Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 1612:00 PM EDT
-11:59 PM EDT
You’re first to know: Save $200 on GMAT prep starting tomorrow, 4/13. Get 6 official practice tests and study with real questions. Be ready to save!
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
ondraled
Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Last visit: 24 Jan 2013
Posts: 41
Given Kudos: 12
Status:So damn happy!
Location: Czech Republic
Concentration: Marketing, Leadership
Schools: Wharton '14 (D) Stern '14 (A) CBS '14 (D) McCombs '14 (D) Ross '14 (A$) Kellogg '14 (D) Goizueta '14 (D)
GMAT 1: 690 Q46 V40
GMAT 2: 730 Q47 V42
GPA: 3.03
WE:Marketing (Real Estate)
Schools: Wharton '14 (D) Stern '14 (A) CBS '14 (D) McCombs '14 (D) Ross '14 (A$) Kellogg '14 (D) Goizueta '14 (D)
GMAT 2: 730 Q47 V42
Posts: 41
I decided to take some time and share my GMAT experience with you, my fellow GMATclubbers (and honestly, writing the debrief is a good excuse for opening a bottle of vintage wine and forgetting about the applications for tonight 
). I am not exactly excited about my score but I guess it could have been worse... So, how did my GMAT journey go? For those with less time, I will start with a short breakdown, followed by a more narrative story of the journey.
Final result: 690 (Q46, V40)
Prep tests:
GMAT Prep 1 - 700
MGMAT 1 - 700
MGMAT 2 - 650 (took the exam at work and kept being distracted, didn't finish quant on time, not a very valid test)
MGMAT 3 - 720
MGMAT 4 - 700
MGMAT 5 - 700
GMAT Prep 2 - 720
GMAT Prep 3 - 730
GMAT Prep 4 - 750 (not much overlap)
The prep tests were around Q41-46 and V40-47, improving over time, more significantly on the GMAT Prep.
Prepared for roughly 2-8 hours a day, roughly 2.5 months.
Materials used:
OG12, Verbal 2nd edition, Quant 2nd edition, all MGMAT books, gmatclub.com, MGMAT flashcards for the iPhone, Allen GMAT Math for the iPhone. I strongly suggest reading the MGMAT books, especially all quant for those weaker in quant. MGMAT SC is imo great and will help your Verbal score. CR and RC are not worth the money and time unless you have plenty of both. Having the flashcards on the iPhone worked well for me - you can always go through them at a family lunch or something and feel good about yourself.
The real test:
Seemed a bit harder than the GMAT Prep, encountered some strange Verbal questions. Test center only allowed 1 notebook at a time, although the Pearson-VUE materials said I would be given 5. Didn't need to replace them at other times than at breaks anyway.
Words of advice:
[*]Take the exam seriously.
[*]Buy the books, buy the tests (if you aim for a high Quant score, you probably should buy the Gmatclub tests or get enough posts to unlock them - will definitely do so if I decide to retake). You want to study a B-school which will cost an incredible amount of money, so you probably can afford those Gmatclub tests as well, right?
[*] Use an error log.
[*]If you go with the MGMAT resources, definitely use the OGC they provide now. https://www.manhattangmat.com/ogc.cfm
[*]Take the first GMAT Prep test before you start the studying. It will give you a better understanding of your progress and where you were at the beginning.
[*]Get used to the stress generated by the exam. Simulate the conditions of the exam when doing the prep tests. This should include at least taking the exam at daytime of the real test, writing the AWA whenever possible, taking appropriate breaks etc.
[*]Understand the format of the GMAT, including the way the score is constructed (e.g. when pressed for time, take a guess on every other question etc.)
[*]Prepare well enough and only consider the real test a way to show how well you have prepared. Someone on the forums compared to running a victory lap, which I think is a great metaphor.
[*]Bring earplugs to the test and do not hesitate to use them. You do NOT want to listen to the guy next to you sighing at every question he reads.
Good luck with your GMAT or applications!
Narrative story follows:
So I ended up with a 690 (Q46, V40) - waiting for the AWA which imo went well, will update.
