My first post here (I thought I would never post anything on any forum since I start my career).
I just finished GMAT this Monday 4 August 2014, and got 710 with total 2 weeks studying. I was worried, and was lucky indeed. But I think it's helpful to share my story here, for anyone who has to work more than 10-12 hours/day and is exhausted after work.For me, it was complicated looking at structure of the exam, understanding the scoring system,... Learning GMAT requires an extreme focus which my brain couldn't afford (I was exhausted by working). Every single time I took on a GMAT book, I felt asleep within 5 minutes even it was 8pm, no joking!
And here is my story:
I registered the first time in March 2014 for the exam in May 2014.
I started reviewing by the end of April, for about 1 week, then I gave up.
But this 1 week helped, I did about 40 questions in each sections in Official Guide from GMAT, read through the Sentence Correction book (Manhattan), and practiced the trial period of 7 days in the GMAT by Economist. I strongly recommend the GMAT by Economist, it was effective and interactive, and helped me not to fall asleep.
On the 2nd day, I did the first test in the software downloaded from GMAT website, I got 570.
On the 5th day, I did the test by Economist (at that time, there was a competition by Economist with prize of a scholarship for people with highest score). I got 620.
So I decided that my ability is around 620. People told me from 620 to 700 is a long way. Then, the exam coming, I quickly decided to delay it until August, when I thought I would have time to study.
Time flied and my exam was coming again. I needed 1 day off from work (Friday), then 2 days of the weekends. I told myself that I had to do it. (This kind of talking to yourself really helps). I focused, finished of about 5/6 of all questions in Kaplan book, had another email to register for trial period for Economist GMAT (this time I realized that Economist only give 20% of their tutorial free, I used all that free tutorial in 1.5 days). It boosted my skills on Math with some tips: Ballparking, plug in,..., in Critical Reasoning, in Reading, and in Sentence Correction with "Work order", and some other really helpful tips. On Saturday morning, I did a test of GMAT economist, I got 650. This pointed out that my weakest was Sentence Correction. I went out in the afternoon to relax, and study Sentence Correction in Manhattan in the evening. I woke up early on Sunday and did another test (on the software I downloaded before), got 680. This is the only test that I practiced the AWA and integrate reasoning. Then I stopped, relaxed. I went to the exam on the next day, felt free as I thought I might have to take it again.
Finally, I got 6 in IR (67 percentile), 50 (88 percentile) in Quantitative, 37 (83 percentile) on verbal, overall 710 (98 percentile).
My key messages are:
1. Take a break between some periods of studying.
2. Try the GMAT by Economist, just the free trial is enough.
3. You don't need to keep doing questions, tests, you just needed to do a few,but carefully noted down every mistake you made, remember all mistakes, then your scores keep going up - really quickly.
4. The skills in GMAT are the skills you earned if you really work hard. So some years of experience help. I also read some articles in Economist every week. I strongly recommend regular reading (must be well written journals about various topics).
My background:
I'm a Vietnamese, graduated from an international university in Vietnam, I'm good at math, bad at verbal (I tried IELTS 3 times but only got 6.5-7 for writing).
I've been working for 4 years, my job requires proper written English, and some analyzing skills.
My aim is to apply for MBA in 2016, must need a scholarship as I don't have money to go abroad.
Though I got 710, my writing part may not be good, I only have 1 short sentence in the conclusion, no time for checking
I also got 6 for integrate reasoning, I don't know if good schools accept that, I don't know if a good essay save me!
Thank you for reading, I'm quite happy but still worry. I'm willing to discuss if you have any questions
