I am a regular reader of this forum and I started my preparation after reading some posts in the strategy forum and tried to apply those applied strategies to my preparation.
I took GMAT today morning and scored 750.
Thanks a lot to all those who posted their experiences and strategies.
Details of my score :
Q 49 (89%)
V 44 (97%)
Total 750 (98%)
Practice Test scores:
GMATPrep1 - 580[Q39,V31]
Kaplan paper test - 680[Q48,V42]
Kaplan CD1 - 550[Q38,V26]
MGMAT1 - 610[Q37,V36]
MGMAT2 - 640[Q43,V35]
MGMAT3 - 670[Q43,V38]
MGMAT4 - 690[Q45,V38]
GMATPrep2 - 700[Q49,V37]
Background : Engg (1997 graduate), Indian female, working in software industry for 10+ yrs
About preparation:
- Used OG 10, Manhattan SC and Manhattan word translations, Kaplan Math, Ace the GMAT. Each book helped in improving some skills.
- Took around 3.5 months of study with 30mins - 1 hr per day for most of the days. Had to take a break for a month because of some personal reasons. It was really tough preparing daily and at the same time taking care of two naughty kids and a husband
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/smile.png)
Highlights :
Essays
- I could write my Argument essay very well. Found around 5 issues with the argument and could elaborate on each. Took exactly 30 mins to write and proof-read
- Not so lucky on the Issue essay. Could find only one relevant point. Elaborated on that and ran out of time just before I clicked the confirm button after proof-reading. (I hope the essay is saved and that they will rate it. I had clicked on Next button. But could not click the Confirm button)
Quant
- Quant Questions were similar to the ones in OG 10 and a bit easier than MGMAT & Kaplan questions. Anyway I think preparing for the tough questions helped in cracking the easy ones faster.
- Quant questions were quite simple till the 26th one and that got me really worried. Then it started asking difficult questions from combinations, probability,compound interest etc
- Had to spend around 5 minutes on 2-3 Quant questions, but finally got them right (I think).
- Ran out of time and had to guess from 32nd question
Verbal
- Verbal SC were not so easy. (But then, this is my weakest area). Questions were similar to the Q's in Manhattan SC
- RC was quite simple. All the 4 RC passages were simple and very clear compared to MGMAT and Kaplan. I think I got all the questions right and that made the difference in my Verbal score when compared with my practice tests.
- CR were similar to the OG 10 questions.
General
- I took 2-3 mouthfuls of red bull and gatorade during the breaks and that really helped. Thanks a lot to the people who posted that idea in this forum. I used to feel totally drained out during the mock tests.
- Also, I think I was quite lucky to get easy questions.
In short, books such as OG 10, Manhattan SC,WT, Kaplan Math, Ace the GMAT all helped a lot. The strategies posted in this forum were of great help.
Thanks a lot to Eric and also all who posted here.
Regards,
Geetha