I started my GMAT preparation about 3 months ago. With absolutely no experience with a B-school application and not familiar with the GMAT or any other CAT, I was quite lost. I had no idea where I stand compared to all the other applicants and no idea if I could be accepted to a top-20 B-school or if it is even worth a shot... So I bought the OG12 and both Verbal and Quant 2nd edition, hoping that these books would provide me with enough study material. I also registered at the MBA.com and read some stories which said that people sometimes spend up to three months preparing for the test. Found that hard to believe back then...
I went through the OG12 Math and Verbal content review which seemed to cover pretty simple topics. I thought that the test is going to be a piece of cake and started the OG questions. Soon I realized that while the topics are simple, their wording and ever-present time pressure make them pretty difficult most of the time. I was never particularly good at math and since I have my MSc. degrees in psychology and political science, I haven't really needed math since high school. After a week or two I knew that just answering the OG questions and reading official explanations will not take me anywhere.
So the next step was to search the web - and I came here. I was overwhelmed by the availability of material and advice. In no time, I ordered all the MGMAT books and took my first GMAT Prep. I couldn't believe my eyes - I had a 700 on my first attempt (do not remember my breakdown, didn't know I needed to write the scores down). Of course, I started to believe that a 730+ should be no problem with a couple months of time spent studying. I'll cut it short from here: the next 2.5 months I mostly worked, studied, or studied at work; also started to beat a punching bag 4 times a week not to go completely nuts (I strongly recommend some regular physical activity while studying for the test). I knew I had to get my Quant to a decent level. Verbal seemed to be ok, so I focused on Quant mostly. Started taking 1-2 Prep tests a week, simulating the real conditions as much as possible (writing the essays, allowing for minor distractions, taking them always at the time of my real exam).
Then came the last week in which I unfortunately had some major duties at work so I couldn't study much anymore. But my last GMAT Prep was a great 750, so I felt prepared. I tried to relax a bit, went to Vienna - where my test was scheduled - a day early and chilled out at the hotel with my girlfriend. Went to bed early and was hoping to sleep well and as much as possible. In the morning I went to the test center to make sure I know where it is, ate pizza, relaxed. Everything felt right. Arrived at the test center 45 minutes early but didn't have to wait the whole time. Prepared two bottles of Powerade, some bananas, Redbull shots and fructose tablets to be easily reachable in the breaks. Splashed some water on my face and went to the computer.
AWA's were easy, followed the template available here with some minor customizations of my own. Splashed water on my face during the break, used the toilet, had some Powerade and sugar.
Quant started off with a FDP question which seemed a little harder than I expected, followed by an easy Geometry. Third was already hard and felt like 600-700 or even 700-800. I felt good until about 12-15th question, where I had some really hard questions. Had to guess twice which made me nervous, but I recovered and focused on the rest of Quant alright, just having to guess two last questions due to lack of time to properly draw the needed tables.
During the break I thought I screwed the Quant unnecessarily, but I forbid my mind to let me distract from focusing on the Verbal. Splashed some more water on my face, ate a banana, had some Redbull and Powerade and went back to the computer. Knowing that Verbal is my strength, I focused on the questions and actually only had to make an educated guess only once or twice. RC was pretty easy, CR seemed hard but following the rules outlined in MGMAT CR and in some great reviews here (thanks a lot again!) I could answer every question alright. SC was pretty strange, even had a question where the only difference was in punctuation.
Finished with roughly 2 minutes time, clicked submit, my heart racing... and the screen showed a 690. I was totally crushed. 46 in Quant was slightly better than I expected, but only 40 in Verbal seemed very disappointing. I am still quite sad about the result since I want to try Columbia, NYU, Booth, MIT and Wharton and a 690 isn't exactly the best starting position. Was hoping for a 700+, preferably 720+. Oh well. Now I have to figure out if I should wait a year and retake the GMAT or if I should focus on the applications even harder. Any suggestions are welcome. Will post my profile on the forum tomorrow and I'd appreciate any comments about my position for application to the top 20 schools with a GMAT score of just 690.
