Introduction + 1st GMAT Practice Exam (550/Q21/V42)
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07 Jul 2010, 06:28
Hello Everyone,
I learned about GMAT Forum just a couple of weeks ago and this is my first post. From what I can see, the forum and it's members are extremely good about giving solid advice, as well as encouragement. I just wanted to give a little background on myself and a brief summary of my first test score so that as I continue to post here in the future, there's some background for others to refer to.
Personal Background
Sex: Male
Age: 27
Race: Mexican-American
Educational Background
School: Pomona College [for those of you who don't know it, it's ranked in the Top 5 in the country for Liberal Arts schools]
Major: Psychology
GPA: 3.97
Class Rank: #2 out of roughly 350
Honors & Distinctions: Summa cum Laude (top 1%) and Phi Beta Kappa member
Work Background
1st Job: 1 year with the Los Angeles District Attorney in a non-law role
2nd Job: 2 years doing Business Development and Marketing with a top New York marketing firm
3rd & Current Job: I helped start (when I was 18) and have continued to help run (remotely) a Nile Cruise business in Egypt. As I mentioned, I have been involved since the time I was roughly 18, but just now moved to work on location. Been working in Egypt for 1 year and will continue to do so until I get accepted to school
Study Background
I just began studying about a week ago. I have most of the books in GMAT Club's "Ultimate Plan" and hope to work through most of them. I just began a Manhattan Review course yesterday, but have yet to see how good/useful it is. I have roughly 7 weeks to study.
First GMAT Practice Test #1
I just took my first real CAT GMAT Practice Exam provided by Manhattan Review and scored a 550 (Q21/V42). I answered 29 of the 37 Math Questions, leaving 8 unanswered. I got 22/29 questions I answered correct. On the verbal section I answered all questions, getting 33/41 correct.
Thoughts
I am well aware that Math is my biggest weakness. I haven't really studied it (except for the past week) for the last 10 years and I was never incredibly strong in it. Verbal I'm relatively strong in, but can make careless mistakes at times. I have never been a strong standardized test taker, so I tend to get nervous/inefficient with my time when I take them.
I plan on applying to some of the top schools in the nation. I am well aware that 550 is not a score that gets you into those schools. But, given some of my credentials (grades, school, what i'm doing now, etc.), I think if I can get my score closer to the 650-700 range, I have a fighting chance. Anything higher, which I'm not necessarily expecting, I think I'm looking pretty good.
So, in conclusion, that's me in a nutshell. Again, I guess I just wanted to introduce myself and get any feedback from you guys regarding anything I said, especially related to my first GMAT performance, how some of this might line up with your own profiles and experiences, advice you might have, how best to attack my studying, etc. I know it's all vague, but ya know, just being part of the community and getting feedback is already going to be a great first start on my road towards the GMAT. Thanks ahead of time.