GMAT: 690 (Q47, V38.) Ok, folks. As you can see from the title, the score is nothing extra-ordinary. It is, what it is, and I am veering towards accepting it and moving on. I have learned a lot from this community, and if my experience can help in any way it will be an honor. So without further ado, here's my 2 cents, or as some may say, here's my debrief: Materials used: OG 10, Manhattan SC, CR & RC, Mcgraw Hill Verbal review (initial reading, not used in the last month or two.) Test Day: I was a little nervous about the test yesterday, but had a good night's sleep, woke up fine, feeling refreshed - ready to take on the GMAT beast. I was early to the Test Center, so started half an hour early. AWA Argument essay: Nothing out of the left field. Followed this simple template: Summarize the argument, say it is BS, and I'm going to lay it out, why it is so. First......1 nail down, 2 to go. Second.....one more down. Finally....walla....last nail in the coffin. Conclusion: Summarize everything I argued against, and say why the given argument still smells like BS. Issue: Again, nothing out of the left field. Similar structure as the above, but this time with examples of why my side of the issue holds more weight.... Took my break, lots of caffeine...came back feeling good. Ready to get on with the quant... Quant: Some geometric series problem came up first up, threw me off a little bit...but got it right...problems started getting tougher, putting a smile on my face. Then after a nice ride till the 15-16 problems came a barrage of some nasty stuff: inequalities, overlapping sets, probability, probability with combination, permutation, and some more really nasty geometry stuff.. I thought I handled it pretty well, since till the end I was getting these tough cookies. But apparently, not. Took this break as well, feeling good that I handled Quant pretty well. So went in with a lot of confidence for verbal (Looking back I'm glad I didn't know what my Quant score was, otherwise verbal would have been in the tens.) Verbal: Four RC passages, all different kinds, business, pol science, history, and one more that I can't remember. SC was getting relatively easier towards the end, making me nervous that I'm really screwing this up. CR was pretty decent, nothing too exciting, I had two or three bold-faces though, since it's considered tough, felt good about it. Half way through the section, my brain was cooked...wasn't sure if I can see it through all the way. Here's a breakdown of my practice scores: 08/22/9 -- GMATPrep 1 : 650 (Q47, V33) 09/05/9 -- Kaplan CAT 1: 600 (Q48, V29) 10/12/9 -- GMATPrep 1 (retake): 700 (Q50, V34) 10/17/9 -- MGMAT 1: 630 (Q43, V33) 10/20/9 -- MGMAT 2: 680 (Q51, V33) 10/24/9 -- MGMAT 3: 690 (Q48, V36) 10/27/9 -- MGMAT 4: 710 (Q48, V38) 10/29/9 -- GMATPrep 2 : 700 (Q47, V39) 10/31/9 -- GMATPrep 2 (retake): 740 (Q50, V39) My comments / suggestions: For folks who can take away a solid month or so from their commintments, you are lucky to get that opportunity, please use it very very wisely. Go after GMAT with a vengeance, as if there's no tomorrow. For those who's workload takes away a lot of their personal time, plan to see ups and downs in your GMAT preparation. Do not let this bother you, but be mentally prepare for that. You should be able to switch on and off, on the go. It's tough, and sometimes can be borderline unacceptable, but it is what it is....accept it and use your time wisely. Strategy for the test: First, do not get into strategy business untill who have mastered or at least reached a comfortable level with the basics. Trying to figure out tips and tricks, while you are trying to get your base strong is a death trap. Avoid it. When you start out, if you are in the 400-600 range and shooting for 700+, get your base solid first. Try to get as many right as you can by solving each and every problem, do not get into process of elimination just yet. Again, once you master the basics, then get into startegy and stuff. Towards the end of your preparation, stay as close to OGs and GMATPrep CATs. I think, IMVVHO, that none of the test prep companies can appropriately emulate the actual GMAT material, hence their CAT material is bound to be skewed. However, a lot of the material in Kaplan & MGMAT Is great for learning, but not appropriate for judging where your 'score' is. What else? Yes, please feel free to ask any questions you have. And, good luck with your preps! ===================================================================== The GMAT journey - From 600+ to ??? -- Initial post -- Mon Aug 17, 2009 I wonder what those 3 question marks will be? I guess that's something only I can find out. As they say, we will see! I will be using this thread to keep track of my progress. Just to put things in the right context, I took the GMAT in '05 and scored a 600+, a 610 or 620, can't remember the specifics of either the Quant section or the verbal, and neither for the AWA. So far I have been working on the old ETS paper tests, just finished all of them today, and here's the score lists: TC 14 : 610 (Q46, V34) TC 25 : 700 (Q??, V??) {Do not remember the specifics, but should be very close to TC 28 & 37.} TC 28 : 700 (Q50, V40) TC 31 : 660 (Q48, V36) TC 37 : 700 (Q49, V39) TC 42 : 670 (Q49, V34) TC 48 : 630 (Q50, V27) TC 52 : 720 (Q49, V43) TC 55 : 740 (Q49, V45) Based on this scores I have realized the following points: Verbal: Scope of improvement is much higher in the verbal section, specifically in SC, CR (in that order.) RC needs continuous practice, but not much room there. In the last test (55,) IIRC didn't miss a single item in RC, missed 2 in CR, and 5 in SC. Quant: Still a little rusty when it comes to the Prob / Comb / Perm problems. So need more practice with this. Plan for the next couple of weeks: Read the CR bible, Manhattan's SC guide. Please feel free to share any comments or advice you might have for me. Thanks!

