690 - Q49 V35, 6.0

Hi,

I got a 690 (Q 49 V35) today. Even though I am not quite happy with the score, I can't complain much because it was me who screwed up at the last moment. Out of excitement or whatever, I couldn't sleep for more than 3hours the previous night & that did reflect in my performance. My exam was on the 2nd half of the day, and I started draining out fast, post-AWA.
Otherwise, the exam conditions were quite good, the ladies at the reception were quite warm .... and everything went well. No issues with the markers, lockers etc.

The AWAs were straight forward kind. I am usually good at writing - hence didn't put much effort on AWA before the exams. Let's see what's in store for me at the AWA

Updated: Its around a week from I gave the exam, just came to know that my AWA score is 6.0. Nice

The Quant was also smooth. Only 1 Combination problem & 1 on Probability. Quite a few interesting Geometry problems.

I studied for approx 3 months, with around 2hrs on the weekdays & more on weekends. I am with family, hence had some obvious constraints.
Apart from the OG 11, I got Manhattan SC book & Kaplan 800. I also browsed another 2-3 Manhattan books, but didn't feel those were that impressive as the SC one. The SC one is a real gem. But I also felt there are few other important concepts on SC which are not quite covered in this book, hence would suggest not considering this as a 'SC Bible'. Keep your eyes open for other resources. I used to occasionally browse a few forums, and apart from this club, I learnt quite many useful things from the TM & ST forums.
I also got hold of an old OG10 just a few days before the exam, and tried to go through the Verbal questions, as much as I can. There are more questions on OG10 than in OG11.

Being an engineer, I didn't quite spend many calories on Quant. Just revised the concepts & few formulas. Most of my efforts were around Verbal. Even though I used to struggle in the beginning, eventually I started liking the Verbal

My Manhattan online tests used to be so so kind .... I did 5 out of 6, and my scores varied between 650 and 680... Q ranging from 45-49 & V from 34-38. But I used to give these tests at home, with occasional distractions.
Later, I started going to the local Library for the Powerprep & GMATPrep exams. I used to consistently get 700+ in all the Powerprep & GMATPrep exams - with my last GMATPrep2 went up till 760. (I did the Powerprep only once each, while reinstalled GMATPrep twice) The last one in which I scored 760 really increased my confidence, because there were just 1 or 2 known questions in the Verbal, and still I scored 45. That was just 2 days before the actual test.
I feel bad that I messed up the actual show, because of my non-sense & not following other's advice on Nyquil
I hope others don't do the same mistake & ensure a good 8hrs sleep the night before the exam.... whatever it takes!


Now, let me ask for some advice from you guys .... with this kind of score, do you think I can expect a call from any A-class schools?
I am Indian, my Engg CPA is not that impressive. Am having around 10years of work experience in the Software industry (with 5+ yrs abroad experience - US & UK). Started my career in a multinational software company, and kept on moving up the ladder all throughout. Yearly appraisals have always been good, and got several awards in the companies that I worked. Filed a few Patents also. Extra-curricular ... so so kind.
Before today's GMAT mess, I was aspiring for the top-tier schools (my dream list: Kellogg, Harvard, Chicago, Wharton, Columbia & Carnegie-Mellon), but now I am kinda doubtful with the screwed up 75 percentile in the Verbal score.....
Maybe I have to reconsider the idea of leaving my job & going for 2yrs full-time program. Unless I can enter in one of the top-tier schools, probably it won't make much sense to sacrifice my 2yrs' salary & take a loan, that too with 10yrs of experience.... what do you say?
Do you suggest retaking the GMAT & see if I can get around 730+?
Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks for reading this long post
Best of luck!