This time I did it! I scored a 720, 96th percentile overall (90th percentile quant/85th percentile verbal/96th percentile overall) yesterday. Same as the Beat The GMAt site admin. Anyway, I was expecting to do much better on the verbal and not as well on the quant, but I will take it!
The first time I took the test, March 3rd, I scored a 650, 83rd percentile overall (73rd percentile quant/ 76th percentile verbal). I was disappointed and upset.
I took four practice tests the month before my first test and scored as follows:
1) 740 (MGMAT)
2) 700 (MGMAT)
3) 680 (GMATPrep)
4) 710 (GMATPrep)
The four practice tests I took before my second test, I scored as follows:
1) 680 (MGMAT)
2) 720 (MGMAT)
3) 690 (GMATPrep)
4) 740 (GMATPrep)
Most the practice tests I scored very well on the verbal, especially on MGMAT. However, on both the actual GMATs I did not score as well.
The first time I took the test I felt pretty good, like a had a good chance of breaking 700 (but didn't). The second time I was less confident, but did break 700! I certainly did not think I was doing that well on the math. I can't complain but I was hoping to break 90th percentile on my verbal, mostly because I was scoring so high on the practice tests. I think the MGMAT math is more difficult than the actual test but the MGMAT verbal is easier.
My study strategy was as follows:
Oct-Dec 2006: MGMAT Course
January - Feb 2007:
EVERY Math problem in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong, and was unsure of TWICE.
SOME of the verbal problems in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations.
I logged all my answers and times. I purchased a stop watch, this really helped me get my timing down. At first I was having trouble getting through quant section, but I learned how to move on from a problem. I was getting too attached and felt like I HAD to answer it, truth is, if you can't get it 2 minutes, you probably won't get in 3 or 4.
Feb: Four practice Exams, once a week
March 3rd: GMAT #1 (650)
SECOND STUDY ROUND
I realized I needed to practice the verbal more. I thought I had the verbal down, so I did not study that much at first.
March 2007:
The more difficult problems in OG Quantitative
The more difficult problems in OG Verbal (CR and RC)
Medium and difficult problems in OG Verbal (SC)
Again including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong and was unsure of TWICE. I logged my answers and times.
Four practice tests, once a week.
April 3rd: GMAT #2 720.
Hope this helps! I also hopes this encourages everyone to take the exam a second time if they do not do well the first time.
-Rachel
The first time I took the test, March 3rd, I scored a 650, 83rd percentile overall (73rd percentile quant/ 76th percentile verbal). I was disappointed and upset.
I took four practice tests the month before my first test and scored as follows:
1) 740 (MGMAT)
2) 700 (MGMAT)
3) 680 (GMATPrep)
4) 710 (GMATPrep)
The four practice tests I took before my second test, I scored as follows:
1) 680 (MGMAT)
2) 720 (MGMAT)
3) 690 (GMATPrep)
4) 740 (GMATPrep)
Most the practice tests I scored very well on the verbal, especially on MGMAT. However, on both the actual GMATs I did not score as well.
The first time I took the test I felt pretty good, like a had a good chance of breaking 700 (but didn't). The second time I was less confident, but did break 700! I certainly did not think I was doing that well on the math. I can't complain but I was hoping to break 90th percentile on my verbal, mostly because I was scoring so high on the practice tests. I think the MGMAT math is more difficult than the actual test but the MGMAT verbal is easier.
My study strategy was as follows:
Oct-Dec 2006: MGMAT Course
January - Feb 2007:
EVERY Math problem in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong, and was unsure of TWICE.
SOME of the verbal problems in OG 11th, including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations.
I logged all my answers and times. I purchased a stop watch, this really helped me get my timing down. At first I was having trouble getting through quant section, but I learned how to move on from a problem. I was getting too attached and felt like I HAD to answer it, truth is, if you can't get it 2 minutes, you probably won't get in 3 or 4.
Feb: Four practice Exams, once a week
March 3rd: GMAT #1 (650)
SECOND STUDY ROUND
I realized I needed to practice the verbal more. I thought I had the verbal down, so I did not study that much at first.
March 2007:
The more difficult problems in OG Quantitative
The more difficult problems in OG Verbal (CR and RC)
Medium and difficult problems in OG Verbal (SC)
Again including a thorough analysis of the answer explanations. I did the problems I got wrong and was unsure of TWICE. I logged my answers and times.
Four practice tests, once a week.
April 3rd: GMAT #2 720.
Hope this helps! I also hopes this encourages everyone to take the exam a second time if they do not do well the first time.
-Rachel
-Rachel