UPDATE: https://gmatclub.com/forum/profile-evaluation-three-questions-105854.html
Provided link to my profile evaluation.
). I am not exactly excited about my score but I guess it could have been worse... So, how did my GMAT journey go? For those with less time, I will start with a short breakdown, followed by a more narrative story of the journey.Final result: 690 (Q46, V40)
Prep tests:
GMAT Prep 1 - 700
MGMAT 1 - 700
MGMAT 2 - 650 (took the exam at work and kept being distracted, didn't finish quant on time, not a very valid test)
MGMAT 3 - 720
MGMAT 4 - 700
MGMAT 5 - 700
GMAT Prep 2 - 720
GMAT Prep 3 - 730
GMAT Prep 4 - 750 (not much overlap)
The prep tests were around Q41-46 and V40-47, improving over time, more significantly on the GMAT Prep.
Prepared for roughly 2-8 hours a day, roughly 2.5 months.
Materials used:
OG12, Verbal 2nd edition, Quant 2nd edition, all MGMAT books, gmatclub.com, MGMAT flashcards for the iPhone, Allen GMAT Math for the iPhone. I strongly suggest reading the MGMAT books, especially all quant for those weaker in quant. MGMAT SC is imo great and will help your Verbal score. CR and RC are not worth the money and time unless you have plenty of both. Having the flashcards on the iPhone worked well for me - you can always go through them at a family lunch or something and feel good about yourself.
The real test:
Seemed a bit harder than the GMAT Prep, encountered some strange Verbal questions. Test center only allowed 1 notebook at a time, although the Pearson-VUE materials said I would be given 5. Didn't need to replace them at other times than at breaks anyway.
Words of advice:
[*]Take the exam seriously.
[*]Buy the books, buy the tests (if you aim for a high Quant score, you probably should buy the Gmatclub tests or get enough posts to unlock them - will definitely do so if I decide to retake). You want to study a B-school which will cost an incredible amount of money, so you probably can afford those Gmatclub tests as well, right?
[*] Use an error log.
[*]If you go with the MGMAT resources, definitely use the OGC they provide now. https://www.manhattangmat.com/ogc.cfm
[*]Take the first GMAT Prep test before you start the studying. It will give you a better understanding of your progress and where you were at the beginning.
[*]Get used to the stress generated by the exam. Simulate the conditions of the exam when doing the prep tests. This should include at least taking the exam at daytime of the real test, writing the AWA whenever possible, taking appropriate breaks etc.
[*]Understand the format of the GMAT, including the way the score is constructed (e.g. when pressed for time, take a guess on every other question etc.)
[*]Prepare well enough and only consider the real test a way to show how well you have prepared. Someone on the forums compared to running a victory lap, which I think is a great metaphor.
[*]Bring earplugs to the test and do not hesitate to use them. You do NOT want to listen to the guy next to you sighing at every question he reads.
Good luck with your GMAT or applications!
Narrative story follows:
So I ended up with a 690 (Q46, V40) - waiting for the AWA which imo went well, will update.
I started my GMAT preparation about 3 months ago. With absolutely no experience with a B-school application and not familiar with the GMAT or any other CAT, I was quite lost. I had no idea where I stand compared to all the other applicants and no idea if I could be accepted to a top-20 B-school or if it is even worth a shot... So I bought the OG12 and both Verbal and Quant 2nd edition, hoping that these books would provide me with enough study material. I also registered at the MBA.com and read some stories which said that people sometimes spend up to three months preparing for the test. Found that hard to believe back then...
I went through the OG12 Math and Verbal content review which seemed to cover pretty simple topics. I thought that the test is going to be a piece of cake and started the OG questions. Soon I realized that while the topics are simple, their wording and ever-present time pressure make them pretty difficult most of the time. I was never particularly good at math and since I have my MSc. degrees in psychology and political science, I haven't really needed math since high school. After a week or two I knew that just answering the OG questions and reading official explanations will not take me anywhere.
