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# GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47)

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GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 00:23
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I wrote the GMAT exam last week and my results are in:
Verbal: 47 (99th Percentile)
Quant: 50 (95th Percentile)
Total: 770/800 (99th Percentile)
Writing Assesment: 5.5/6

Now onto my own experience.

I used the following material to study:
* GMAC software: I took both the tests and took one test twice. The questions are not static so you will have a different test each time (till it finally runs out of questions).
* Official Guides 11th Edition - Quantitative(green), Verbal(purple) and the Verbal+Quant books (orange). These are indispensible. Purchase the books and complete them. If you are short on time these are the only books you should use. I went through the Sentence Correction sections twice. I kept track of the difficult Quant problems and did them again before the exam.
* Kaplan 2007 Premier Edition + CD: Questions are harder than the actual GMAT. Verbal is tough and Reading Comprehension is really difficult. I scored 630, 650, 640 on the tests on the CD.
* Manhattan Sentence Correction book: The Manhattan books on other topics were not as helpful.
* Google and GMAT forums: I didn't use a grammar text, if I had a question I googled it or asked it at a forum. I learnt a lot by answering questions at forums too.

Used but not recommended:
* Kaplan 800: Questions are difficult but I didn't see much value in using this book.
* Tata McGraw Hill: I read some quant basics from here and then did a test. It wasn't really necessary.

I started with a Diagnostic test from the GMAC Software. I scored a 720 but I felt the score was incorrect because I had answered quite a few questions wrong. I later realized that this was because of a number of factors - some aren't scored and difficulty level increases as you get questions right, some questions weigh more.

Next I went onto the Manhattan Sentence correction book. Unlike the GRE, the GMAT follows patterns. You don't need to be proficient in English to do well. Most SC questions can be broken down into a few categories. The trick is to identify the problem and this book will help you do so.

After this I got into solving questions from the Kaplan and the Official Guide(OG) books. As I mentioned above, Kaplan is a lot harder than the usual GMAT so solve this for practice to improve your speed but refrain from using this when you get close to the exam. The Official Guides are the most IMPORTANT.

I used a small diary to keep track of some grammar quirks, the more challenging Quant problems and the weird sentence correction sentences I came across.

I practiced actual tests using the Kaplan CD and the GMAC software. I tried to take a test every week but it wasn't always possible. The day before the test, I took a test from the GMAC software again. Its very important to simulate the actual test experience as many times as possible before taking the actual test.

For the writing assessment, I used the Official Guide again. There are two sample essays in the Orange book and it lists all the writing topics used. I wrote around 4 Argument essays and 4 Issue essays. I started with this a week before the test and was not too confident about this when I appeared for the test. I should have done this earlier. I used the introduction and conclusion from the essays in the OG book for all my essays. Don't reinvent the wheel!

I spent close to 3 months studying for it but it was only the second month that I was really serious. I couldn't spend too much time in the last month since I had some issues at work that I was trying to figure out. I took the date pretty late and only after my cousin insisted. In retrospect, I would have focussed more on the test I had taken the date earlier. The important point here is that its important for your preparation to peak just before you take the test.

Test Date: The test center is 50 miles away from where I live and my test was at 8:00am so I work up pretty early to beat traffic and get there early. The center was quiet, they gave me a pair of ear plugs to eliminate noise. My Argument essay went well but my Issue essay did not. I took too much time to answer it and I didn't get time to proofread the essay. A little upset, I started the Quant section. IMPORTANT: You have to use an erasable clipboard that you write on with a sketchpen for scratch work. I didn't know this before hand and I had a VERY difficult time. On the page, I couldn't tell the difference between my 7's and 4's while doing my calculations. If you can, please purchase the erasable sheet and marker for practice before the test. As I progressed through the quant, the questions started to get difficult and the erasable sheet didn't help. There was a point of time when I almost decided that I had answered too many incorrect and that I should cancel my score. I'm glad I didn't . The Verbal section on the other hand was much better.

Thats about all I can remember about my preparation right now. If I do remember something else I will update this post. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and I will respond.