MGMAT#3: 690 (Q48, V36) Quant Right / Wrong PS: 13/9 DS: 9/6 Verbal CR: 12/2 RC: 5/7 SC: 7/8 Comments: A small dip in Quant compared to the last test Improved CR! No change in RC! SC sucks!

MGMAT#4: 710 (Q48, V38) Quant Right / Wrong PS: 14/8 DS: 9/6 Verbal CR: 6/8 RC: 8/4 SC: 12/3 Comments: My first 700+ on a CAT. Huge dip in CR from the last MGMAT. Little improvement in RC & SC! Started off verbal slow. Used up almost 22 mins, by the time I was done with only 10 problems. However, I ended the test 7/8 mins early. The dip in CR was a speeding ticket, I guess.

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600 to 690 (Q47, V38) - The end of the GMAT journey!!!

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Jivana

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24 Oct 2009, 14:46

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MGMAT#3: 690 (Q48, V36)

Quant Right / Wrong

PS: 13/9
DS: 9/6

Verbal

CR: 12/2
RC: 5/7
SC: 7/8

Comments:

A small dip in Quant compared to the last test
Improved CR!
No change in RC!
SC sucks!

Jivana

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26 Oct 2009, 14:05

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Finished reading the MGMAT Equations, Inequalities, & VIC's book, did the PS Challenge Short set, and most of the Full problem set from OG11.

1 miss out of 40 PS or so.

Brain's cooked, but need to hit DS soon.

Added later: Did the Challenge short set for DS: 5/9. Missed 4! :shock:

Jivana

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26 Oct 2009, 19:34

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Finished re-reading the GMC & S-V chapters from the MGMAT SC guide, did the problems from OG12:

GMC: 7/10
S-V: 10/11

Now, I need a break.

Folks, I have only a few days left. So, please feel free to share your thoughts / comments on my progress. Thanks!

mrsmarthi

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26 Oct 2009, 20:29

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I see that you are very confident on Quant. If that is the case, do not concentrate too much of your energy solving Quant questions. Probably you can pick some topics from these forums - Say GMATPREp + number properties and solve around 10 questions. (WIth the tagging feature, it is easy to search the specific category questions based on the tags. Really very handy. I appreciate the forum moderators for introducing this tagging facility). SOlving OG PS questions is waste since they are definitely NOT above 48 / 49 score. So other than satisfaction that you did PS from OG, nothing more will you gain solving Quant from OG that too at this crucial period. And I believe you are well above that limit.

If I were you, I would rather go thru the SC questions - all the mistakes that I made during my earlier attempt and see how I am doing now...Did I know what mistake I did and how to attack similar problem. Same I think I will be doing for CR & RC.

Good Luck.....

Jivana

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Updated on: 27 Oct 2009, 19:11

Originally posted by Jivana on 27 Oct 2009, 15:30.
Last edited by Jivana on 27 Oct 2009, 19:11, edited 1 time in total.