So the next step was to search the web - and I came here. I was overwhelmed by the availability of material and advice. In no time, I ordered all the MGMAT books and took my first GMAT Prep. I couldn't believe my eyes - I had a 700 on my first attempt (do not remember my breakdown, didn't know I needed to write the scores down). Of course, I started to believe that a 730+ should be no problem with a couple months of time spent studying. I'll cut it short from here: the next 2.5 months I mostly worked, studied, or studied at work; also started to beat a punching bag 4 times a week not to go completely nuts (I strongly recommend some regular physical activity while studying for the test). I knew I had to get my Quant to a decent level. Verbal seemed to be ok, so I focused on Quant mostly. Started taking 1-2 Prep tests a week, simulating the real conditions as much as possible (writing the essays, allowing for minor distractions, taking them always at the time of my real exam).
Then came the last week in which I unfortunately had some major duties at work so I couldn't study much anymore. But my last GMAT Prep was a great 750, so I felt prepared. I tried to relax a bit, went to Vienna - where my test was scheduled - a day early and chilled out at the hotel with my girlfriend. Went to bed early and was hoping to sleep well and as much as possible. In the morning I went to the test center to make sure I know where it is, ate pizza, relaxed. Everything felt right. Arrived at the test center 45 minutes early but didn't have to wait the whole time. Prepared two bottles of Powerade, some bananas, Redbull shots and fructose tablets to be easily reachable in the breaks. Splashed some water on my face and went to the computer.
AWA's were easy, followed the template available here with some minor customizations of my own. Splashed water on my face during the break, used the toilet, had some Powerade and sugar.
Quant started off with a FDP question which seemed a little harder than I expected, followed by an easy Geometry. Third was already hard and felt like 600-700 or even 700-800. I felt good until about 12-15th question, where I had some really hard questions. Had to guess twice which made me nervous, but I recovered and focused on the rest of Quant alright, just having to guess two last questions due to lack of time to properly draw the needed tables.
During the break I thought I screwed the Quant unnecessarily, but I forbid my mind to let me distract from focusing on the Verbal. Splashed some more water on my face, ate a banana, had some Redbull and Powerade and went back to the computer. Knowing that Verbal is my strength, I focused on the questions and actually only had to make an educated guess only once or twice. RC was pretty easy, CR seemed hard but following the rules outlined in MGMAT CR and in some great reviews here (thanks a lot again!) I could answer every question alright. SC was pretty strange, even had a question where the only difference was in punctuation.
Finished with roughly 2 minutes time, clicked submit, my heart racing... and the screen showed a 690. I was totally crushed. 46 in Quant was slightly better than I expected, but only 40 in Verbal seemed very disappointing. I am still quite sad about the result since I want to try Columbia, NYU, Booth, MIT and Wharton and a 690 isn't exactly the best starting position. Was hoping for a 700+, preferably 720+. Oh well. Now I have to figure out if I should wait a year and retake the GMAT or if I should focus on the applications even harder. Any suggestions are welcome. Will post my profile on the forum tomorrow and I'd appreciate any comments about my position for application to the top 20 schools with a GMAT score of just 690.
UPDATE: https://gmatclub.com/forum/profile-evaluation-three-questions-105854.html
Provided link to my profile evaluation.
04 Dec 2010, 17:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congrats on a good score. If you are applying for an exec mba then your other credentials such as GPA, work experience and achievements will also play a major role.
By the way, from where did you get GMATprep 3 and 4? there are only 2 prep tests.
By the way, from where did you get GMATprep 3 and 4? there are only 2 prep tests.
whiplash2411
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Last visit: 02 Mar 2015
Posts: 1,761
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 210
Status:Three Down.
Concentration: General Management, Nonprofit
Schools: HBS '17 (M) Stanford '17 (A)
04 Dec 2010, 17:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
You can retake the exams at least once without any repeats. Especially if you took GMAT Prep I at the beginning of preparation and again at the end or something. If not, you can download the older version of GMAT Prep from 2006-2007. Just look for the GMAT Prep thread on this site.
