After a few months since taking my second GMAT, I thought it would perhaps be helpful for others to share my story. Besides, it gives me a bit of practice for my essays.
First Try:Every week or so I would work on the
Manhattan GMAT books and understand the theory. I would then do the
OG problems for a specific topic. When I started realizing that my GMAT scores were getting weaker by the month, I decided that I needed a more rigorous and continuous approach. That's when I signed up to GMAT Club and did all the problems.
I then did the questions you get through MBA.com. I bought the pack for $30 and it gives you access to 400 questions, including the ones that come for free. I also went ahead and did the GMAT tests that come with the software after re-doing all the
Manhattan GMAT tests.
Mock 1 (GMAT software): 690-730
Mock 2 (GMAT software): 690-740
The higher scores were one week before the test. I was confident but still ended with a 660 (Q48V34).
I already had a back-up plan. Take six months off and then take a few weeks off from work during Christmas of that year, prepare again and re-take in January.
Second Try:A few weeks before my weeks off, I reviewed all the theory from my notes without doing any practice problems. During the three weeks off, I did all the
OG problems, the 400 questions of MBA.com and the 4 GMAT tests that come with GMAT Prep (you can now buy two additional ones).
Mock 3 (GMAT software): 670
Mock 4 (GMAT software): 710
Mock 1 (GMAT software): 730
Mock 2 (GMAT software): 760
I also hired some private help for CR because I was still having a hard time with CR questions.
Now I was sure I was ready: GMAT Test: 720 (Q47V42)
What works:- Be rigorous and continuous (practice almost every day, especially a few weeks before the test).
- Focus a lot on official questions.
- Use the internet to get other ways of solving a particular problem. GMAT Club forum is very helpful but you can find other forums if you google the question.
- You can practice unofficial questions (GMAT Club) or tests (
Manhattan GMAT) but given that they are harder than the official questions, don't be too discouraged by your score.
- Try to understand your weakness and seek private help if you are still unable to address it.
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Manhattan GMAT books are amazing. If you have basic understanding of english/maths and self-discipline, you can do it on your own. No need for a course.
And that's it! Hope it helps and let me know if you have additional questions!
Cheers,
Ganonym