Hi Guys..
Just done with my GMAT finally. Don’t think Ill want to repeat the test again. Scored a 720 ( Q, 49, V 41). Got a 6.0 on my AWA.
I took the test twice last year and I scored a 660 ( Q 47, V 35, AWA 5.0) and 620 ( Q 48 , V 28, AWA 5.5).
I’ve seen loads of scores with breakups of Q 49, V 41 at 730/740 earlier, which may mean that the test is getting progressively harder on its scoring.
On my test prep took about 12 tests including a few of
GMATClub tests. They are definitely helpful, but I have realised that the GMAT Quant was way different today from anything I have seen so far. It was definitely tricky, and required understanding of the subtle nuances of the subject more than intense calculation in some questions.
With regards to Verbal, you would be in good shape, with the Good Old books such as the
OG, the
Verbal OG and Quant
OG guides, Manhattan SC, and Power Score CR bible.
I took training from Knewton and it was excellent as well. Writing about this calls for a separate post, and I don’t want my debrief to sound like a marketing campaign for Knewton, but "KNEWTON ROCKS". I would definitely accredit my comfort level on the verbal section to them. They were fabulous.
To those who wanted to know how I progressed to this score, here are my Practice Test scores
ETS Paper Based Test 1 - 720
ETS Paper Based test 2- 710
ETS Paper Based test 3- 700
ETS Paper Based Test 4 - 740
GMAT Prep 1- 760
GMAT Prep 2- 750
Knewton Test 1- 700
Knewton Test 2-650
Knewton Test 3- 730
Knewton Test 4- 740
Although a more detailed debrief will follow from my side if needed, here some advice for future test takers
1) Don’t bother about tough probability, permutations and combination. You may not have any question, and even if you do, knowing the basic concept can help. If not guess and move on. You would be doing the guessing work on easier problems otherwise towards the end of the test. The problems you could have completed but didn’t due to lack on time.
2) Number theory, set theory and exponents will have far more problems. Surprisingly I had two or three geometry questions testing slopes in parallelograms and triangles. Although not difficult the problems were time consuming.
3) Problems in Quant are getting harder, and it is very difficult to complete the quant on time. I had to guess that last 7 questions and I did make educated guesses towards the end of the test.
4) Keep AWA for the last day.
Chinese burned's AWA guide to 6.0 helps. Try to read some news paper articles in business news on Environmental issues, and the business climate. It will help in the AWA for giving real life examples.
5) On the verbal section, the CR is getting tougher. Work on a few passages where CR skills are being tested. That should hold you in good stead in the exam.
6) The CR was tough as well. Finally SC, which is painful for non native speakers, can be beat by knowing the common strategies, and practising the GMATPREP questions. Use GMATclub to search for previous posts on questions you don’t understand.
7) Finally I have been here for on GMAT club for a long time now. This is an addictive forum. Close to your test days, at least a month closer to your test , you are better off focusing on your practice tests than aggressively replying back to every post you read on GMATclub, I did that , last year and it didn’t help me. I was spending more time reading feel good nice posts about high scores, and reading posts on how I should be working on my essays rather than working on my weaknesses in the test. Do one thing at a time.. Don’t put your hands in two many buckets. You’ll come back empty handed
8)My wife lost her uncle 2 days before my test date, and I had two challenging days prior to the test; wherein I was trying to rush in for last minute tickets to India for her, and all travel agents were shut because it was weekend.
Couldn’t work on my plan for the last 2 days that I had in mind, but nevertheless, I am happy with what I have got... No regrets... So you never know in which situation you would be going in for your exam irrespective of your time and prep for Test. So when you go for your test, keep everything else aside, and when you are practicing, don’t jump over your excellent scores.
Your GMAT score doesn’t define you as a person, as an employee, as a friend.... Don’t harp over your test scores... No one would care beyond a point. Unless your plan to join a Test Prep company to go and teach GMAT
9) ETS and Pearson may not agree with me, but the GMAT also depends on your luck. But they say the luck favours the brave, so go ahead, give it your best shot and while doing the test forget bothering about your score.
10) Final day test tips ( For a relaxed exam) .
Do some breathing exercices between the sections. I learnt the Bellows breath technique ( bhastrika) and the brahmaari technique during my Art of Living Part 1 course. It was quite effective put to use in this test. Helps mellow down the constant chattering of your mind, and any worry if you do come across a difficult question. Very helpful for those who get nervous easily when they come across a difficult question or those who have a test fear and suddenly get blank in an exam hall. Alternative nosril breathing is also effective to calm your mind.
GMAT is a test of nerves, and it works best to maintain your cool throughout the test. Dont let a bad Quant section affect your morale for the Verbal.
Most importantly
1) Do not study very hard on the day prior to your exam.Study should be limited to revising formulas and idioms, and one should avoid studying if possible.
2)I messed up my test last year as I was exhausted prior to my test.
3) Eat a light brekfast and drink enough water, and avoid caffeine prior to the test.
4) Carry a Paracetamol tablet with you. Panadol etc. Take a pill should you need it. I took one prior to my test and I feel it helped.
And before I forget, thank you GMATCLUB you have been a part of my life, In fact my home page for more than a year now.. And I don’t intend on changing my home page just as yet...
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Updated on: 20 Sep 2009, 01:26
