760 GMAT (First Attempt)

Question

I took the GMAT today. I had been studying since September using a combination of a Magoosh subscription and the in-person Veritas course.

For Magoosh, I watched all of their excellent lesson videos as a supplement to the Veritas class and materials and relied on Magoosh for the majority of my problems (did almost 500 of them). Since I know people are curious how practice tests relate to the real score, here are the 4 Veritas online practice tests I took:

Nov 19: 650/76th Q: 41/45th V: 39/89th (did not take AWA/IR)
Nov 27: 660/79th Q: 42/47th V: 39/89th (did not take AWA/IR)
Jan 2: 680/84th Q: 45/59th V: 39/89th IR: 6 (did not write AWA)
Feb 5: 710/91st Q: 47/65th V: 40/91st IR: 5 (wrote AWA)

Feb 18: Real GMAT
760/99th Q: 47/65th V: 47/99th IR: 8 AWA: TBD

Turned out Veritas predicted the Q score perfectly but well underestimated the V and IR.

I actually found the test surprisingly easy, as strange as that is to say. I even said as much to the woman at the desk and she said she had never heard anyone say that before. I expected to struggle on more questions based on my Veritas practice experience and thought the IR was a breeze compared to the really tough IR I had seen on the Veritas. I was actually getting a bit nervous during the test that I was only getting the easier bank of questions.

Very happy with my score. :-D

Keepushinalmosthere · Answer

Can you talk a little bit about your study patterns? Around how many hours a week were you studying and what was the split between weekend/weekdays?

Also does cramming work? Some of my buddies are able to study for 6 hours at a time. I personally think that is insane, and the most I can do straight is 2 hours at a time.

How was anxiety for test day and sleep the night before?

Last question:

How did you treat yourself after the big score (if you did at all) ?

Filthydelphia · Answer

It really varied depending on my workload at work. The Veritas course was 3 hours 2x a week for 6 weeks. I studied when I could during the weekdays otherwise but I probably averaged under 5 hours/week during the weekdays with another 6 hours or so on the weekend, usually broken up into chunks. I've found that for me, it is easier to do an hour or two of studying, take a break for a few hours, then get back into it. I also would keep myself fresh by switching between Q and V. For example, I might do an hour of geometry problems, then dive into an hour of verbal.

Quite a bit of my study time was spent watching the Magoosh videos, however, and reading the skillbuilders and lessons in the Veritas course books. I also download the Magoosh GMAT Flashcards App on my phone and would look through them when I had a few minutes to kill, such as between meetings at work or while on the subway.

No issues for me. I'm actually a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves so that might have something to do with my generally calm composure before and through the test. I will admit though that on the last 3 or 4 Verbal questions, knowing that my test score was coming, the anxiety suddenly hit me like a brick wall. I had the noise-cancellation headphones on, so I could hear my heart rapidly beating and I had to re-read the questions several times before I comprehended what they were saying. Fortunately, I had plenty of time left on the section so I could afford my lapse into anxiety.

Funnily enough, the last answer submission does not immediately generate your score. I had several pages of demographic information to fill out so my score kind of sneaked up on me in the end.

I didn't do anything. Sorry for not being exciting!

cesarucv · Answer

Woow!!
 Congratulations you did a really good job :D

Keepushinalmosthere · Answer

Thanks for the detailed response!

The anxiety hitting you like a brick wall phenomenon is one I can relate to 100%. In past situations, the first 10-15 minutes are when my adrenaline spikes. I can barely concentrate and have to read and re-read multiple times to understand basic questions. After it wears off tho, I'm good, but I totally understand where you are coming from.

omizzle · Answer

Nice job. Surprising your verbal score in practice was so far below the actual

heliosmusic · Answer

That's great I think. My 1st attempt was such a failure. And I had to write  custom essay  so I was a little distructed

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