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MGMAT#4: 710 (Q48, V38)

Quant Right / Wrong

PS: 14/8
DS: 9/6

Verbal

CR: 6/8
RC: 8/4
SC: 12/3

Comments:

My first 700+ on a CAT.
Huge dip in CR from the last MGMAT.
Little improvement in RC & SC!
Started off verbal slow. Used up almost 22 mins, by the time I was done with only 10 problems. However, I ended the test 7/8 mins early. The dip in CR was a speeding ticket, I guess.

mrsmarthi

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27 Oct 2009, 18:36

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Wow.....This really is an encouraging factor to have just couple of days before the D-Day.....Are you planning to take any more CAT?

Your SC is improved a lot from your previous score. RC is also NOT bad at all.......Good going overall..... :beer

Jivana

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27 Oct 2009, 19:05

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Thanks Mrsmarthi,

Yeah, I really wanted to see a 700+ score on one of these CATs. It really boosts your confidence.

Planning to do the GMATPrep#2 two days from now, and possibly one more MGMAT before the GMATPrep 2 repeat on Sunday!

I hope I haven't peaked yet, god willing...the best is yet to come!

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27 Oct 2009, 19:43

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Congratulations on the 700 score!!My D-day's on the 9th and I still have' nt seen the magical number

Moreover instead of being charged up and raring to go I hardly feel like studing

All the best!!!! Do very very well:):)

Jivana

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27 Oct 2009, 20:17

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Tejal, Thanks for the wishes.

I understand what you mean by not feeling charged up. What I will suggest is set up your own little battles, small targets, and take your best shot - success will breed success.

Jivana

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29 Oct 2009, 16:10

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GMATPrep 2 (1st attempt): 700 (Q47, V39)

PS: 4 misses
DS: 8 misses

SC: 4 misses
CR: 3 misses
RC: 2 misses

Thoughts:

Quant: My timing is pretty good, so took it easy during this section, but paid the price at the end, when I was crammed for room. The last 2 or 3 were random guesses. Overall, GMATPrep is much easier than what I have seen on MGMAT.

Verbal: Went very good, overall. I felt that the level of the problems I got was definitely a bit tougher than the ones I have seen on the GMATPrep 1.

Summary:

A 5-point improvement in verbal, compared to the GMATPrep 1 retake, but a 3-point drop in quant.
DS is definitely a concern now.
Happy at the Verbal improvement, but disappointed at Quant.

Comments, advice, suggestions, strategies -- All welcome!

mrsmarthi

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Updated on: 29 Oct 2009, 21:04

Originally posted by mrsmarthi on 29 Oct 2009, 16:59.
Last edited by mrsmarthi on 29 Oct 2009, 21:04, edited 1 time in total.

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I am happy with your verbal - almost close to what you are targeting at. But didn't expect quant at 47 when you were almost consistently hitting 50 / 51 in MGMAT which is much harder than GMAT. I strongly feel this score is little below your expectation. Yep.....Looks like you made a lot of silly mistakes in DS. Otherwise GMAT Quant is NOT that hard rather it is very very tricky.

Yep I too feel that GMATPrep 2 is little harder than GMATPrep 1. BTW, did you see any repeats or known questions that you already solved outside the exam? I hope NOT.

Overall the score should boost your confidence for you to take the real GMAT. But make sure you don't take Quant on a lighter side in the real one.

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29 Oct 2009, 20:48

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Thanks Mrsmarthi, The verbal score was very pleasing to the eye. But the disappointment soon crept in, once I looked at the quant score. However, there is still room for improvement in verbal.

I'm reviewing the misses right now, and it seems on a lot of the DS problem, I went by my gut feeling instead of actually working out the math. I started the math, checking the data points, but somewhere in the middle I realized that I got enough and know the answer, my hunch is right, so picked the answer and went to the next. This is a very bad habit I had when I started out; I got over it, but seems like in the last few days I had relaxed on a bit too much with all my focus on verbal at the moment. It seems that Quant is trying to remind me who's the Boss, and that I must pay attention to 'it' sometimes as well. :-D

For PS, 3 were genuine misses, and 1 was a mis-read. To my surprise, I even got the probability / combinatorics problem right, which I have always considered to be my biggest weakness in quant.

