-
wolvesonashield
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2014 2:05 pm
Hi everyone,
I've been reading success stories on BTG for quite some time. These stories were some of the reasons why I kept pushing myself so I wanted to write one in hopes of inspiring someone else who is thinking of giving up. My story is full of ups and downs (mostly downs) but it also shows how a stringent schedule, time, hardwork, and the right resources will help you achieve an ideal score.
A 690 is not an extraordinary score, but it is in the 87th percentile and puts me in the range of all the top schools. I think that there is also something to be said about where I started and where I finished - a 130 point increase is significant - I attribute most of this success to Rich and Max at EmpowerGMAT.
Here is my original score breakdown:
Total: 560
Verbal: 37
Quant: 30
IR: 6
Obviously, my quant score was my weakness. This original score was after taking a Manhattan GMAT course, going through all their books, including the foundations of GMAT Math, and watching all the Magoosh videos. Here's what I'll say about the resources I originally used:
Manhattan GMAT course: I know of people that have had success using just the course. My guess is that most of these people were already really good at quant and/or verbal and just needed a push to start studying. For me, the class was not worth it. I think it has more to do with the pace than with anything else. If you need customization at your own pace then I don't think this class is good for you. But if you are already strong at the skills needed for the GMAT and you just need a schedule to keep you on track then this might be worth it (Although I'm not sure if the cost is worth it).
Manhattan GMAT Books: The MGMAT books were excellent. They absolutely helped me sharpen my math skills and my verbal skills, particularly for sentence correction.
Magoosh: The quant videos for magoosh are an excellent supplement to the MGMAT books. You are able to see what you've read and so it helps solidify your understanding.
PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible: This book took my CR skills to a new understanding. I highly recommend this for anyone that is struggling with CR.
After using these resources, I took several Manhattan GMAT practice tests but could not crack 620. I figured that I just didn't have what it takes. However, I kept reading BTG success stories and lots of people would say, "if others could do it, I can too". I thought the same thing - I know I can do this, I just need to find a better angle.
This is when one of my friends who was also struggling with the GMAT told me about EmpowerGMAT. She raved about it and I had read about it in other BTG posts so I figured I'd give it a shot since nothing else had worked. IT WORKED! The way Rich breaks down the quant section really helped me see it in a new way. They teach you how to ATTACK a question. Most of the math work is 'baby math' (lol) - you just have to put your work on the pad and make sure to stay calm and collected. Rich also teaches several ways to strategically eliminate answer choices that will save you precious time. Also - you have to DUMP several questions. This was also a key determinant in my success. Once I started dumping questions, my score jumped higher!
Rich and Max also breakdown EVERY SINGLE QUESTION in the OG on video and show you how to attack those problems. This was such an essential tool for me because a lot of the answers in the back of the OG are essentially gibberish. Quant was my weakness so this is where I spent most of my time. I did, however, peruse the verbal section - Max's approach to Reading Comprehension helped me retain information and stay organized.
Here is my final breakdown
Total: 690
Verbal: 41
Quant: 44
IR: 6
I went from a Q30 to a Q44! I attribute this massive jump to EmpowerGMAT's method. Thank you so much Rich and Max, you guys played such an instrumental role in my success.
One final thing I want to mention is the schedule I kept. I created a consistent study schedule. I studied for 3.5 months using Empower. I would wake up early and study for 1-1.5 hrs. I'd read on my train commute to work. I would then get home from work and study for 2-2.5 hrs. On the weekends I would study for 4-6 hours. I did take some days off here and there but for the most part my schedule was consistent. I think this was critical to my success. In total, I studied for 200+ hrs over the course of 3.5 months, sacrificing my social life along the way. I think a lot of people have a hard time with this part but it is critical if you are hoping for a top score.
One funny thing about studying with empower is that for the rest of my life I will think of the GMAT when I chew cinnamon gum. Totally worth it!
[/u]
I've been reading success stories on BTG for quite some time. These stories were some of the reasons why I kept pushing myself so I wanted to write one in hopes of inspiring someone else who is thinking of giving up. My story is full of ups and downs (mostly downs) but it also shows how a stringent schedule, time, hardwork, and the right resources will help you achieve an ideal score.
A 690 is not an extraordinary score, but it is in the 87th percentile and puts me in the range of all the top schools. I think that there is also something to be said about where I started and where I finished - a 130 point increase is significant - I attribute most of this success to Rich and Max at EmpowerGMAT.
Here is my original score breakdown:
Total: 560
Verbal: 37
Quant: 30
IR: 6
Obviously, my quant score was my weakness. This original score was after taking a Manhattan GMAT course, going through all their books, including the foundations of GMAT Math, and watching all the Magoosh videos. Here's what I'll say about the resources I originally used:
Manhattan GMAT course: I know of people that have had success using just the course. My guess is that most of these people were already really good at quant and/or verbal and just needed a push to start studying. For me, the class was not worth it. I think it has more to do with the pace than with anything else. If you need customization at your own pace then I don't think this class is good for you. But if you are already strong at the skills needed for the GMAT and you just need a schedule to keep you on track then this might be worth it (Although I'm not sure if the cost is worth it).
Manhattan GMAT Books: The MGMAT books were excellent. They absolutely helped me sharpen my math skills and my verbal skills, particularly for sentence correction.
Magoosh: The quant videos for magoosh are an excellent supplement to the MGMAT books. You are able to see what you've read and so it helps solidify your understanding.
PowerScore Critical Reasoning Bible: This book took my CR skills to a new understanding. I highly recommend this for anyone that is struggling with CR.
After using these resources, I took several Manhattan GMAT practice tests but could not crack 620. I figured that I just didn't have what it takes. However, I kept reading BTG success stories and lots of people would say, "if others could do it, I can too". I thought the same thing - I know I can do this, I just need to find a better angle.
This is when one of my friends who was also struggling with the GMAT told me about EmpowerGMAT. She raved about it and I had read about it in other BTG posts so I figured I'd give it a shot since nothing else had worked. IT WORKED! The way Rich breaks down the quant section really helped me see it in a new way. They teach you how to ATTACK a question. Most of the math work is 'baby math' (lol) - you just have to put your work on the pad and make sure to stay calm and collected. Rich also teaches several ways to strategically eliminate answer choices that will save you precious time. Also - you have to DUMP several questions. This was also a key determinant in my success. Once I started dumping questions, my score jumped higher!
Rich and Max also breakdown EVERY SINGLE QUESTION in the OG on video and show you how to attack those problems. This was such an essential tool for me because a lot of the answers in the back of the OG are essentially gibberish. Quant was my weakness so this is where I spent most of my time. I did, however, peruse the verbal section - Max's approach to Reading Comprehension helped me retain information and stay organized.
Here is my final breakdown
Total: 690
Verbal: 41
Quant: 44
IR: 6
I went from a Q30 to a Q44! I attribute this massive jump to EmpowerGMAT's method. Thank you so much Rich and Max, you guys played such an instrumental role in my success.
One final thing I want to mention is the schedule I kept. I created a consistent study schedule. I studied for 3.5 months using Empower. I would wake up early and study for 1-1.5 hrs. I'd read on my train commute to work. I would then get home from work and study for 2-2.5 hrs. On the weekends I would study for 4-6 hours. I did take some days off here and there but for the most part my schedule was consistent. I think this was critical to my success. In total, I studied for 200+ hrs over the course of 3.5 months, sacrificing my social life along the way. I think a lot of people have a hard time with this part but it is critical if you are hoping for a top score.
One funny thing about studying with empower is that for the rest of my life I will think of the GMAT when I chew cinnamon gum. Totally worth it!
[/u]
