720 (Q47, V42, IR 8, AWA 6). One and done. 6 weeks.

Figured I'd share my story now that I have my apps in for Round 2. Took my blind test beginning of September and got a 590 (Q32, V40). Good to know that I basically didn't have to study verbal but the quant score scared the **** out of me since I knew b school's cared more about that as well. Test was scheduled for first weekend of Nov.

Starting looking at prep courses but I'm coming from non-profit so dropping 1200-1500 on kaplan or princeton review course just wasn't really feasible for me. Found EmpowerGMAT and it was a game changer. I got obsessive with it. Probably did 30-40 hours in my first week. I took another practice test after a week on ManhattanPrep and got a 630. 40 points in a week felt good but the math still felt SO hard. Read about ManhattanPrep and how their CATs tend to be harder on the quant side. So decided to use one of my GMATprep CATs. Scored a 680 (42,42). 90 point jump after a week.

This was when I realized that I can crush this test. I adjusted my goals from just wanting to crack 700 to hitting 730. I had the fixed mindset of not being a "math guy". I'm very analytical (IR 8 with zero studying of IR whatsoever). But I hate conceptual math. Just had a bad experience in AP Calc in high school that stuck with me. But there is absolutely nothing on the GMAT that comes close to that level. Realizing that, and realizing it's just a matter of putting the hours in. I cranked through all the lessons on Empower in about two week more weeks. Took my second GMATPrep and got a 690 (44, 41). Was somewhat downtrodden but this was only after 3 weeks of studying and I was being a little ridiculous with my expectations.

Started running through problem sets in the Official Guides. I had all the techniques down. I just needed to see more problems. Started getting pretty good. The other thing with EmpowerGMAT is the tips and tricks are PHENOMENAL. As far what questions to dump and move on from. Elimination of answers, etc. They are an invaluable confidence booster on test day (more on that later). I bought the additional GMATPrep pack. I was done with the Manhattan ones, they didn't seem predictive at all. GMATPrep are far more expensive but completely worth it. They are the only ones that are truly accurate. Took my third one and same score 690 (44, 41). I was pretty bummed to be honest. I had jumped basically 100 points in a week then I plateaued hard.

Since my quant wasn't going up, I had a new strategy and dissected my verbal score a bit. I had done ZERO studying of verbal at this point. Looking at my score breakdown, I had huge and awesome revelation. I had scored literally perfect on the RC and CR questions on the last two tests. EVERY question I missed on verbal were higher level SC questions. If I could push that score a bit, my quant might be lower (which sucks for apps but oh well) but I could get a 700+ easily. It literally came down to 2-3 additional SC questions correct. Studied those hard and read all the tips on EmpowerGMAT.

One week out from test and took my final GMATPrep. Got a 750 (47, 47). Felt like Pablo. Math had jumped somehow. And my verbal strategy worked perfect. I got two questions wrong on the entire verbal section (both SC), and had scored perfect on RC and CR again. I essentially scored perfect on verbal.

One week out and I didn't want to over prep so I continued with my quant prep and some light additional SC prep. I took one more CAT the day before (despite what people say, I know myself). I also made a morning of guide with all the quant concepts and formulas and other tips and tricks to look at the morning of test.

Day of test. Woke up at about 6am for 8am test. Did some light practice problems to wake my brain up. Took the train downtown to testing center and read over my morning of guide. I felt good. Get there around 7:40. No issues signing in. I am not nervous at all. About 10 other people waiting and some were shaking which actually made me feel better. Walk into the test center and the girl next to me is working on some quant question. Not a word problem. Just an equation. And she's just sitting there and staring at it. Not writing anything. This was a big confidence booster for me as I knew this was a big no-no.

Knock out essay and IR no problem. Didn't study those at all. I'm a strong writer and like I said earlier, analytics and case style questions are my bag. Start quant and I'm cooking pretty good. See a couple super high level questions (think multi shape geometry with spheres) and I just dump them. I could have gotten them right probably but didn't have the time. Felt good about quant. Move onto verbal. Feel generally good. But a little more tense as I know I can score perfect here. Get done. Click through all the screens. 720 pops up. Q47, V42, IR 8.

I accepted the score and felt good about it. I was a little salty on the verbal because I know I can do better. And when you starting getting into the 42+ zone of verbal, it literally is essentially a right answer for each additional point on raw score. But hit my peak on quant. I thought about taking it again and going for 740+. But decided it just wasn't really worth it. I had gotten 94th percentile after 6 weeks. Can't complain.

Key takeaways:
1. EmpowerGMAT is dope. Highly recommend. By FAR the best bang for buck.
2. Realize it's just a game. Study more. Practice more. Do better. Period.
3. Biggest tip. Figure out how you can push YOUR score up. Analyze your practice tests. Don't just study everything. Not sure I would have broken 700 if I hadn't realized my mistakes with SC.