End of a phase

This is a long post, and it does not even talk much about the scores. This is primarily intended to talk about my experiences before, just before, during and after the exam.

Some of you might already have noticed the "just before".

I have been intent on getting a place in an MBA program for a very long time. Background Check - I am an engineer, and have 7 years of work experince at this time. The want to do an MBA arose about 4 years ago, when the IT industry was falling apart (it is tearing apart now, at seams). But back to my story - I ended up taking CAT, the Combined Admission Test, for the IIMs (the Indian Institutes of Management) in 2003 end, for admission to 2004-2004 programs. Background Check - I am an Indian Citizen. I was unlucky, that I did not get admission to IIM at Ahmedabad, where I wanted to, and ended up getting calls from IIMs at Lucknow and Kozhikode. In frustration, I didn't join either, and moved to the United States.

So again my quest started for pursuing an MBA program from the Unites States. And I prepared on and off, in the last 2 years, for the GMAT. Finally when I decided, it was quite late. I registered on 18th May for the GMAT. The last day of applications was 15th June at my local school (W P Carey School of Business), but I had a weeklong training starting 5th June, I could really not take my GMAT after the 3rd of June. So that's the date I chose. This gave me roughly 15 days to prepare and take the GMAT.

I had one book, the OG 10 that I have had for a while now. Other than that, I bought Kaplan 2006 premium edition. This was recommended by a friend of mine. In retrospect, I don't think Kaplan is that good:
1. Kaplan's math doesn't challange you.
2. Some of Kaplan's math questions are picks from OG.
3. Kaplan's Verbal tests are horrible - tough and ambiguous answers.
4. Their test software sucks too - its different from the real thing.

I am sure if I start a Kapslan I'd prepare a course much better than Kaplan. But as a business school aspirant, I know that better does not always sell

To be fair to Kaplan, they do have good verbal tips. I's be honest here - I didn't read their book for more than 2-3 hours to know more than that - I took all their tests though, and they did nothing more than to kill my self confidence.

Okay now about the scores during practice. In the on-and-off practice days, I was consistantly among 90 percentiles in the GMATClub challanges. But that was math only. I knew being a non-native speaker, my verbal skills would be severely put to test in GMAT. This didn't become apparent in the GMATPrep tests though:
GMATPrep 1 : 770
GMATPrep 2 : 760
GMATPrep 2 (retest - 770)
Someone had mentioned that GMATPrep software has so many questions that if you take a retest, it provides you with a different set of questions. This isn't exactly true - some questions were repeated.
Kaplan 1 - 620
Kaplan 2 - 600
Kaplan 3 - 520
Kaplan 4 - 590.
I am writing these scores from my memory, as I remember them - I'd be able to correct them later - I have the scores recorded in my notebook.

On the day of the exam, which was to start by 8:15 (am), I ran into problems. I had taken my Arizona state driver's licence for identification purposes. The Pearsons people told me that's not sufficient. I needed to provide my passport because I was not a citizen. Turned out, that GMAC's email that confirms the registration for GMAT is misleading in some way. It mentions that if you're taking the test in USA, there're certain things that qualify as proper ID, and driver's licence is one of them. It does not mention citizenship here. It also mentions that if you're taking the test in India, you need to have your passport. Since I was not taking the test in India, I thought the driver's licence would suffice. That was not to be. They pointed out to an obscure corner of that mail, where it was mentioned that if you're taking the test in a country other than the country of your citizenship, you should get a passport.

This was pointed out at 7:38 am, and they said if you can get the passport by 8:15, well and good, else you're on your own. Troublespot: my home is 30 miles from the test center. I called a friend, and asked him to get the passport from my home. He drove at 80 miles an hour all the way, and I had my passport at 8:13 am !!

Well, in panic I must have called 20 times in those 37 minutes. But I am glad he was able to reach in time, and I am so grateful to him for his efforts.

Well, finally I was allowed to take the test. Here're some observations about the test:
1. The washable notebook that is provided isn't too good. Its not a 100% substitute for a pencil and paper. Sometimes the pen stops working. But all in all, its not something that would really hurt you.
2. Reaching the test center early is a good idea. AND IF YOU ARE NOT A CITIZEN, CARRY YOUR PASSPORT. THIS IS TRUE EVEN IF YOU'RE A CITIZEN, TAKING THE TEST IN THE US. I saw a guy going back without giving the test because his address had changed, and his driver's licence still mentioned the old address. Reaching early also gives you the option of going back home and getting something, if you missed something.
3. The test isn't difficult. All said and done, the test is easy. I am sure that had I been not that panicky that morning, I'd have done much better. And I am positive that the people who don't end up doing well in the test do so because of reasons other than intelligence.

I ended up scoring a 750 (99 %ile).
Quant 50 (95%ile), Verbal 41 (93%ile).

This ends one phase. Life doesn't end. At this time, I am not even sure if I should go ahead and apply - I don't even know what value add would an MBA from ASU do to my career, and my life.

I would be around in this forum. I've gotten much from it. And if anyone needs help, can send me a message.

Thats my way of paying back.