Background information:
Nationality: Ukrainian
Education: Applied Mathematics/Computer Science.
Industry: Telecommunications.
Experience: 9 years.
Tests taken and results:
Kaplan Premier Live Online Book
Test 2 (Non CAT): 680 Q49, V39
Test 3 (CAT): 770 Q55, V48
Test 4 (CAT): 740 Q51, V43
Test 5 (CAT): 700 Q51, V31
Test 6 (CAT): 730 Q55, V37
GMAT Prep:
Test 1: 730 Q50, V38
Test 2: 760 Q50, V42
Test 2 from GMAT Prep was taken 2 days before the actual test.
Kaplan tests were taken about 1-2 weeks before the actual test.
Books used:
1. Power Score "GMAT SC Bible".
2. Power Score "GMAT CR Bible".
3. Kaplan "Premier Live Online 2010 Edition".
4. Kaplan "GMAT Advanced 2009-2010 Edition".
5. "
The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 11th Edition".
6. "
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review, 2nd Edition".
Some notes about the exam experience and mistakes to avoid:1. Please take a all the breaks possible (between AWA and Quantitative and
between Quantitative and Verbal). After AWA I decided to do Quantitative without the break
and it was the first mistake. The first 4-5 questions were very simple but I still could not
concentrate and it took me quite long time to answer, whereas normally it would take me only
about half a minute or a minute to answer such questions.
2. The break is 8 minutes. When taking a break you need to present your passport to the administrators
and the administrators will take a scan of your palm (basically it happens every time you leave the
test room). The procedure might take about 1 minute, so please make sure you do not spend all 8 minutes
for the break as the exam will start without you (I spent about 5 minutes).
3. Timing is very important, I believe I got the low score because for the last 3-4 questions of Verbal
section I had only about 2-3 minutes left, so had to make a guess for 2-3 questions. That was my second
major mistake.
Some notes about preparation:1. GMAT Prep Software gives exactly the same feeling as the real test questions, also I would say that
the questions and difficulty of the questions are approximately the same for both Quantitative and
Verbal sections. So please make sure you do the GMAT Prep tests as many times as possible (but please
try to keep the second test until the end of your preparation period since it will give you the
feeling of the real exam). When doing tests, especially when the exam date is approaching, make sure that
you answer AWA questions. Without AWA the test is much easier, since you will not get as tired.
2. For AWA please read some notes, templates and example answers in this forum. Try to memorize
structural words and sentences because it will make the writing tasks for you much easier.
Although AWA does not contribute to your score, if you struggle during essays, you will be tired
in Quantitative and Verbal sections and you will not be able to perform as well as you possibly could.