First try.. Supposed to reach 550-600, surprisingly got 690!

[AnotherRussian]

Hi,

My experience turned out to be quite positive. I was preparing for the test from March, had some prep-courses, then practiced myself, mostly with OG questions (not very intensive i should say). Almost didn't practice AWA at all, tried software test with timing just once. Rescheduled my test once. Came for the test and was sure to be beaten - decided just to try the test to evaluate my level. But the essay's topics were surprisingly clear and i wrote something (my largest problem is the lack of speaking and writing practice - i don't use english at all for work or life, just read some articles or the web). So, the AWA gave me some positive mood..

Then came the tests - I was sure I was making a lot of mistakes! On verbal section there was one reading that I think I totally misunderstood. Last two or 3 questions were 100% guessing on the last 50 seconds! So I hardly believed to see 690 scores as a result! (48Q/36V/4.5AWA) It's not enough for me, but now I feel I'll definately handle with this test!!

Hope, the second try will bring me some strong 7** score! Best luck to everybody! (though your terrible results make test easier )))))

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Wow, that's great news - congratulations!
Had you taken any official (GMATPrep) tests beforehand? If so, what were the scores?

Cheers,
Brent

[pemdas]

are you residing in Russia or abroad, perhaps you went to English language school... I have made such assumption, as your written style sounds a bit savvy for not experienced (practicing) English writing. Here's one example: "Then came the tests - I was sure I was making a lot of mistakes!" stylistically you're correct and moved away the clause connector (that) between 'I was sure' and 'I was making a lot if mistakes'.

Hi,

My experience turned out to be quite positive. I was preparing for the test from March, had some prep-courses, then practiced myself, mostly with OG questions (not very intensive i should say). Almost didn't practice AWA at all, tried software test with timing just once. Rescheduled my test once. Came for the test and was sure to be beaten - decided just to try the test to evaluate my level. But the essay's topics were surprisingly clear and i wrote something (my largest problem is the lack of speaking and writing practice - i don't use english at all for work or life, just read some articles or the web). So, the AWA gave me some positive mood..

Then came the tests - I was sure I was making a lot of mistakes! On verbal section there was one reading that I think I totally misunderstood. Last two or 3 questions were 100% guessing on the last 50 seconds! So I hardly believed to see 690 scores as a result! (48Q/36V/4.5AWA) It's not enough for me, but now I feel I'll definately handle with this test!!

Hope, the second try will bring me some strong 7** score! Best luck to everybody! (though your terrible results make test easier )))))

[AnotherRussian]

Wow, that's great news - congratulations!
Had you taken any official (GMATPrep) tests beforehand? If so, what were the scores?

Thank you! Actually, I tried GMAT prep just once and only with Quant section - then I just clicked through verbal to see score on math. Scores were quite bad, mostly because I was not ready for such strict timing and missed last 5 or 6 questions. But it was just a day before test, so I just thought I have no chances at all.

Now I definately continue to work with timing - it's really important to feel the time and to see the moment when you should stop solving and pass through to the next question.

are you residing in Russia or abroad, perhaps you went to English language school... I have made such assumption, as your written style sounds a bit savvy for not experienced (practicing) English writing.

Thanks! I live in Russia permanently. The good thing is that I work in the Internet business - so I'm used to reading some English sites, working with English documentation and so on. On the other hand, I've almost never had the real necessity to write or speak English. Only while travelling, but it used to be some spanglish or balinese english or french english or arabish english or smth like that... ))) Actually, quite weak help for GMAT SC and AWA skills... ))))))

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Thank you! Actually, I tried GMAT prep just once and only with Quant section - then I just clicked through verbal to see score on math. Scores were quite bad, mostly because I was not ready for such strict timing and missed last 5 or 6 questions. But it was just a day before test, so I just thought I have no chances at all.

Well, you must be one of those people who flourishes in testing situations

Well done.

Cheers,
Brent