Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 14:28 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 14:28
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
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

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
AliJafri
User avatar
Joined: 27 Oct 2009
Last visit: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 6
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Gen. Mgt.
GPA: 3.1
WE 1: Tech/Manufacturing
WE 2: Tech/Finance
Schools: Booth '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 113
Kudos: 21
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief Updated on: 17 Dec 2009, 18:48
Originally posted by AliJafri on 12 Dec 2009, 16:13.
Last edited by AliJafri on 17 Dec 2009, 18:48, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Just gave the gmat (finished 30 minutes ago) score : 730 Q49 V41. Debrief in a couple of days!
avatar
shohagedu
avatar
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Last visit: 12 Jul 2012
Posts: 22
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 2
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Concentration: Marketing, Engineering
Posts: 22
Kudos: 3
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 13 Dec 2009, 02:46
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Waiting for your suggestions!
User avatar
gurpreetsingh
User avatar
Joined: 12 Oct 2009
Last visit: 15 Jun 2019
Posts: 2,266
Own Kudos:
3,963
Given Kudos: 235
Status:<strong>Nothing comes easy: neither do I want.</strong>
Location: Malaysia
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: ISB '15 (M)
GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V31
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: ISB '15 (M)
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35
Posts: 2,266
Kudos: 3,963
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 14 Dec 2009, 11:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
alijafri80
Just gave the gmat (finished 30 minutes ago) score : 730 Q49 V41. Debrief in a couple of days!
Show more


Congrats we r waiting.
User avatar
AliJafri
User avatar
Joined: 27 Oct 2009
Last visit: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
21
 [1]
Given Kudos: 6
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Gen. Mgt.
GPA: 3.1
WE 1: Tech/Manufacturing
WE 2: Tech/Finance
Schools: Booth '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 113
Kudos: 21
 [1]
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief Updated on: 18 Dec 2009, 06:09
Originally posted by AliJafri on 17 Dec 2009, 22:16.
Last edited by AliJafri on 18 Dec 2009, 06:09, edited 2 times in total.
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have been a lurker here ever since I decided to give the GMAT mid-September

Preparation materials used (in no particular order):

For general stuff and exams:
OG11 and OG12
MGMAT practice tests
GMAT Prep.
Cracking the GMAT 2008 by Princeton Review
1012 GMAT Practice Questions.
The retired GMAT exams from GMAC

For Verbal:
MGMAT Sentence Correction 4th edition (I bought this at the last moment, had been using the 2007 edition which is less detailed)
MGMAT Critical Reasoning\Reading Comprehension 2007
MGMAT SC Question Bank
The various forums here related to verbal including the brutal 100 list (which was actually about 70 questions).

For Math:
MGMAT Equations,Inequalities and VICs
MGMAT Number Properties.
MGMAT Word Translations


For AWA:
Writing skills for the GRE/GMAT
ChineseBurned's AWA guide
and some sample essays I found on Scribd (Can be found in an earlier post of mine)



General Strategy:

In the beginning I would spend 3 - 4 hours total during the week and 2 - 4 hours during the weekend.
This picked up to the point where I was spending 3 hours DAILY on weekdays and 16 hours during the weekend.

I spent about 6 weeks with Cracking the GMAT 2008. After this time I was able to answer all kinds of questions in the hard buckets. Also that book has a nice section pertaining to a template for the AWA. Cracking the GMAT is a good starting book. This will get you rolling in the right direction and point out potential weaknesses. However it does give a false sense of security. I tried a sample test from MGMAT and scored a dismal 560 Q36 V31.
Most of the early SC and DS sections were wrong.

Keep in mind though, the MGMAT questions are tougher than actual GMAT questions. I also observed that the MGMAT's difficulty level changes sharply while the actual GMAT/GMAT Prep questions level out after the first half.

I pinpointed my weaknesses and used the MGMAT books described above. I then hit the 1012 Princeton book for its questions.

I also maintained an error log (an idea I got from these forums) so I was able to review my weaknesses.

I gave some of the retired exams for specific question types.

I would study throughout the week, take off Wednesday and Saturday and give a full-length CAT Exam each Sunday. I would then focus on the mistakes using the MGMAT Books/1000 Qs and the 1012 book from Princeton.

I swear by POE and the 3:2 split technique. I had some weakness in idioms which the list in the MGMAT SC book really helped. I made some silly mistakes in the math portion. I would suggest reading those questions carefully.



