My GMAT story 620 to 670, if I can, you also can

Thanks bb for a wonderful website.

and all the users who share tips and strategies in such a selfless way...
The forums and links... I salute the Ban Bang Guides by whiplash
I wrote my first GMAT in November 2010, scored a 620... Quant was good with 46 but Verbal, a poor 29.
I joined the GMATclub in December 2010 and have been following the website regularly....
specially the GMAT retake strategies and the stories from GMAT takers...

I always believed I could score more... a 50 point improvement was in my grasp.

Mistakes I committed in my first attempt:-

Hardly prepared for the test... Only glanced through OG 12
Mismanagement of time specially on the VA section, I rushed through and ended the section with 12 minutes in my hand.

Lessons learnt:-
OG 12 is a must read
GMAT prep software can not be neglected, it is the best tool to acquaint oneself with the real GMAT

I began preparing in March- April 2011 for the second attempt.
Books I read:-
OG12, the all of it... specially the answer explanations help in knowing how not to chose wrong anwers.
Power Score CR Bible
Power Score SC Bible
Kaplan 800 Guide

took a couple of tests on the GMAT test prep software
Scored 640 on both occasions with VA score going above 30

SC needed more improvement, so read both the Manhattan SC guides too.

Registered with GMAT with another email address and downloaded two more tests.
Scored 640 again with highest VA of 35 but QA fluctuated between 45-48.

Last few days before the test, I took it easy, I revised concepts that I had learnt, Bang Bang guides on this website proved a lot helpful too.

My test Day:-

I had booked a 9 am slot. I did not have sound sleep the previous night, second time stakes were really high.

Walked in, a bit stressed... Have not got my AWA scores yet, hopefully I manage scores of 5 or so. I did not take the first optional break because I wanted to maintain the concentration levels.

Test started with QA questions, I felt lucky... DS in the beginning went fine too. I did spend lots of time on the initial questions... was crunched for time at the fag end.. but I did finish the test in time.
Getting first 10 questions correct is really important, and if you get the difficult ones correct you will suddenly get lots of easy ones. ( i got worried about it a little and spent some time assessing my situation). Through the practice tests, i realized that DS is my weak part, so focussed more on the QA part. I got questions on Co ordinate geometry, one on probablity, a few on algebra. I was happy that I managed to finish the 37th question right in time.

I took the second break to recharge my batteries and was now geared for the VA.

The first two questions were SCs, and third was CR. My first RC was on astronomy, a terse and dense passage with three questions. I again spent more time on the first 10 questions and did get a few sitters between 30-35.(The easy ones again got me worried) Next two passages were off relatively less difficulty.

As I finished the question 41 in the 75th minute, I rushed through the other formalities... and pressed on the report score button.
Phew, the new scores 46, 36... a 50 point improvement over my last time...

I know I could have done better in QA... But I will take 50 point improvement any day...

I understand that 670 makes me competitive... feedback is welcome...
My Profile:-
Graduation Ecnomics(2007), 59.9%
1 year with Ernst & Young
2 years with State Bank of India
in between 6 months as a Management Trainee with Li Fung
Decent academics and extra curricular


Thanks once again for the help from the members of GMAT club.