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!

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

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mrsmarthi

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31 Oct 2009, 17:19

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Wow....Jivana.....a wonderful mock score to be seen just couple of hours before the real deal.........Enough of preparation. Take rest and get ready for the real deal....Will be waiting to see the debrief on Monday.

tejal777

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31 Oct 2009, 20:10

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All the best girl!Rooting for you...do very very well..
HIT THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK!!

Jivana

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31 Oct 2009, 21:20

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Thanks MrsMarthi,

I just hope I didn't waste my best shot today. Hopefully, the best is yet to come. I sure hope so.

Tejal, Thanks!

Just FYI, I'm a guy.

On aside note, I really admire the way Sehwag plays (cricket,) with a cool head, no stress, no past hangovers. Even if he gets out on a duck, five times in a row, he will still hit the same shot 6th time around if its there to be hit. I hope I can 'play' with the same mindset.

Let's see, I just need to keep it together for the next 2 day - stay in the zone, and relax.

tejal777

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31 Oct 2009, 22:20

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...oops!!sorry abt that!!And here I thought we formed a cool gal-gang with Mrsmarthi!!:)

All the best DUDE!Did'nt know you are an INDIAN guy...the love for cricket goes hand in hand I guess..

snipertrader

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01 Nov 2009, 07:14

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Good luck....waiting for a detailed debrief

Jivana

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01 Nov 2009, 21:10

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Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

Jivana

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01 Nov 2009, 21:18

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I am feeling a little freaked out, not sure why? Maybe because I might bomb tomorrow, maybe because I took my best shot yesterday, and can't repeat it tomorrow.

Don't know if the GMAT journey ends tomorrow or makes a brief pause.......why oh why? all these self doubts are creeping in...I am supposed to go in and kick a$$, but why am I freaking out!

mrsmarthi

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01 Nov 2009, 22:30

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Relax....it's going to be just fine. May be "THE BEST SHOT" is waiting for you tomorrow(11/2/09).

Good luck my friend.

tejal777

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01 Nov 2009, 23:00

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You can do it buddy...go for it..just do the best you can..

In case you are not happy with your score later..jus lemme know we'll go beat up the test makers

;):):)he he he..
Shhhh 8-)

All the very best:)

Jivana

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02 Nov 2009, 14:55

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It's over folks, not a happy ending, but over, I think.

GMAT (Official test:) 690 (Q47, V38.)

Once it sinks in, I will think about posting a debrief.

mrsmarthi

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02 Nov 2009, 15:09

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Wow....didn't exepect that I can see the result so soon........

I am glad that you are done with the GMAT. That is the biggest achievement.

690 is definitely NOT a bad score. You are completely on par with your Prep scores on Verbal side. But what happened to your Quant 47 :roll:

Is the real score that you posted or your Preparation score. Just confirming. If this is the real one....there is nothing that we can do except that we(future test takers should be little cautious).

Now Chill out....You can atleast take some breathe. Do post your debrief once you are settled down. Will be waiting for your debrief.

snipertrader

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02 Nov 2009, 18:49

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Not a bad score, just focus on your apps.

Jivana

It's over folks, not a happy ending, but over, I think.

GMAT (Official test:) 690 (Q47, V38.)

Once it sinks in, I will think about posting a debrief.

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02 Nov 2009, 19:01

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Great buddy. Congrats

BTW what were the difficulties in Quant section? Any new topics tested?

Jivana

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02 Nov 2009, 19:01

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Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

I actually wish if the score had to be below 700, it might as well have been under 650, that way I know I have no decent shot at Top 5. With 690, I'm between a rock and a hard place. Also, if the verbal had been lower it might have been easier to accept it. The irony is that my verbal is above the 80 percentile, whereas Quant, which has been always my strength, is right below the 80 marker.

I do have a solid GPA in Engineering, excellent work experience, and some extra-curricular stuff. I don't know right now, if I should accept what I have and move on to the apps, or say screw the apps this year and go after GMAT, one last time, with a vengeance.

mrsmarthi

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02 Nov 2009, 19:43

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If I were you, then I would definitely go with Apps........690 is definitely NOT that bad a score at all......If I cannot land in the school that I am targetting for, then I may go for another attempt probably next year and get ready for R1 2010.

But, There are ample chances for you to get into your target school with 690 and even the score is also pretty much balanced. If the rest of the variables are goodIwhich you already said they are), then go for the apps....Dont wast your time and energy on one more attempt.

Jivana

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02 Nov 2009, 20:53

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Original post updated with debrief.

mrsmarthi

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02 Nov 2009, 23:46

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Jivana,

Looks like the LUCK factor didn't favor you in Quant.....But on a positve side, verbal is way too good and I guess, as you rightly said, your notion that you were doing Quant pretty good might have boosted your confidence to attack verbal section.

Good luck with your apps.

tejal777

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03 Nov 2009, 02:02

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Congratulations buddy!
I know you are not too happy about the quant score ..frankly I am a bit worried if a pro like you messed up in quant,then for mere mortals like me for whom Quant is a losing battle..there is no chance

690 is a VERY GOOD score..do let us know which univ's you planning to apply!!

Jivana

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04 Nov 2009, 07:56

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Don't worry Tejal, you will be fine just keep working hard. And thanks, but I'm no pro. I got caught right on the boundary line.

Anyways, I'm done with GMAT. After some self-introspection in the last couple of days, I realized that if this score, with everything else constant, does not get me into my top choice then even a score 30-40 north of this wouldn't make a difference.

I made my peace, it is time to move on.

School wise, I am still trying to sort out which ones I go in R2, and in R3, if any...I will update you guys as I make some progress with the apps...

snipertrader

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04 Nov 2009, 08:01

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Thats a good way to think about it. Your GMAT score will be in the 80% range for most schools if not all.

I am not a B school app expert but try to get in all your apps within R2.

Goodluck with your apps!

Cheers

Jivana

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