660 - Q48,V33 - Disappointed but not defeated.

I first started preparing for the test in January. However, due to financial reasons,I could not schedule my test date until much later. I started my study by joining JAMBOREE , which is a local institute. The Quant classes were good, and gave me a strong understanding of basics. However, their practice tests would never provide any insights as to the level of questions i'm unable to answer or the topics i'm unable to cover or my percentile. That's when i stopped using them completely. It was just practice and practice without understanding what to do next to improve the score(or my current score)-This course was for around two Months.

Later, I had super intense three/four months (problems with family forcing marriage down my neck.) This period was very traumatic;However, this period also this inspired me to get my score right, and eventually get out of this place.

I scheduled my exam for August-10-2017. I finished the MGMAT Quant books completely, with focused attention and practiced relevant problems from OG 2017. I was under a false assumption that verbal was my strong point. I was scoring around V29 in my GMAT prep mocks, and yet somehow felt my verbal was good enough. I went for a vacation for a week after this -and this was probably the biggest mistake on my GMAT journey. I took MGMAT mock on Aug 1st-2017, and scored a 590 (Q44,V28). It is an understatement to say that I was disappointed. I immediately rescheduled my test to AUG 31st , called in sick to my work and sat down to study EVERYTHING all over again. I started from my basics and I should credit this routine for my score.

BOOKS I FOLLOWED:
MGMAT Quant
MGMAT Verbal
OG 17
OG 18 Verbal Review

I practiced and analysed , and went over my error log very often. I left out the topic of probability.

I used GMATCLUB rigorously to understand my mistakes, and to understand what the GMAT considers right in case of verbal and maintained a notebook about these. I'd revise them every single time before giving a mock. I used the GMAT CLUB timer, and tried to understand on a basic level every problem i could not solve. I'm a lurker here but i'm immensely thankful to the forum, and it's contributors. I could not have learned half of what I did, without GMATCLUB.

I gave my first mock- GMAT Prep 3 on AUG 16. Scored 690 - Q49 V35. This was probably my peak. I saw my verbal improved , and if i could at least maintain a score of 47 on quant , and work more on enhancing my verbal, i'd be good.

Following this i took two retests, and scored 710 and 700 with Quant averaging at 48 and 47, and verbal at 38 for both.

I mentally revised my topics and also used to write down topic wise principles and formulas on a piece of paper in the morning purely from memory. This kept the topics alive (acc to me)

Before the test , I took a GMAT Prep 3 second attempt and scored a 700. I tried to look up a set i could do on the test day , to keep my brain working but could not. So, i prepared small bits of questions for the test day, which could help me revise the topics in quant. My test was scheduled for 5PM. I am normally a morning person but the availability of the slot on that date drove me to pick this slot. I had to memorise anything i could remember, write it down , to keep the memory alive.

I reached there an hour early. I had a good breakfast and a good lunch. My boyfriend picked me up and we went to the centre together. I felt very relaxed because of his support and encouragement. I started my test around 5PM, and chose the V,Q,IR,AWA module. I started off with my verbal, and had an RC in the first ten questions, and thought it went well. The 11th question was a super tough RC about meteor shower and how earth was affected by it, I could not understand few terminologies and thought I screwed up the four questions that were based on it. This RC actually cost me some time and i hurried up in between to regain my lost time.

Took the break-Water-two snickers bars (small) - water - loo, face wash.

Quant started off easy and I solved them easily. i did not feel any difficulty in the problems. Thankfully, I did not face any complex probability or P&C questions. I remember there was a question similar to what's 1+1/2 and I thought My quant was taking a hit too! However, never lost concentration or wavered for a second.

Took the break - repeat the same break schedule above.

IR- don't remember anything.

AWA- I really wanted to see my score and might have hurried a bit on this part. I was hoping to get a 710, but saw a 660 with Q48,V33. I was disappointed but I felt that I could hit a 710 or even more, if i could improve my verbal. I'll take the re-take soon.