How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) : Share GMAT Experience
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# How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44)

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Director
Joined: 04 Oct 2008
Posts: 894
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategy
Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2013
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V44
GPA: 3.3
WE: Project Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Followers: 63

Kudos [?]: 280 [15] , given: 86

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09 Aug 2009, 14:54
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Unimportant Introduction

I took the GMAT for the first time in November 2008 and scored 700 (Q47, V39). At the time, I thought I had made the mark. After all, I had hit the magical 700 barrier that everyone talks about. It didn’t take long for me to realize that 700 was technically below average all of the top 10 schools. Although I had studied for 3 months prior to hitting the 700 mark, I knew I could do better, so I decided to retake the exam. This time I’d be shooting for 750.

In January 2009, I decided that I would use the GMAT Club Tests and the MGMAT SC guide to improve my quant and verbal scores. I finished 2 chapters of the MGMAT SC guide and quickly realized that this plan sucked. I was still worn out from my first attempt and I didn’t have any motivation to study on my own. To top it all off, the economy was getting worse and a lot of people were nervous about the impact on b-school job opportunities. I put the GMAT on the backburner and began to research March Madness strategies to ensure that I would get last place in the GMAT Club March Madness fantasy league.

By the time March Madness was done and I had succeeded in taking last place, Knewton was offering their course for $699. It seemed like a reasonable price and the program looked promising, so I paid for the program and chose the session that would run from June – July. So now that you know how I got back into studying the GMAT, here’s how it all went down… I took my Knewton diagnostic test and got a dismal 640 (Q46, V32). I was pretty pissed off because I only missed 2 questions on the quantitative portion. I couldn’t help but wonder if this program was just a marketing scam. Did they sandbag my performance on the first test just to make their 50 point guarantee easier to back? I called Knewton support and they said they’d look into my results and send me an email. I never got an email. I went forward with the course and most of it was actually pretty good. As most people will tell you, the instructors are great. The practice material is also really good. Most of their practice problems are official questions that have been rewritten. I actually liked this approach, because it gets you in the habit of looking for the pattern. Rather than seeing a random question, you see the concepts that are being tested. It’s also really helpful to practice with questions that are representative of the real exam. I was mostly disappointed with the CATs, which I thought was funny because they’re so quick to brag about having the original creators of the GMAT scoring algorithm on staff. The scoring on the Knewton CATs sucks, but I’m not sure if it’s an issue with the algorithm or simply a lack of difficult questions. It was also a little annoying that there wasn’t a good library of information to reference. The concept library was great for seeking explanations to problems you had missed, but there wasn’t a clearly organized method for reading material before you’re tested on it. This led me to seek resources outside of Knewton. The Recommendations Quant For quant, I used Jeff Sackmann’s Total GMAT Math, as well as his Extreme Challenge Questions Set. Total GMAT Math is by far the most thorough quant book available for the GMAT. It starts with the assumption that you know nothing about the GMAT and ends with the most difficult subjects, such as combinations, permutations, probability, and symbolism. Total GMAT Math contains every concept that you will need on the GMAT, but it won’t expose you to every combination of concepts. This is where the Extreme Challenge set comes in. The question set contains 100 questions that are all 720+ difficulty level. What I liked most about this question set is that it requires you to solve difficult questions by combining concepts. Consider the following question: "How many ways can you select 4 people from 5 married couples if no two people from the same couple can be selected?" You know that order doesn’t matter, but you can’t really solve this question with the combinations approach either. What’s the solution? You use the permutation approach and divide out the number of ways they can be ordered. (10x8x6x4)/(4x3x2x1) = 80 Jeff Sackmann’s explanations are outstanding and all of these questions appear to be based on official questions. Verbal SC MGMAT SC is an absolute must. This book will teach you everything you need to know about GMAT Sentence Correction. If you’re serious about getting V40+ on the GMAT and you’re not already an SC wizard, you have to buy this book. I learned a couple odds & ends from Knewton as well. CR & RC I didn’t use any books for these sections, because Knewton is actually really good with these subjects. I didn’t use Knewton’s approach to