I'm discouraged, a bit, but surely not down. Come Monday, it's gonna be a glorious battle, one worth remembering.

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29 Oct 2009, 21:34

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Wow....I really see the confidence in your preparation. I wish you carry the same confidence till you come out of the exam hall........ :gl

How about solving one last DS question - You can do this after you complete the actual GMAT

Quote:

In "The GMAT journey - From 600+ to ???" where '???' is '7*0' and 1<=*<=9. Is * > 2?

A) * is a prime number.
B) Recursive Sum of the digits until the sum leads to a single digit in '7*0' is <= 7.

Caution: DO NOT attempt to solve this DS as a practice. :wink:

Jivana

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30 Oct 2009, 10:50

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lol Mrsmarthi!!

I guess this is what GMAT prep does to you, start seeing primes, integers, fractions, negatives in a DS setting.

BTW. I will give it a try after the real thing is over..

mrsmarthi

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30 Oct 2009, 11:21

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When are you planning to take another CAT? And which one are you planning to take GMAT Prep / MGMAT CAT? What ever it is, try taking the CAT with AWA as many suggest - this might give a bit of warmup before your actual deal......

BTW, do you feel whether the RC passages in MGMAT are comparable to GMATPrep? I don't feel so. They look little hard and also very difficult to bring down the contenders for the ans.

Why was the quant so less in your GMATPrep...i was completely bit shocked to see a 47. Hey.....if you think you have time and would like to practice some Quant questions, take up GMATClub tests. The questions are not on par with GMATPrep questions but definitely they do test the minute things which GMAT normally tries to trick us.

I completed around 4 tests, and started realizing why most of the forum members, who ever gave the tests, give a very positive feedback.

Jivana

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30 Oct 2009, 12:34

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I'm gonna do the GMATPrep#2 repeat tomorrow with the AWA. No more MGMATs, I think towards the end of one's preparation it's best to stay as close to the original material as possible. Since neither MGMAT nor Kaplan can truly emulate GMAT material there will be bound to be certain discrepancies.

Most of my misses in Quant on the test yesterday were silly errors, something I think I can avoid over the next few days. I know that my main focus was on verbal, and hence the slacking off in quant.

I did take 7/8 GMATclub tests, they are pretty tough but I found the wording / language very different than GMAT's hence do not plan on doing any more in the last 2-3 days I have left.

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31 Oct 2009, 04:01

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Good luck jivana....hope you hit it out of the park too!

Jivana

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31 Oct 2009, 09:29

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Jivana

I think you are almost there.
It is known that MGMAT's scoring is not accurate.
Maybe you are ready for the real test!

Jivana

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31 Oct 2009, 16:21

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Thanks Snipertrader! I really hope so. If not a grand slam, at least a home run! :-D

Diogoguitarrista, ready or not, it's on!

In less than 48 hrs, it will be over....hopefully, with acceptable results.

Jivana

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31 Oct 2009, 16:35

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GMATPrep 2 (2nd & final attempt): 740 (Q50, V39)

PS: 2 misses
DS: 2 misses

SC: 5 misses
CR: 3 misses
RC: 2 misses

Thoughts:

AWA: Went well, unfortunately couldn't copy the essays. Not sure if there is any way to copy any text out of GMATPprep in any way? Either way, it's too late now, and I do not really care.

Quant: There were about 4/5 repeats, I selected one wrong intentionally to negate any advantage I had by getting repeats. My timing is pretty good with quant, so took it easy during this section. However, I was already feeling the stress of going through it all, with verbal still to come. Spend more time on DS this time, trying to avoid my bad habit of going by the 'gut feeling'. Decent results, but still two misses in each.

Verbal: Went well. Just as the quant section, there were 4/5 repeats here as well. So selected one SC & one RC wrong. Towards the end, I can feel that my brain was on the verge of getting fried. I would read something, and nothing would register. I would have to take my eyes of the screen just to relax for a few secs. Repeated this process at least 4-5 times.

Summary:

No improvement in verbal, compared to the GMATPrep 2 - 1st attempt.
However, If I can get this overall score on the real thing, I will consider this journey to be over, for once and for all.
Clocks ticking, less than 48 hrs left.

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