeks out): 630 - I was very happy with after reading other's results
Princeton (1 week out): 600 - this one crushed my confidence
PowerPREP1 (3 days before): 710
PowerPREP2 (2 days before): 740
GMATPrep2 (day prior): 690
GMAT: 690
I was a little disappointed with my actual score (that 740 really got my hopes up) as it was the same as it was 3 weeks out. However, I said after that very first practice test (P580) I'd be really happy with a 680 so I've been reminding myself that.
Because I'm targeting top schools (NW, UC, UCLA, Berkley) I've considered retaking, but realistically think the best I'd do is maybe 710; after thinking long and hard I'm not sure if it is worth it. Because I have good work experience, I think it is better to focus that energy on the application process, essays.
Please feel free to chime in with your opinion...
Best of luck to all of you!
Started studying about a month and a half in advance, but didn't really ratchet it up until three weeks out. Spend the first 4 weeks going through Kaplan & Princeton Review questions - mostly the hardest bins. I spent the final 2 weeks hammering away at OG11 - somewhere around 75 problems per day.
Practice test scores went something like this; you'll notice I downloaded an old version of PowerPREP which I recommend...
Princeton: 580 (hadn't even opened a book)
Princeton: 610
GMATPrep1 (3 weeks out): 690
Kaplan (2 weeks out): 630 - I was very happy with after reading other's results
Princeton (1 week out): 600 - this one crushed my confidence
PowerPREP1 (3 days before): 710
PowerPREP2 (2 days before): 740
GMATPrep2 (day prior): 690
GMAT: 690
I was a little disappointed with my actual score (that 740 really got my hopes up) as it was the same as it was 3 weeks out. However, I said after that very first practice test (P580) I'd be really happy with a 680 so I've been reminding myself that.
Because I'm targeting top schools (NW, UC, UCLA, Berkley) I've considered retaking, but realistically think the best I'd do is maybe 710; after thinking long and hard I'm not sure if it is worth it. Because I have good work experience, I think it is better to focus that energy on the application process, essays.
Please feel free to chime in with your opinion...
Best of luck to all of you!
