Hello GMAT Takers,
I am writing this post because I need YOUR HELP.
I have taken the GMAT exam twice, but I have not aced my GOAL (680-700), although I was very close to it on the practice CAT's I did.
I am going to introduce some background information, so you know better how I am, and my experience with GMAT
Background: Girl, 26 years old, Engineer, top 20% of my promotion. Consultant. I love maths and I really enjoy with the Quantitative part, however, the Verbal part is getting on my way to reach my goal
1st experience attempting the GMAT: I studied for 1.5 months on my own. I did not take any courses or study plan, I kind of improvise a Little bit from what people I knew did, and from what I learnt from different blogs. During this period I took a break from work, so I was full-time focus on GMAT
Material used:
-
Official Guide edition 13th- I used it before reviewing anything to have an idea of which type of questions I could fine on the Gmat Exam
- Gmat club Math Book - I went through it after doing all the
OG, it helped me to have a more profound knowledge of the quantitative contents
- Academy notes on Verbal Section- General view of how to tackle the verbal section, and most important Sentence Correction errors.
-
Gmat Club Tests and Quizzes - I started using them before tackling and entire CAT exam, it helped to improve a lot on the Quantitative Section.
- CAT Exams - I did 5 CATs exam, with an average of 650, high scores on the Quant section, but low ones on the verbal
CAT 1: 660 (Q50, V 25)- kaplan
CAT 2: 680 (Q50, V31)- kaplan
CAT 3: 630 (Q48, V31)- kaplan
CAT 4: 630 (Q48, V29)- kaplan
CAT 5: 680 (don’t have the details) - GMAT Prep
I went through a 1 and a half-month period of very intense study, especially towards the end. I studied for more than 8 hours per day, with very short or no breaks during the weekend, producing me very intense headaches and anxiety. The week before the exam, I started taking vitamins ‘cos I was feeling very tired and with intense headache.
EXAM 1
On the exam day, I was nervous, but I was feeling better than the previous days, so I thought I still have a chance of doing it well.
I started with the AWA and IR, and my sensations were great. I took the 8-minute break, and I went in to face the Quantitative Section. I had problems with the timing; I had to guess a few questions toward the end. I went for the 2nd break knowing that I had done worst than in the practice CATs, but I felt I still have a chance. The verbal section was a complete disaster, terrific… I started quite tired, and guessing a lot. I did not understand most of the CR questions, I did not see the mistakes on the SC questions, it was all very confusing…. I felt very saturated, my head was hurting…..
The exam was over, I knew beforehand, that that exam was the worst one I have ever done… and I was no wrong, final results: 560 (Q47, V22), IR(7), AWA(5)
2nd experience attempting the GMAT: After my first experience I felt very demotivated and with no energy to face it again, so I took a break for almost a month
My 2nd studying period was also for a month and half. This time, I signed up on an online course (gmatonline.es), which had videos dealing with the main topics of both sections. Moreover, it had more than a 1,000 questions to practice and to make my own tests. I felt it really helped me improve with the verbal section. Once I went through all the lessons, I felt ready to tackle a CAT exam, this time I did 4 before the real one (1 Kaplan, 3
Manhattan Gmat), and I also got an average result of 650, improving a lot on the verbal and maintaining or decreasing a little bit the score on the quantitative, however, I read that in
Manhattan Gmat CAT’s, the quantitative section is harder than the real exam.
CAT 1: 660 (Q49, V31)- Kaplan
CAT 2: 640 (Q43, V35)- MMG
CAT 3: 650 (Q40, V39) - MMG
CAT 4: 670 (Q46, V35) -MMG
EXAM 2
This time I dealt much better with the timings and hours dedicated to study. I did not study more than 6-7 hours per day, I practice sport, and I had a break during the weekend. The week of the exam, I barely did anything… just review and relax.
The day of the exam, I felt rested and not too much nervous. Once again, I start with the AWA and IR and I felt well… I had a clear mind. After the 8-min break, I went for the Quantitative Section… and this time, I handle much better the time… I had to guess only 2 or 3 questions, (one of probability, my stigma on quant. Section). It felt better than the previous exam, however, I knew that my score was not more than 48.
Verbal Section, I started motivated, and dealing with the questions on time… however, many doubts came to my with the SC questions, I think, I analyzed too much each sentence. On the other hand, CR questions, which I normally see the correct answer straightforward, I found them harder….and in RC, I understood very well the main idea of the passage, but the questions were more kind of CR questions… which I found more difficult….
Final result 620 (Q47, V28), IR( 8), AWA (5)
So, this is my story… I want to give one more chance to the exam… ‘cos I really want to get into a TOP Ivy league MBA, however, this time I’ll be working, so I could only study on the evening and during the weekend. I was thinking on signing up for examination after Easter, so I could have a 10-days period focused on the Gmat, previous to the exam
I am not sure:
- How to tackle it,
- What material to use
- How to strength my verbal skills and reflect it into the exam
- How to ace the 680-700 on the real exam
What do you think? Can someone give me some advice? Has anyone undergone a similar situation? What made you achieve your goal?
Thank you guys! ☺
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24 Feb 2015, 12:46
