From 620 to 680 to 740..!!!

[neerz]

Hi All,

I gave GMAT today and finally got the score I wanted 740 (Q50 V39). Was really happy to see it as I wasn't expecting such a score. I rushed through my last 15 questions in verbal in 16 min. Also, I think I could not submit the answer of the final verbal question. On last 7-8 questions, I feel that either I guessed some of these questions right OR a majority of those questions were experimental so didn't count towards final score OR I really did well in my first 27 questions. Considering all this, overall, pretty pleased with my score

Few more details:
i) First attempt (2010): 620 (Q49 V26)
ii) Second attempt (Sept 3rd week, 2012): 680 (Q50 V29)
iii) Third attempt (Dec 1st week, 2012): 740 (Q50 V39)

Material:
Manhattan SC + OG 13 + GMAT prep question pack 1 + Self study (no coaching).

Profile:
BE (2004): From arguably best NIT of the country
Working in an Indian IT MNC for past 8 + years (No company change in entire career)
Spent 4 yrs at onsite includes strong experience of working in all BRIC economies except Russia.
Received multiple awards at office.

Courses: Wish to go for <=15 months MBA ( INSEAD, LBS, ISB). Will opt for a 2 yr MBA only if I get through any of the best ones such as Wharton, Harvard, etc which I think is a far fetched dream.

Plan: Want to move to business/strategy consulting.

Any suggestions on the courses I should opt for at this stage of my career...??!!

Thanks!!

[Jim@StratusPrep]

Awesome! Congrats on the great improvement

[Bond777]

Hey Neerz,

First, congratulations on a great score! V39 despite doing 15 questions in last 16 mins is quite awesome.

Can you layout what exactly changed (Strategy, prep material, timing or whatever)from your 680 to 740? What you used to do vs what you did in that last one?

Thanks,
B

[Liarish]

Neerz,
Firstly congrats!! Great score and a good profile, who knows you might actually make it to Harvard!
I need to ask you, I am contemplating buying the Question pack 1, what is your insight? how helpful was it?
Thanks!

[tomatoeggs]

Hey Neerz,

First, congratulations on a great score! V39 despite doing 15 questions in last 16 mins is quite awesome.

Can you layout what exactly changed (Strategy, prep material, timing or whatever)from your 680 to 740? What you used to do vs what you did in that last one?

Thanks,
B

Right, could you describe how your strategy changed from the 2nd time to the 3rd time preparation?

[itsthakur]

Congrats Neerz - Great improvement in Verbal. Please can you tell us the change in your strategy/plan in your final attempt?

Cheers

[sachinsonu]

Hi Congrats!! for the awesome score, could you please share your strategy on CR, also what was your strategy after your first attempt to reach 740. I did very poorly this year and wanted to improve drastically. Any suggestion, tips will be of help.



regds
sachin

[neerz]

Hey Neerz,

First, congratulations on a great score! V39 despite doing 15 questions in last 16 mins is quite awesome.

Can you layout what exactly changed (Strategy, prep material, timing or whatever)from your 680 to 740? What you used to do vs what you did in that last one?

Thanks,
B

Thanks man!! Yup..even I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my verbal score. As to what exactly changed, I would say that GMAT Question Pack 1 by GMAC really helped. That was d only extra material I referred to in my last attempt. It helped me to get used to GMAT like questions. Quant was always fine but verbal is where I always used to falter. So paid special attention to it.

On a different note, its very important to analyze oneself and find out problems that are pulling you down. Be honest about your weaknesses and then work on them. For eg I found that I was not doing bad when I am attempting questions without putting pressure on myself in terms of time and accuracy. By doing so, I was fairly accurate and not exceeding time by much. This helped me. Your out and out weaknesses at this stage of life may never become your strength but you can at least ensure that you perform to your potential by minimizing the issues at hand.

Secondly, for CR and RC, always try to understand the meaning of what the author is trying to say. Don't bother too much about specifics when you read passage for the first time. Your mind will most likely remember key things if you manage to go through the passage without stopping in between. If you understand what they are trying to say then you will inevitably be able to respond. I generally read newspapers (online/physical) a lot and I never used to read passages twice but the thought that I am reading an RC used to make me conscious and that fact used to result in mistakes.

Overall, there is no fixed formula to success. I would say again..analyze yourself, find what is pulling you down and then find solutions to it.

Hope it helps..!!

[neerz]

Congrats Neerz - Great improvement in Verbal. Please can you tell us the change in your strategy/plan in your final attempt?

Cheers

Hey,
See my response to Bond777. It covers your question as well. Besides, Manhattan is best for SC. Didnt try CR bible but loads of ppl go for it so should be a gud one.

CR/RC and even SC on quite a few occasions: Pls understand the meaning of sentences, para or passage as the case may be. For RC, look for the final conclusion sentence in mind while evaluating choices.

Gud luck..!!

[neerz]

Neerz,
Firstly congrats!! Great score and a good profile, who knows you might actually make it to Harvard!
I need to ask you, I am contemplating buying the Question pack 1, what is your insight? how helpful was it?
Thanks!

Very helpful..Just 25 USD I think..Go for it..!!!

[kevinH]

Way to go, lots of work but worth it!