reading RC passages, but their explanation of question types was really helpful. I’m probably going against what most test prep companies will tell you, but I don’t use any tricks for CR or RC. I read the passage and answer the question. For me, it was really helpful to understand the types of wrong answer choices (too extreme, out of scope, etc). As you can see, I didn’t mention GMAT Club Tests or the Brutal SC document. I’ve tried to use these resources, but they’re just too demoralizing for me. A lot of people really like these resources, so don’t be swayed by my opinion, but just know that they aren’t the only resources that will take you to Q50 or V40+. The Test Scores Knewton #1 640 (Q46, V32) Knewton #2 730 (Q46, V45) Knewton #3 750 (Q48, V45) Knewton #4 730 (Q48, V41) *I lost faith in the Knewton CATs and never took the last one. MGMAT #4 730 (Q49, V41) GMATPrep #1 750 (Q49, V42) -9 Quant errors, 6 Verbal errors (1RC, 2CR, 3SC) GMATPrep #1 RT 780 (Q51, V47) -3 Quant errors, 2 Verbal errors (1SC, 1CR) GMATPrep #2 750 (Q49, V44) -10 Quant errors (timing issues), 5 Verbal errors (3SC, 2CR) GMATPrep #2 RT 770 (Q50, V47) -6 Quant errors (finished early), 2 Verbal errors (1SC, 1RC) (finished early) Official GMAT: 770 (Q50, V44) The Ratings Knewton Course 3.5/5 Stars -$699?
Total GMAT Math 5/5 Stars - $50 Extreme Challenge Set 5/5 Stars -$25
Manhattan GMAT SC 5/5 Stars - $18 Edit: I forgot to mention that this has been my desktop wallpaper at work and at home since I started preparing. My friend says that I should have made one that said 800 :p Attachment: GMAT3.jpg [ 9.51 KiB | Viewed 31855 times ] _________________ Last edited by Av on 09 Aug 2009, 16:13, edited 1 time in total.  Manhattan GMAT Discount Codes EMPOWERgmat Discount Codes Optimus Prep Discount Codes Current Student Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 358 Location: San Francisco Schools: Duke,Oxford,IMD,INSEAD Followers: 10 Kudos [?]: 74 [0], given: 15 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 15:14 super score and nice post ... real inspiration for trying again even though you got a 700 in the first attempt. Current Student Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 187 Location: Ithaca, New York Schools: Cornell University - The Johnson School Followers: 10 Kudos [?]: 47 [0], given: 62 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 16:46 Echoing gmanjesh, super score and nice post. I think what I gleaned from your post is that in order to be successful on the GMAT find something that works for you and run with it. I think it really is trial and error with some of this stuff. For example, I have access to 800score's tests and really think they suck. Some people swear by them. Also, some of the famous docs floating around such as Brutal SC have errors so I chose not to use them. During my prep I have used several of MGMAT's guides including the SC guide and found these to be fantastic resources. Jeff Sackman's stuff seems really good. I take the GMAT on Friday so it's a little late to get his material. However, if I'm not happy with my score I may look into it for a retake. I seem to have the opposite problem of most test takers, i.e., high verbal, good not great quant. Thanks again and good luck! Intern Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 38 Schools: Cornell 2011 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 3 [0], given: 0 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 17:12 congrats on a great score! good luck with mba applications Senior Manager Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 357 Followers: 2 Kudos [?]: 67 [0], given: 32 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 17:21 very impressive! all the best for your apps. SVP Status: Burning mid-night oil....daily Joined: 07 Nov 2008 Posts: 2400 Schools: Yale SOM 2011 Alum, Kellogg, Booth, Tuck WE 1: IB - Restructuring & Distressed M&A Followers: 78 Kudos [?]: 733 [0], given: 548 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 18:45 Congrats Aver. Well done. Now stop procrastinating (by taking another GMAT exam ) and start those essays! _________________ Manager Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 170 Schools: Harvard Business School, Stanford Followers: 4 Kudos [?]: 24 [0], given: 9 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 20:34 Congratulations, great job! VP Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 1430 Followers: 39 Kudos [?]: 352 [1] , given: 1 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 20:49 1 This post received KUDOS Congratulations Aver! What is the Q50, V45 image? Sequel to the Sequel? Manager Joined: 28 Jul 2009 Posts: 124 Location: India Schools: NUS, NTU, SMU, AGSM, Melbourne School of Business Followers: 6 Kudos [?]: 71 [0], given: 12 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 09 Aug 2009, 20:56 Great score mate!! Best of Luck for your applications! _________________ GMAT offended me. Now, its my turn! Will do anything for Kudos! Please feel free to give one. Director Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 546 WE 1: Investment Banking - 6yrs Followers: 2 Kudos [?]: 60 [0], given: 92 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 03:36 Mighty Congrats! Director Status: Badgerine! Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 894 Location: United States (CA) Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategy Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2013 GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V44 GPA: 3.3 WE: Project Management (Aerospace and Defense) Followers: 63 Kudos [?]: 280 [0], given: 86 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 05:14 icandy wrote: Congratulations Aver! What is the Q50, V45 image? Sequel to the Sequel? I made the image in May/June, so it would motivate me to study for the next three months. I was actually aiming for 750, so it's a little amusing to have scored the same score and nearly the same breakdown that I had chosen to shoot for. It's like a digital GMAT fortune cookie _________________ Senior Manager Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 482 Location: United States GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 GPA: 3.9 Followers: 39 Kudos [?]: 196 [0], given: 12 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 05:31 This is an awesome score so congratulations... i'm so jealous it's not fair I'm currently scoring in the 49-50Q range on gmatprep. I want to make sure I get 50Q so I still want some practice for quant. I'm thinking of using Sackmann my last two weeks. Do you think the Extreme Challenge Set will be sufficient or would you recommend Total GMAT Math instead (or both if necessary)? Thanks! Manager Joined: 07 Jul 2009 Posts: 230 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 97 [0], given: 13 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 06:04 Congrats for an excellent score! Your debrief is equally good as it provides an alternative approach and resources for GMAT preparation. I am having timing issues on verbal portion. What would you advise to overcome timing issue. Director Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 798 Followers: 21 Kudos [?]: 118 [0], given: 25 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 06:09 Wooo! way to go buddy! Manager Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 156 Followers: 4 Kudos [?]: 9 [0], given: 1 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 08:37 awesome Intern Joined: 21 Jul 2009 Posts: 33 Followers: 9 Kudos [?]: 96 [0], given: 0 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 11:43 Hey Avernusaur, great story. Quick question - is the Total GMAT Math worth purchasing if I'm already scoring Q47 on the MGMAT CAT? I've already got all of the MGMAT quant strategy guides and I just purchased the extreme challenge math set. Thanks much Intern Joined: 11 Jul 2009 Posts: 8 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 0 [0], given: 19 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 12:23 nice one. congratulations. Director Status: Badgerine! Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 894 Location: United States (CA) Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategy Schools: Michigan (Ross) - Class of 2013 GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V44 GPA: 3.3 WE: Project Management (Aerospace and Defense) Followers: 63 Kudos [?]: 280 [0], given: 86 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 16:56 bipolarbear wrote: This is an awesome score so congratulations... i'm so jealous it's not fair I'm currently scoring in the 49-50Q range on gmatprep. I want to make sure I get 50Q so I still want some practice for quant. I'm thinking of using Sackmann my last two weeks. Do you think the Extreme Challenge Set will be sufficient or would you recommend Total GMAT Math instead (or both if necessary)? Thanks! At your stage, I think you'd be best served by using the Extreme Challenge Set. The answer explanations should be sufficient to correct any issues you might have. understudy wrote: Hey Avernusaur, great story. Quick question - is the Total GMAT Math worth purchasing if I'm already scoring Q47 on the MGMAT CAT? I've already got all of the MGMAT quant strategy guides and I just purchased the extreme challenge math set. Thanks much Yes, it's worth buying even if you're scoring Q47. In fact, that's where I started. If you're hitting 49/50 on GMATPrep, you could probably get by with just using the Extreme Challenge Set that I recommended to bipolarbear. You're going to be familiar with most of the content in the early chapters of the book, but you might find it useful to skim through those chapters for new approaches. Since both of these questions were quant related, I should point out that I didn't have a single combinations, permutations, or probability question on my GMAT. Not even one! I'm actually a little disappointed, because I got really good at them. This is probably why Veritas has stopped publishing Project GMAT. _________________ Senior Manager Joined: 10 Dec 2008 Posts: 482 Location: United States GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44 GPA: 3.9 Followers: 39 Kudos [?]: 196 [0], given: 12 Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink] ### Show Tags 10 Aug 2009, 17:50 Cool. Just ordered the Extreme Challenge + Data Sufficiency Challenge (2 for$39). At the very least it'll grant me some motivation with fresh new material.
Manager
Joined: 08 Jun 2009
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Kudos [?]: 2 [0], given: 2

Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44) [#permalink]

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12 Aug 2009, 00:17
Congrats!!
Re: How I upgraded my 700 to a 770 (Q50, V44)   [#permalink] 12 Aug 2009, 00:17

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