The next step is to decide which MBA program to apply to, whom to ask for recommendations etc. Right now I'm looking for ways to improve my application.
I'll be spending a lot of time on this forum. Guys, give me some feedback, here's my profile:
Years of Experience: 3+ (Worked in India for 2 years and then took up an offer to work in the US for the same company)
Profession: Engineer at a Systems Company (I've been with this company since I graduated)
Education:
* Undergraduate: Computer Engineering at an IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) (my GPA is average at best).
* I've started to take weekend MBA classes at a public university. I plan to complete a Certificate Program in Management before I apply for my MBA.
Extra Curricular Activities:
* I was involved in a few activities in college - Music and Dramatics Society, organizer for a few Technical events, etc
* At work I'm involved with some volunteer activities and organizing some technical events.

Last edited by jjaspirant on 26 Jun 2008, 21:16, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 03:38
Nice score!!!

Don't take this the wrong way but Indian IT is the most overrepresented group applying to top B-schools so perhaps rather than taking MBA classes you could get some really good leadership experience by volunteering at something outside of work.

What schools are you initially thinking of applying to?
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 04:32
that is a very high score... recently i read comments which state that real GMAT is getting harder... how do u find the real test comparing to OG? (Verbal, Quant - any die-hard probability or weird types ...)
btw, Congrat n good luck 4 ur Bschool quest
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 04:34
Congratulations, nice score!
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 08:13
Congrats on a great score! I wish I could get that
Very nice debrief. Good luck with your applications!
_________________

Best AWA guide here: how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html

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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 16:51
navy01 wrote:
Nice score!!!

Don't take this the wrong way but Indian IT is the most overrepresented group applying to top B-schools so perhaps rather than taking MBA classes you could get some really good leadership experience by volunteering at something outside of work.

What schools are you initially thinking of applying to?

Yup I understand what you are saying about my background, I'm thinking of ways to improve my profile. Right now I'm thinking of applying to schools in India - the IIM's and ISB. I'm also considering applying to a good school in the US. I really doubt I can make it to Harvard or Stanford. I was thinking of schools in the 5th-15th ranks.
Any suggestions/thoughts?
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 16:54
AlbertNTN wrote:
that is a very high score... recently i read comments which state that real GMAT is getting harder... how do u find the real test comparing to OG? (Verbal, Quant - any die-hard probability or weird types ...)
btw, Congrat n good luck 4 ur Bschool quest

Albert, incidentally, I did think a few questions in quant were tough. But thats most likely because they were "experimental". I remember that I had to make a blind guess(almost) on one particular question. The Verbal was not too difficult. I think that OG is still the best source material to study from.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 17:00
Great Score! Congrats
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  17 Apr 2008, 19:53
Great Score. Congrats.

Is there a reason why you think you cant get in top5?

I believe you should try. By not trying you are already getting rejected.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  18 Apr 2008, 00:46
kyatin wrote:
Great Score. Congrats.

Is there a reason why you think you cant get in top5?

I believe you should try. By not trying you are already getting rejected.

The reason I'm not considering applying to the top 5 is my undergrad GPA. Its average at best. I had a hard time settling in in my first year of college and that really affected my GPA.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  18 Apr 2008, 03:30
Super Score. All the best for the next stage
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  18 Apr 2008, 06:35
jjaspirant wrote:

The reason I'm not considering applying to the top 5 is my undergrad GPA. Its average at best. I had a hard time settling in in my first year of college and that really affected my GPA.

Well. I believe you should at least consider one or two. Your GPA has *some* weight , true, but not all the weight.
Just take the risk...rewards are too high.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  18 Apr 2008, 09:16
770 and not considering top 5?
Then you are giving free ticket to some candidates whose score <=770 and whose GPA =your GPA.
What say
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  18 Apr 2008, 20:32
Excellent score buddy. Dont prejudge anything about which school etc. Focus on your aims and the schools that will help you get there. Contribute to the b-school application forum, where you'll find plenty of 2008 admits who have a wealth of wisdom on b-schools.
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Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47) [#permalink]  19 Apr 2008, 06:49
Thanks for the +ve feedback guys. I guess I really should consider applying for atleast 1-2 top 5 schools.
Re: GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47)   [#permalink] 19 Apr 2008, 06:49
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# GMAT 770 (Q-50, V-47)

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