I used a mixture of the Writing Skills Book, ChineseBurned's guide and the sample essays to practice writing.
The writing skills book had some great techniques to start off. I followed ChineseBurned's guide to eventually form my essays. The Scribd samples were great for comparison and getting some examples to use. EVERYWHERE I saw a heavy use of transitional words such as furthermore and clearly and examples. I practiced with these a ton!

I was more comfortable in writing the essays on paper and when I got the hang of it I started on the CAT exams. The first 2 CAT exams I did without AWA, but the remaining exams I did with AWA.






Summary of CAT practice exams:

11/08/09 GMATPrep Exam 1 710 Q49 V38

11/15/09 MGMAT Exam 2 690 Q45 V39

11/22/09 MGMAT Exam 3 640 Q42 V35 - With AWA

11/29/09 MGMAT EXAM 4 650 Q44 V35 - with AWA

12/01/09 MGMAT Exam 5 630 Q42 V34 - with AWA

12/09/09 MGMAT Exam 6 740 Q47 V45 - with AWA

12/10/09 GMATPrep Exam 2 730 Q49 V41 - with AWA



The MGMAT scores were all over the place. They are good for practice but I would not rely on them for being accurate predictors of the actual score. My actual score was the exact score I got in the final GMATPrep exam I gave 2 days before the actual exam.


I would also not suggest waiting to get a certain score in the practice tests before registering. You will keep delaying the exam thinking that you still have time! Set a specific deadline and register according to that deadline.




Exam experience:
The last practice exam I gave was 2 days prior to the actual exam. I had prepared a one page document containing some idioms I kept forgetting and a couple of maths formulas.

I registered for the 1:15 PM test on Saturday. I went through the PVS and photography (I smiled :)). The test began shortly after. Both the AWA essays had topics I was familiar with. Took a break, had a few puffs of a cigarette, had a few swigs of Vitamin Water and scarfed down a snickers. Repeated this for the next break as well. Keep in mind, when the popup asks you if you want a break, don't click on it as it will start the timer. Raise your hand and click it when the proctor comes in. You also have to be signed back in and the proctor has to sign in on your terminal. Subtract about 2 minutes for that and you have actually 6 minutes. The first break I came back with 40 seconds to spare and the proctor signed back in without a hitch. The second break I went to the rest-room and on coming back, I noticed I had gone over 20 seconds, and the proctor had some trouble signing back in. In total I lost 1 minute!

I had never given practice exams using ear-buds (I find them uncomfortable). I had usually given practice tests in a library or at home after asking everyone to BE QUIET! The test center was far from quiet. One person was constantly clearing her throat, there was a sporadic vibrating somewhere (still a mystery), another person got into a discussion with the proctor which lasted for 10 minutes. I tired of the ear buds early on and put on the provided headset, which was not as effective as the ear buds. I would have tried getting used to them had I known the center would not be as quiet!
I lost concentration on a couple of RC questions towards the end, but overall was a good experience.


Well now I am moving on to applications and such. I do apologize for not putting in links for any of the material mentioned and the flagrant grammatical errors!

I will be putting up my profile over the weekend and asking for an eval! So help me out guys!

Updated: Received the AWA score this morning (12/16/09) Just 6 days after the exam!
User avatar
gurpreetsingh
User avatar
Joined: 12 Oct 2009
Last visit: 15 Jun 2019
Posts: 2,266
Own Kudos:
3,963
Given Kudos: 235
Status:<strong>Nothing comes easy: neither do I want.</strong>
Location: Malaysia
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
Schools: ISB '15 (M)
GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V31
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: ISB '15 (M)
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35
Posts: 2,266
Kudos: 3,963
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 18 Dec 2009, 04:44
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nic Debrief. Good luck ahead.
User avatar
burnttwinky
User avatar
Joined: 25 Jun 2009
Last visit: 11 Sep 2016
Posts: 195
Own Kudos:
1,649
Given Kudos: 4
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Duke '15 (A)
Posts: 195
Kudos: 1,649
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 21 Dec 2009, 14:41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Awesome score! Congrats! How did you find the Manhattan GMAT Verbal compared to the actual verbal? In addition, I have been struggling on the Manhattan GMAT RC, did you have the same problems?
User avatar
AliJafri
User avatar
Joined: 27 Oct 2009
Last visit: 08 Apr 2014
Posts: 113
Own Kudos:
21
 [1]
Given Kudos: 6
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Gen. Mgt.
GPA: 3.1
WE 1: Tech/Manufacturing
WE 2: Tech/Finance
Schools: Booth '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q49 V41
Posts: 113
Kudos: 21
 [1]
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 22 Dec 2009, 18:44
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
burnttwinky
Awesome score! Congrats! How did you find the Manhattan GMAT Verbal compared to the actual verbal? In addition, I have been struggling on the Manhattan GMAT RC, did you have the same problems?
Show more

