Hi Guys,
Im quite a frequent visitor on this board , though not a contributor
.My GMAT journey started last month when I registered for the GMAT exam on the urging of a friend and then proceeded to chalk out a study plan .
I plan to apply this year and so wanted to finish off the GMAT process as soon as possible.Here's how i went about it.
Materials Used
1) OG 12
Very, very useful in getting the entry-level concepts right
2) Manhattan SC
Solid book , especially for people not strong in verbal
3) Beat the GMAT forum
This place is an absolute godsend , due to the tons of materials available here and questions discussed here.The approaches described here really helped me in my preparation. I would urge any serious test taker to make full use of this forum
Study Schedule
As I had quite a tight time frame , I wanted to get the basics under my belt right away.
First week - Brushed up on Quant concepts , mostly Arithmetic,Algebra and Geometry. Didnt concentrate much on Probability and COmbinations.
Took the first GMATPrep test. Got a 690 . (A word about the GMATPrep - It is all that is described in this forum. It is the best predictor of your actual score on the exam, provided you take it under actual test conditions duplicated to the last detail possible).
I took the test under actual conditions , writing both the essays first off, taking an 8-min break ( duration of breaks is reduced now) , then attempting Quant , then again the 8-min break and so on.
The idea was to get accustomed to the actual test conditions as much as possible. I also took all my tests at the same time I had scheduled my exam.(9:00 in the morning.)
As I was strong in RC, I mostly concentrated on SC and CR. SC was my biggesrt weakness , but coupled with the Manhattan guide and this forum , managed to increase the accuracy rate.CRs , i followed the procedures outlined on this forum and did just fne.
I took a second GMATPrep test and scored 710.
Once again , I emphasise the importance of the GMATPrep. You should go through each and every question on the tests you take , to understand the underlying concepts and to see the different ways how the examiners can throw them at you.
Test-Day
Went to the exam centre , signed in at my allotted time and started off with the essays. First one was analysis of a business plan and the analysis of issue was importance of national security and concealing information.Having got that out of the way,
Took my break and then started off with Quant.Got a lot of easy questions at first , then in the middle got some difficult ones and towards the end , got some easier ones again. I skipped only one question , one related to Probability as I knew i would not be able to solve it.
Anyways , finished the Quant section feeling satisfied. Took a break and started off with Verbal
The SCs seemed easy , so did the CRs , but the RCs were very tough compared to the ones I had seen till now.Somehow managed to complete the section in time and clicked to see my score.
Was expecting a 720 , but got 700. Not unhappy , but not really satisfied:)
I have only one piece of advice for the test takers: BE CALM
Again , I repeat : Whatever happens , BE CALM
I stress this again and again. The GMAT is just a test of your mental endurance and agility under stress.Concentrate on the question in front of you and nothign else.Forget the questions you answered , forget the questions that are coming , forget if the previous question was easy or difficult or you messed it , forget if the current question is easier compared to the previous ones.
Just be cool and you will do fine.
Planning to start with my apps in one or two days.
Good luck , all of you . Any more details needed on any aspect of my preparation , please let me know. I have benefited a lot from this forum and would be glad to assist others.
Special thanks to Eric for this forum and Stacey Blackman for her patience in answering my queries.
Im quite a frequent visitor on this board , though not a contributor
.My GMAT journey started last month when I registered for the GMAT exam on the urging of a friend and then proceeded to chalk out a study plan .I plan to apply this year and so wanted to finish off the GMAT process as soon as possible.Here's how i went about it.
Materials Used
1) OG 12
Very, very useful in getting the entry-level concepts right
2) Manhattan SC
Solid book , especially for people not strong in verbal
3) Beat the GMAT forum
This place is an absolute godsend , due to the tons of materials available here and questions discussed here.The approaches described here really helped me in my preparation. I would urge any serious test taker to make full use of this forum
Study Schedule
As I had quite a tight time frame , I wanted to get the basics under my belt right away.
First week - Brushed up on Quant concepts , mostly Arithmetic,Algebra and Geometry. Didnt concentrate much on Probability and COmbinations.
Took the first GMATPrep test. Got a 690 . (A word about the GMATPrep - It is all that is described in this forum. It is the best predictor of your actual score on the exam, provided you take it under actual test conditions duplicated to the last detail possible).
I took the test under actual conditions , writing both the essays first off, taking an 8-min break ( duration of breaks is reduced now) , then attempting Quant , then again the 8-min break and so on.
The idea was to get accustomed to the actual test conditions as much as possible. I also took all my tests at the same time I had scheduled my exam.(9:00 in the morning.)
As I was strong in RC, I mostly concentrated on SC and CR. SC was my biggesrt weakness , but coupled with the Manhattan guide and this forum , managed to increase the accuracy rate.CRs , i followed the procedures outlined on this forum and did just fne.
I took a second GMATPrep test and scored 710.
Once again , I emphasise the importance of the GMATPrep. You should go through each and every question on the tests you take , to understand the underlying concepts and to see the different ways how the examiners can throw them at you.
Test-Day
Went to the exam centre , signed in at my allotted time and started off with the essays. First one was analysis of a business plan and the analysis of issue was importance of national security and concealing information.Having got that out of the way,
Took my break and then started off with Quant.Got a lot of easy questions at first , then in the middle got some difficult ones and towards the end , got some easier ones again. I skipped only one question , one related to Probability as I knew i would not be able to solve it.
Anyways , finished the Quant section feeling satisfied. Took a break and started off with Verbal
The SCs seemed easy , so did the CRs , but the RCs were very tough compared to the ones I had seen till now.Somehow managed to complete the section in time and clicked to see my score.
Was expecting a 720 , but got 700. Not unhappy , but not really satisfied:)
I have only one piece of advice for the test takers: BE CALM
Again , I repeat : Whatever happens , BE CALM
I stress this again and again. The GMAT is just a test of your mental endurance and agility under stress.Concentrate on the question in front of you and nothign else.Forget the questions you answered , forget the questions that are coming , forget if the previous question was easy or difficult or you messed it , forget if the current question is easier compared to the previous ones.
Just be cool and you will do fine.
Planning to start with my apps in one or two days.
Good luck , all of you . Any more details needed on any aspect of my preparation , please let me know. I have benefited a lot from this forum and would be glad to assist others.
Special thanks to Eric for this forum and Stacey Blackman for her patience in answering my queries.
