This is one of my first posts (and possibly my last). I just got a 740 on the GMAT and left the test center stunned.
A little background on me: I'm about to become a senior at UIUC and made a rash decision to try to get into a MS-Accounting program. So I'd fallen behind on classes and took a bunch of summer classes and so I didn't have that much time to prep for the GMAT. At the same time, I'm a full time student so I'm still very accustomed to the learning process. If I had to put a number on how much I studied I would wager around 100-120 hours.
My practice tests:
GMAT Prep: 640
MGMAT1: 620
MGMAT2: 670
MGMAT3: 680
GMAT Prep 2: 650
Looking at these scores, you're probably wondering how the hell I pulled off a 740. If you find out, let me know. My goal was obviously to break the 700 barrier, but I was so busy with other things that I just didn't have enough time to devote. Two weeks out, I had to start picking and choosing what to study. My verbal was strong, so I ignored that completely and spent any time studying on quant. I was scoring in the 50-70 percentiles for nearly all my practice tests. I went over the first half of the PS and DS problems and also did the last ~30 for each section too. I also spent a lot of time going over the questions I missed during my practice test. I didn't touch the IR section or AWA until the night before.
I obtained copies of MGMAT books, but didn't really use any of them except the number properties book. The reading was, in my opinion, dry, but helpful. I also exploited the forums on this site whenever I needed a concept/question explained. This site is really a great resource!
The test:
I thought some of the IR questions were vague (that's what I get for going in blind, though). When I'd finished quant, my confidence was obliterated. I guessed on the first question, and about 15 questions in I got a VERY easy algebra problem. During my break I did pushups in the bathroom (luckily no one walked in...awkward...) to get the blood flowing for verbal. I had to make up for my quant performance. Verbal was much easier and a lot more straightforward (I'm a native speaker). both the 48Q and 44V were the highest I'd scored on the respective sections.
That's all I can think to add. There wasn't a whole lot to my study process. Spend some time reviewing the questions you missed on the practice tests you take. I'll answer any questions if you have them.
A little background on me: I'm about to become a senior at UIUC and made a rash decision to try to get into a MS-Accounting program. So I'd fallen behind on classes and took a bunch of summer classes and so I didn't have that much time to prep for the GMAT. At the same time, I'm a full time student so I'm still very accustomed to the learning process. If I had to put a number on how much I studied I would wager around 100-120 hours.
My practice tests:
GMAT Prep: 640
MGMAT1: 620
MGMAT2: 670
MGMAT3: 680
GMAT Prep 2: 650
Looking at these scores, you're probably wondering how the hell I pulled off a 740. If you find out, let me know. My goal was obviously to break the 700 barrier, but I was so busy with other things that I just didn't have enough time to devote. Two weeks out, I had to start picking and choosing what to study. My verbal was strong, so I ignored that completely and spent any time studying on quant. I was scoring in the 50-70 percentiles for nearly all my practice tests. I went over the first half of the PS and DS problems and also did the last ~30 for each section too. I also spent a lot of time going over the questions I missed during my practice test. I didn't touch the IR section or AWA until the night before.
I obtained copies of MGMAT books, but didn't really use any of them except the number properties book. The reading was, in my opinion, dry, but helpful. I also exploited the forums on this site whenever I needed a concept/question explained. This site is really a great resource!
The test:
I thought some of the IR questions were vague (that's what I get for going in blind, though). When I'd finished quant, my confidence was obliterated. I guessed on the first question, and about 15 questions in I got a VERY easy algebra problem. During my break I did pushups in the bathroom (luckily no one walked in...awkward...) to get the blood flowing for verbal. I had to make up for my quant performance. Verbal was much easier and a lot more straightforward (I'm a native speaker). both the 48Q and 44V were the highest I'd scored on the respective sections.
That's all I can think to add. There wasn't a whole lot to my study process. Spend some time reviewing the questions you missed on the practice tests you take. I'll answer any questions if you have them.