I thought the MGMAT verbal was tougher than the actual GMAT and the GMATPrep tests. I didn't really struggle with RC, but Manhattan has a very nice book regarding with some handy tips. However those tips can be pretty much found in any respectable prep book.
Good luck!
User avatar
DestinyChild
User avatar
Joined: 02 Oct 2009
Last visit: 23 Apr 2010
Posts: 124
Own Kudos:
82
Given Kudos: 4
Posts: 124
Kudos: 82
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 22 Dec 2009, 20:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
alijafri80,

congratulations!
avatar
MyMBAdream
avatar
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Last visit: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 13
Posts: 13
Kudos: 0
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 24 Jan 2010, 11:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Congrats
User avatar
tan888
User avatar
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Last visit: 25 May 2025
Posts: 100
Own Kudos:
5
Given Kudos: 15
Schools:UCLA, INSEAD
Posts: 100
Kudos: 5
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 24 Jan 2010, 14:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Congrats! Thanks for sharing.
User avatar
Zatarra
User avatar
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Last visit: 07 May 2016
Posts: 307
Own Kudos:
370
Given Kudos: 149
WE 1: 4 years Tech
Posts: 307
Kudos: 370
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 21 Jul 2011, 11:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
from 630 in mgmat to 740 in 1 test . what the hell!
User avatar
Shoumik
User avatar
Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Last visit: 23 Jun 2024
Posts: 220
Own Kudos:
1,237
Given Kudos: 13
Posts: 220
Kudos: 1,237
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 23 Jul 2011, 12:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Congrats! Very informative debrief! What does POE mean?
User avatar
StayPositive
User avatar
Joined: 20 Jul 2011
Last visit: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 6
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Technology
Posts: 6
Kudos: 0
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 23 Jul 2011, 15:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Congrats!
User avatar
Zatarra
User avatar
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Last visit: 07 May 2016
Posts: 307
Own Kudos:
370
 [1]
Given Kudos: 149
WE 1: 4 years Tech
Posts: 307
Kudos: 370
 [1]
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 24 Jul 2011, 03:39
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Mahtab
Congrats! Very informative debrief! What does POE mean?
Show more
process of elimination . i deserve a kudos for this
User avatar
Zatarra
User avatar
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Last visit: 07 May 2016
Posts: 307
Own Kudos:
370
Given Kudos: 149
WE 1: 4 years Tech
Posts: 307
Kudos: 370
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 26 Jul 2011, 11:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
So, My dream has been realized . I have been thanked by none other than the great dzyubam . Thanks
User avatar
MrMicrostrip
User avatar
Joined: 31 May 2011
Last visit: 20 May 2012
Posts: 16
Own Kudos:
15
Given Kudos: 2
Status:Don't worry about finding inspiration. It eventually come &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;
Location: Î Ñ D Ï Â
Concentration: HR, Marketing and Finance
Posts: 16
Kudos: 15
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 26 Jul 2011, 12:08
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
congrats dude!
avatar
Haifa
avatar
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Last visit: 05 Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 5
Kudos: 0
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 26 Jul 2011, 13:04
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
really great congrats
User avatar
Zatarra
User avatar
Verbal Forum Moderator
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Last visit: 07 May 2016
Posts: 307
Own Kudos:
370
Given Kudos: 149
WE 1: 4 years Tech
Posts: 307
Kudos: 370
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 27 Jul 2011, 00:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Haifa
really great congrats
Show more
Ya .
User avatar
dimri10
User avatar
Joined: 16 May 2011
Last visit: 25 Sep 2023
Posts: 237
Own Kudos:
356
Given Kudos: 64
Concentration: Finance, Real Estate
GMAT Date: 12-27-2011
WE:Law (Law)
Posts: 237
Kudos: 356
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 29 Jul 2011, 00:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
wonderful result and i liked this debrief.

it's been along run from 560 to 730
User avatar
Asher
User avatar
Joined: 06 Apr 2011
Last visit: 03 Feb 2012
Posts: 38
Own Kudos:
25
Given Kudos: 22
Location: India
Posts: 38
Kudos: 25
730 Q49 V41 - Debrief 01 Aug 2011, 02:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Congrats. Nice debrief. Very motivating.. 530 to 730.. awesome
Moderator:
bb
Founder
43155 posts