From 645 to 705: My GMAT Journey | E-GMAT

Hello GMAT Club Members,
I am thrilled to share my GMAT journey with all of you, as a final-year engineering student, I faced the dual challenge of managing my coursework alongside my GMAT preparation. Despite these challenges, I successfully progressed from a 645 to a 705, achieving scores of V86 in Verbal and Q87 in Quant. Here’s how I navigated through my prep journey, leveraging targeted strategies and structured learning.
After extensive research and going through numerous reviews on various GMAT preparation platforms, I narrowed down the e-GMAT course. What drew me in were the positive reviews about its structured approach and particular emphasis on verbal strategies—areas where I needed the most improvement. The comprehensive material, engaging video lessons, and focused strategy sessions seemed tailor-made for someone like me, a final-year engineering student needing to build a strong foundational understanding while balancing a heavy academic schedule.

Overcoming Challenges – GMAT Verbal
My journey with the GMAT was filled with several challenges, particularly in the verbal section, which initially seemed insurmountable. I would like to share how I navigated these hurdles with specific strategies that might resonate with many of you facing similar difficulties.
Reading Comprehension Struggles:=11.0pt My initial struggles with RC were largely due to my approach of diving deep into the details of each passage and re-reading, which was both time-consuming and inefficient. I often found myself lost in complex biological essays or intricate details that seemed irrelevant to the questions asked. Reflecting on the feedback from e-GMAT, I realized the necessity to focus on understanding the main idea and structure of the passages instead of getting bogged down by every detail.
This was exemplified in my early attempts where I would read a passage and get lost in the details, only to find that the questions required a broader understanding. With guided practice, I learned to identify key points and themes, which dramatically improved my efficiency and confidence in handling RC questions. This approach helped boost my RC percentile from the 19th to the 93rd, a transformation that significantly contributed to my overall score improvement.
Critical Reasoning Refinement:=11.0pt Initially, I was already performing reasonably well in CR, starting at the 80th percentile. However, I aimed for excellence. The challenge was not just understanding the arguments but mastering the technique of pre-thinking, which e-GMAT emphasized greatly. Instead of jumping directly into the answer choices, I began to spend a few extra seconds thinking about the possible directions of the question.
This strategy was particularly helpful in complex argument structures where the correct answer was not directly stated but implied through nuanced language. By predicting answers before reviewing the choices, I reduced the likelihood of being misled by cleverly worded incorrect options, pushing my score into the 97th percentile.
Time Management and Strategy Application:=11.0pt Throughout my preparation, time management was a recurring theme. Initially, I spent too much time on individual questions, especially in the verbal section. This changed when my mentor emphasized the importance of a balanced approach. For example, in our sessions, we discussed how spending an inordinate amount of time on one question just to try to get it correct when feeling lost could jeopardize the overall timing of the section.
Learning to let go of certain questions and manage my pacing better allowed me to cover more ground during the exam without sacrificing accuracy. This was crucial during my actual GMAT, where I applied these timing strategies to maximize my performance across all sections.

Taking Quant to Q87!!
Quant section of the GMAT was where I had a relatively strong foundation, but I was determined not to take it for granted. My initial scores hovered around Q84, which was promising, but I knew consistent refinement was necessary to ensure a top-percentile finish. This is where e-GMAT's strategic resources, particularly the P.A.C.E. engine and the concept of the cementing stage, played a critical role.
Utilizing the P.A.C.E. Engine:=11.0pt The P.A.C.E. engine, an integral part of the e-GMAT platform, helped tailor my study plan based on my performance on Diagnostic quizzes and pacing. This adaptive learning tool focused on areas where I needed the most improvement, ensuring that I spent my study time efficiently.
Importance of the Cementing Stage:=11.0pt The cementing stage was pivotal in my quant preparation. It involved intensive practice that helped solidify my understanding and application of concepts. Through this stage, I engaged with a variety of questions that simulated the range and complexity of the GMAT. This practice was crucial not just for reinforcing my knowledge but also for identifying subtle traps and common pitfalls in hard questions.
This methodical approach decreased my error rate and increased my speed, both of which were crucial during the actual test.

Test Day and Final Thoughts
On the test day, I felt prepared and calm. I chose to tackle Quant first, followed by Verbal and DI, based on the strategy we had honed during my preparation. This order played to my strengths and kept my confidence high throughout the exam.
Finally, scoring a 705 was a thrilling moment, filled with immense pride and overwhelming joy! It was a testament to the months of hard work, the effective strategies learned through e-GMAT, and the constant support from my mentor Abha
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