Hi,
I took my GMAT today and scored a 690 (Q:48, v: 36). Though i m not extremely happy with the score, i am contended with what i got.
My experience started with a score of 540 one year back. This attempt was horrible as i was not completely prepared for the exam and my practice tests score was hovering around 600's. I just went ahead with the exam to test my luck.
In my second experience i scored a 660 (Q:47, V:34). I consistently prepared for 4 months, 2-3 hrs per day. I came up with a plan and set milestones every week on each topic. I could clearly see that i was improving my knowledge on the content and getting used to GMAT. I took the
MGMAT tests and was scoring consistently in the 680's and was happy with that. However, i was not good in timing the tests and thought of getting some more practice.
I browsed GMATClub and read the reviews about
GMATClub tests. These tests are just awesome for practice. I was scoring consistently in the 45-47 but this tests helped me move to 49 - 50 in my practice tests.
I took my GMAT practice tests and scored a 720 and 700. I was confident about scoring a 700 but i was always nervous during the tests. I used to panic a lot and test anxiety was always in me.
I took the real GMAT in dec-2011 and scored 660 (Q:47, v:34). I was shocked to see my quant score and was pissed off. I was down for a week and was not sure about taking it one more time. During this period i had pretty horrible experience in my personal life as well and was not thinking about GMAT for some time.
In Feb-2011, i started planning for my 3rd attempt. But my practice tests score was way low. I started realizing that i wanted GMAT as bad as anything. I was nervous, afraid, etc during these exams. I booked my GMAT in march and did not attempt it because of my anxiety.
Atlast, i was sure that i was good in my content but the exam stress was taking a toll on me. I quit practicing and thinking about the exam for few months. I decided to book my exam last monday and took couple of gmat practice tests. I scored 690 consistently in both these tests and today my score was exactly the same. However, i am pissed off with my quant score because i did not answer the last question. The exam timed out, the moment i tried clicking the answer. I was frustrated like hell and was kicking the ground out of frustration.
In the break, i just told myself, "Calm down, You have got one more session to come good and just kick it". I somehow managed to stay calm and was not nervy at all. i took my break and went in with a calm mind. (Yes, calmness plays a major part in your score). I answered each question to its merit and guessed the complex SC's.
i completed my verbal with 5 mins to spare and submitted. i was expecting a 650 but was happy to see a 690.
Few points that would help fellow test takers:
1. Have bull dog like persistence. If you failed couple of times but you think you are good then you are right. YOU are good. Just persist with your goal.
2. Do not think about the exam always. I used to think about it at work, at lunch, during prep and always. This will never help. Just stay calm and take as much time away from GMAT as possible. 2 hours of prep is good enough per day and don't think a damn about GMAT after your prep is over for the day. Yes, taking time out helps you calm down and avoids nerves.
3. Do not hang on with your practice tests. They are just for practice and i can say with confidence that none of the verbal practice tests are closer to the real GMAT. The CR's, SC's an even RC questions are different in the real GMAT than the one you see in the practice tests. I found this in the last week of my exam and practiced the last 30-40 questions of the
OG and the verbal review. This really helped me to increase 2 points in my verbal score. My verbal score was always 34, but my real score was 36. I got 4 (13Q's) RC passages, about 10-11 CRs and rest were SC's.
4. Most important. DO not think GMAT as your end of the world or the one test that you have to perform. This always adds to your nerves and puts additional pressure to perform. You have to stay calm and composed. Let go few questions and time them well. Today, i got 5 questions in geometry and guessed two of them (after spending some time :@). I felt that i should have just moved on without thinking about those questions. This would have helped me to answer my last questions and may be would have got a 50 or 49 in quant.
Good luck folks. Sorry if i was boring.
-Mahesh