-
HarvardDreamin
- Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:35 am
- Thanked: 2 times
I finally managed to slay the GMAT beast. Managed to get a 720 (Q47, V42)
I am African, mid twenties and aiming to go to HBS in future either this year or next. Got a lukewarm score in the mid six hundreds in my first attempt and decided I needed to bring the score up to par given how competitive this year is probably going to be. I have to say though I thought I was not doing very well during the test and expected to get a much higher Verbal score than in the real exaam.
For those who are yet to take the test, a few tips:
1) The exam WILL be harder than you think - however DO NOT Panic or LOSE FOCUS. Composure is critical. I thought I messed up in the quant section and got a 47. Sometimes you get EASIER questions even if you got the previous questions right.
2) The GMAT can be slain: whether it takes one, two, or a thousand attempts.
3) This website is great - you are already on your way to success if you are here.
4) The GMAT is in no way representative of how smart you are - this is SO true.
5) YOu will never finish studying all the material before the exam (maybe its just me!)
6) If you dont know the answer GUESS and move on. You can still make a lot of mistakes and GET over 700.
Studying
OG - A good starter however I dont think its very good for those who want to get over 700. most of the questions are aimed for those between 500-700 however its essential for anyone who wants to get a good score.
Manhattan SC book - You already know enough about this book to know you should get it. Just a quick reminder that if you want to do well, you NEED this book.
Kaplan GMAT book - I liked this book and it gave me tougher questions which kept me focused. The scoring on the CATs is depressing but it stopped me from getting complacent which helped.
Kaplan 800 - This book has mixed reviews but I think it is GREAT. You REALLY push yourself and after you go through it, GMATPrep and others seem much more reasonable. It also makes you much quicker in Quant.
Test Day
Woke up very early for some last minute revision. Been revising daily so didnt make much difference but helped me to relax and brought a few more techniques to my mind.
A big thank too the the forum members who answered my questions and let me know just how smart human beings really are. Collaborating and working together is the best way to acheiving success. Some are geniuses at PS and others at SC; working together makes both geniuses in both areas.
I didnt find it much different to GMATPrep although I felt I had more DS questions than usual. Again, number properties are far more important than permutations etc..
Verbal seemed reasonable however the CR's were not easy. SC and RC were GMAt Prep level. i think the reason some people think verbal is tougher is because its the last section and after 2 1/4 hours of testing already, your brain isnt in the best condition to distinguish between its and it's. FOCUS is key. Remember GMAT is a tricky exam; its not a test of your intelligence.
Tests taken
GMAT Prep1 – 700 (q44, v41)
Kaplan 1 - 550 (q31, v33)
Kaplan 2 – 550 (q32, v31)
PowerPrep1 – 690 (q45, v39)
powerPrep2 – 690 (q45, v40)
Kaplan 4 - 560 (Q31, V36)
MGMAT 5 ------590 (Q37, V34)
MGMAT 6 -- 640 (Q42, V36)
GMAT Prep1 again - 730 (V47,Q40)
GMATPREP 2- 750 (V49, Q42)
Any questions please ask. Good luck to all of you.
I am African, mid twenties and aiming to go to HBS in future either this year or next. Got a lukewarm score in the mid six hundreds in my first attempt and decided I needed to bring the score up to par given how competitive this year is probably going to be. I have to say though I thought I was not doing very well during the test and expected to get a much higher Verbal score than in the real exaam.
For those who are yet to take the test, a few tips:
1) The exam WILL be harder than you think - however DO NOT Panic or LOSE FOCUS. Composure is critical. I thought I messed up in the quant section and got a 47. Sometimes you get EASIER questions even if you got the previous questions right.
2) The GMAT can be slain: whether it takes one, two, or a thousand attempts.
3) This website is great - you are already on your way to success if you are here.
4) The GMAT is in no way representative of how smart you are - this is SO true.
5) YOu will never finish studying all the material before the exam (maybe its just me!)
6) If you dont know the answer GUESS and move on. You can still make a lot of mistakes and GET over 700.
Studying
OG - A good starter however I dont think its very good for those who want to get over 700. most of the questions are aimed for those between 500-700 however its essential for anyone who wants to get a good score.
Manhattan SC book - You already know enough about this book to know you should get it. Just a quick reminder that if you want to do well, you NEED this book.
Kaplan GMAT book - I liked this book and it gave me tougher questions which kept me focused. The scoring on the CATs is depressing but it stopped me from getting complacent which helped.
Kaplan 800 - This book has mixed reviews but I think it is GREAT. You REALLY push yourself and after you go through it, GMATPrep and others seem much more reasonable. It also makes you much quicker in Quant.
Test Day
Woke up very early for some last minute revision. Been revising daily so didnt make much difference but helped me to relax and brought a few more techniques to my mind.
A big thank too the the forum members who answered my questions and let me know just how smart human beings really are. Collaborating and working together is the best way to acheiving success. Some are geniuses at PS and others at SC; working together makes both geniuses in both areas.
I didnt find it much different to GMATPrep although I felt I had more DS questions than usual. Again, number properties are far more important than permutations etc..
Verbal seemed reasonable however the CR's were not easy. SC and RC were GMAt Prep level. i think the reason some people think verbal is tougher is because its the last section and after 2 1/4 hours of testing already, your brain isnt in the best condition to distinguish between its and it's. FOCUS is key. Remember GMAT is a tricky exam; its not a test of your intelligence.
Tests taken
GMAT Prep1 – 700 (q44, v41)
Kaplan 1 - 550 (q31, v33)
Kaplan 2 – 550 (q32, v31)
PowerPrep1 – 690 (q45, v39)
powerPrep2 – 690 (q45, v40)
Kaplan 4 - 560 (Q31, V36)
MGMAT 5 ------590 (Q37, V34)
MGMAT 6 -- 640 (Q42, V36)
GMAT Prep1 again - 730 (V47,Q40)
GMATPREP 2- 750 (V49, Q42)
Any questions please ask. Good luck to all of you.
ON MY WAY TO HBS......
