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500 to 800 - What it takes?

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MohammedT
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500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   31 Jul 2009, 09:31
Hey guys ...

I just joined, and I like it here :-D

So I want to apply to Insead (I like everything about this school), Its either Insead or not another MBA.

Reality is, I think am not attractive for admission's consideration so am aiming for a high GMAT score: :?

- Poor GPA in college (2.75 out of 5!!!) :|
- 3 Years of working experience as manager (I own a small Filtration manufacturing company).
- Almost done with Liverpool's MBA online program (Currently working on dissertation) :)

I took the GMAT 2 years ago (no preparation) and got 500, now I want to hit the 780-800 mark, am not sure how much time I need to build my skill (both Q&V) to achieve those results, I read some threads and it seems like 1 to 3 months is a common preparation period, I'd like to go threw this slowly until I fully master everything possible in this test, I am thinking more like a Year (studying 3 hours weekly), is this too much?

Kindly advice.
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topher
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   31 Jul 2009, 09:59
Getting a 780-800 requires 3 things:
1. Hard work
2. Natural intelligence and ability
3. Luck

There is very little (no) margin for error. Even if you took a very smart person and had him/her take the exam, he/she might get an 800 one time and a 780 the next time simply because the day was different, mind/mood was slightly different, etc. These are very fleeting and lucky factors that can affect your score.

Now, you've said you would study for 1 year at 3 hours weekly. That's not nearly enough if you are coming off a 500. That's a total of 156 hours. By the time my study period is over (a little less than 3 months), I will have studied more than that. In 1.5 months, I've probably clocked 100 hours or so and have increased my score from 680 to about 720/730. So to answer your question, no it's not too much; it is far too little.
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bipolarbear
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   31 Jul 2009, 10:06
3 hours per week is not sufficient for the gmat... that's basically like 2 sessions of 1 specific topic (SC grammar, specific type of CR question)...etc.

If you were to study 3 hours per day for 5 days a week, I think a year would be a good amount of time to increase 300 points. An easier method would probably be to first go with a test prep company to improve to 650 or so, then self-study. The initial 100 point increase from 500-600 will be difficult alone if you don't have the fundamentals.
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mediamindy
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   31 Jul 2009, 13:34
You need to eat, breathe, live GMAT. Seriously. Coming from 500... I suggest you take a course. Manhattan gmat, Veritas Prep... something. I am currently taking the 9-week Manhattan Gmat and has helped me tremendously!

You know if the GMAT/MBA was easy, everyone would be doing it.
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seofah
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   01 Aug 2009, 09:01
Give it your 100% and let the result follow - whatever it is!

INSEAD is certainly within your reach :)

Also, don't be sensitive to your GPA. If you have succeeded in something else that is important in the business context, then who cares whether your GPA is 4 or 2?!
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MohammedT
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink] New post   02 Aug 2009, 13:18
Thanks for your help guys ...

I think am better of squeezing it into 2-3 months rather than expanding it on one year.

I'll start preparing soon.

Cheers
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Re: 500 to 800 - What it takes? [#permalink]
02 Aug 2009, 13:18
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