I got my Masters in Accounting about 4 years ago. At the time, I had a 630 GMAT score and was pretty much guaranteed entry because I wasn't trying for a top-20 B school. I also went where I had my undergrad (accounting in my state required masters for CPA license so it was more conditional than "extra"). Anyway, I've always had a desire to go back and get my PhD, but I knew a 630, though okay, wasn't really at the level it needed to be to guarantee competitiveness. Last year, when the IR section came out, I started to and canceled the opportunity to take the test last fall because I was worried about it's level of difficulty and whether any test materials TRULY had an idea what was happening with it so I wanted to give it time until it was well known by the study courses.
Took the GMAT today, and got my 700+ bar! I realize a 710 isn't a 780, but I believe around that 700 mark, that "GMAT checkbox" so to speak gets the checkmark and one can make up any difference in GMAT score from then on with strength in interviews, GPA, recommendations, etc.
If you've read this far, I'll finish by saying I feel that my "secret" was simply that I just studied hard, focused on weaknesses after taking several practice tests, about 8 total, including GMATprep(I used the MGMAT materials and certainly would recommend them. I felt they did a fabulous job in their curriculum), and specifically kept my attention on two main points going into the test today: one for verbal and one for quant.
For verbal, I was always strong, so I had a tendency to become lax and start answering questions based on what "sounded" best, which I realized after a few tests would consistently bring my score down in practice tests when I failed to be meticulous in ruling out answers to those 700-800 level questions that trick you on that exact topic, mostly on sentence grammar rules that end up being "correct" but sound weird and aren't generally used in spoken English.
For quant, my main thought the entire time was PACING. You see, I'm OCD and want to get everything right. It took me a long time to realize that is just NOT an option on the quant section (unless you're already strong on scrappy, puzzle-laden algebra and scoff at a "square root in a denominator word problem combinatorics" data sufficiency question...not really a thing, but it sounds horrifying doesn't it?). Instead, I HAD to pace myself and, if I was running close to that 2 minute mark per question, I trained myself over about 6 practice tests to simply finish and go on with my best guess. My worst practice test ever taught me that lesson when I ended up with a HORRID quant so I quit the test frustrated before even going to take the verbal section. I looked back at my stats on it and realized, after the 5th question, I was in the 700-800 level questions, and I spent 13 MINUTES on one question!!!! I did get it right, but it was by far the dumbest mistake I made, but also the best lesson I learned during practice. Time can seem to stand still when answering difficult level math for me because I get so into wanting the right answer. I did okay for the next 20 or so questions but got about the last 13 in a row wrong trying to answer them all in less than 20-30 seconds a piece!
So, that's my story. 700+ can be done. It can be tough, it can be frustrating, but it CAN be done. Just do your best and make sure you have practiced! Especially if you're trying to bring up a lower score. Identify your "main" 2-3 weaknesses that keep your score down the most (learned by practice and practice tests) and keep them CONSTANTLY in the back of your mind during the actual test, whether they are test-taking strategies or simply that one specific idiom you just can't ever remember.
If you are one of those who simply just go and take it and get over a 700, you definitely have my respect, but for those who struggle like me with tests like this, just know it's not at all impossible to break the barrier, and I would venture to guess the vast majority who get over that level do NOT go in their without at least some level of preparation.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Took the GMAT today, and got my 700+ bar! I realize a 710 isn't a 780, but I believe around that 700 mark, that "GMAT checkbox" so to speak gets the checkmark and one can make up any difference in GMAT score from then on with strength in interviews, GPA, recommendations, etc.
If you've read this far, I'll finish by saying I feel that my "secret" was simply that I just studied hard, focused on weaknesses after taking several practice tests, about 8 total, including GMATprep(I used the MGMAT materials and certainly would recommend them. I felt they did a fabulous job in their curriculum), and specifically kept my attention on two main points going into the test today: one for verbal and one for quant.
For verbal, I was always strong, so I had a tendency to become lax and start answering questions based on what "sounded" best, which I realized after a few tests would consistently bring my score down in practice tests when I failed to be meticulous in ruling out answers to those 700-800 level questions that trick you on that exact topic, mostly on sentence grammar rules that end up being "correct" but sound weird and aren't generally used in spoken English.
For quant, my main thought the entire time was PACING. You see, I'm OCD and want to get everything right. It took me a long time to realize that is just NOT an option on the quant section (unless you're already strong on scrappy, puzzle-laden algebra and scoff at a "square root in a denominator word problem combinatorics" data sufficiency question...not really a thing, but it sounds horrifying doesn't it?). Instead, I HAD to pace myself and, if I was running close to that 2 minute mark per question, I trained myself over about 6 practice tests to simply finish and go on with my best guess. My worst practice test ever taught me that lesson when I ended up with a HORRID quant so I quit the test frustrated before even going to take the verbal section. I looked back at my stats on it and realized, after the 5th question, I was in the 700-800 level questions, and I spent 13 MINUTES on one question!!!! I did get it right, but it was by far the dumbest mistake I made, but also the best lesson I learned during practice. Time can seem to stand still when answering difficult level math for me because I get so into wanting the right answer. I did okay for the next 20 or so questions but got about the last 13 in a row wrong trying to answer them all in less than 20-30 seconds a piece!
So, that's my story. 700+ can be done. It can be tough, it can be frustrating, but it CAN be done. Just do your best and make sure you have practiced! Especially if you're trying to bring up a lower score. Identify your "main" 2-3 weaknesses that keep your score down the most (learned by practice and practice tests) and keep them CONSTANTLY in the back of your mind during the actual test, whether they are test-taking strategies or simply that one specific idiom you just can't ever remember.
If you are one of those who simply just go and take it and get over a 700, you definitely have my respect, but for those who struggle like me with tests like this, just know it's not at all impossible to break the barrier, and I would venture to guess the vast majority who get over that level do NOT go in their without at least some level of preparation.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
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