Just finished my GMAT. Got 700 (M 48, V 38). Second time taking it. Thought I would do better, but happy with the score. I took my first test last May. The math last time was significantly harder. The math in today's test was in par with the
OG. Verbal was a little bit harder I thought. The test:
Math:
One probability and one comination. Very easy, a lot easier than the ones I got last time. Problems were pretty easy overall, none that gave me a lot of trouble, except for some that took a while to solve (backsolve). Took my time doing each question. Finished with like 1 min left. IMPORTANT: Try to get as many right as possible during the first 10 questions.
Verbal:
First couple were SC, then RC. Think I got 4 passages total. They were pretty standard and not very hard to follow. The questions were not obscure as some in the
OG, so overall it was pretty easy. A lot of SC, more than any CR. There were a few SC that gave me some trouble. Probably harder than the ones in the
OG. I would study the hardest SC
OG problems to get a good grasp of the things they test. IMPORTANT: Try to get as many right as possible during the first 10 questions.
Preparation:
After my 600 score last May, I took a break. I knew I could do better since I was scoring in the upper 600 and low 700 in my practice tests my first time. Started studying again in January. I work around 80 to 100 hours a week, so I had to study every free moment I had. Studied at work, after work, and weekends when I had time. Materials used:
- PR
- Kaplan
-
OG
- GMAT Club
Started studying using PR and Kaplan to get the basics. Then went on doing every problem in the
OG. After my first test, where I encountered hard math problems, I decided to study harder problems than those found on the
OG. I started studying from the GMAT Challenge questions and from Kaplan 800. If you want to be prepared for the hardest math problems, I suggest purchasing the GChallenge 2.0 and Kaplan 800. Verbal in Kaplan 800 is also pretty good. The problems are harder than any of the ones you will find in the GMAT. If you have problems with probability and combinatorics, all you need to do is go over a high school/college combinatorics book. I studied that and it helped a lot. The questions posted on GMATCLUB are actually a lot harder and can confuse you sometimes. So stick to basics. Again,
OG is a must. Keep an
error log to see where your weakest areas are.
I took a practice test every weekend when I could. The results are as follows:
PP1: 740
PR1: 740
PR2: 670
PR3: 720
PR4: 700
KP1: 580
KP2: 640
KP3: 680
KP4: 680
PP2: 800
I had a pretty rough week at work last week (week before test). I pulled an all nighter Monday, and pretty much did not get a chance to look at any GMAT materials before Friday. Took Friday and the weekend off. Studied intensely on Friday and Saturday. Sunday took PP2 just to get my confidence up. Went to watch a movie, reviewed for about half an hour and tried to go to bed. Didn't fall asleep til like 3 or 4 AM. Test at 9:30.
My advice for those struggling is to study as much as you can and practice, practice, practice. It is important that you practice from good materials and not just any book out there. I think that was my mistake the first time. I ended up practicing so much the first time that I got confused and ultimately burnt myself out. It is very important to stay focused and keep your perspective. Don't loose sight of the goal. As you practice more, the questions/answers will have a natural appeal to them, and you will be able to recognize most of the traps . Again, practice and patience were how I improved the score. Good luck to everyone.