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18 Nov 2023, 13:00
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Introduction:
Hello, I'm Ernesto Gonzalez, and I'd like to take you through my GMAT journey, one that saw my score increase from 680 to a 99th percentile 760. My story is a testament to the power of determination, conscious practice, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement. In this article, I'll share the details of my two-phase GMAT journey and the invaluable insights and strategies that led to my success.
My Background:
I'm Ernesto Gonzalez, from Costa Rica, and I hold a bachelor's degree in economics. Currently, I work in the investment banking advisory team at EY Central America. With dreams of pursuing an MBA, I knew that acing the GMAT was the vital first step on my journey.
The Two-Phase Journey:
My GMAT journey can be divided into two distinct phases, each characterized by a unique approach to preparation.
Phase 1: Learning Modules and Concepts
In the initial phase, which spanned over six months, I honed my skills by delving deep into GMAT learning modules and concepts. This laid the groundwork for my success, providing me with a strong foundation. I can't stress enough the importance of grasping the conceptual nature of the GMAT and building a solid base. For this phase, I relied completely on the e-GMAT platform. I dedicated a significant amount of time to the sentence correction modules as this was a weak point for me.
Phase 2: Practice and Test Readiness
The second phase, lasting roughly 50 days, consisted of practice and test readiness. I came to the realization that, beyond understanding concepts, practice was the key. This was when my focus shifted from theoretical understanding to practical application. In this phase, e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was key. From what I have seen of GMAT practice platforms, e-GMAT's Scholarium truly has everything you need. The platform has more than enough practice questions from which quizzes and practices can be made and also has very clear explanations that allow you to make sure you understand every single question you answer. In my eyes, the last mile push program is what allowed me to truly make the most of that platform. Having a proper guide on certain topics to go through and quizzes to do made the study process easier. On top of that, the one on one sessions with Rida Shafeek from the e-GMAT team to guide these practices and quizzes made all the difference and also made the process of scoring a 99th percentile GMAT score while working full time something achievable.
General tips:
Identifying Weaknesses and Traps:
Throughout my journey, I faced the challenge of identifying my weaknesses and overcoming the traps set by the GMAT. I found sentence correction to be a significant hurdle and decided to concentrate on improving in this area.
Balancing Work and Study:
Being a working professional, I encountered the challenge of finding time for GMAT preparation. The importance of identifying the most productive study times and guarding them cannot be overstated. In my case, I found mornings and weekends to be the most effective study periods. I encourage you to find your right study time that fits well with your working schedule.
Conscious Practice:
A Key Ingredient One of the cornerstones of my success was unwavering belief in conscious practice. I highly recommend GMAT aspirants to prioritize understanding every question thoroughly, regardless of whether they answer correctly or not. Embrace the idea of effortful practice; it's integral to achieving a top score.
Letting Go of Challenging Questions
My experience underscores the importance of knowing when to let go of challenging questions during the test. This ability became critical for achieving a higher score and maintaining a calm mindset throughout the GMAT.
Conclusion:
All in all, early in my GMAT journey I was convinced that the GMAT exam is structured in a way that truly allows you to achieve ANY score you want. The higher your objective, the more time its going to take. But it is achievable. I might be wrong in this belief but i am sure that believing this, even if it is not strictly correct, will help you in achieving a higher score. As cliche as it may sound, you really can achieve what you set your mind to, as long as it is accompanied by relentless practice and effort.
Thanks,
Ernesto
Hello, I'm Ernesto Gonzalez, and I'd like to take you through my GMAT journey, one that saw my score increase from 680 to a 99th percentile 760. My story is a testament to the power of determination, conscious practice, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement. In this article, I'll share the details of my two-phase GMAT journey and the invaluable insights and strategies that led to my success.
My Background:
I'm Ernesto Gonzalez, from Costa Rica, and I hold a bachelor's degree in economics. Currently, I work in the investment banking advisory team at EY Central America. With dreams of pursuing an MBA, I knew that acing the GMAT was the vital first step on my journey.
The Two-Phase Journey:
My GMAT journey can be divided into two distinct phases, each characterized by a unique approach to preparation.
Phase 1: Learning Modules and Concepts
In the initial phase, which spanned over six months, I honed my skills by delving deep into GMAT learning modules and concepts. This laid the groundwork for my success, providing me with a strong foundation. I can't stress enough the importance of grasping the conceptual nature of the GMAT and building a solid base. For this phase, I relied completely on the e-GMAT platform. I dedicated a significant amount of time to the sentence correction modules as this was a weak point for me.
Phase 2: Practice and Test Readiness
The second phase, lasting roughly 50 days, consisted of practice and test readiness. I came to the realization that, beyond understanding concepts, practice was the key. This was when my focus shifted from theoretical understanding to practical application. In this phase, e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was key. From what I have seen of GMAT practice platforms, e-GMAT's Scholarium truly has everything you need. The platform has more than enough practice questions from which quizzes and practices can be made and also has very clear explanations that allow you to make sure you understand every single question you answer. In my eyes, the last mile push program is what allowed me to truly make the most of that platform. Having a proper guide on certain topics to go through and quizzes to do made the study process easier. On top of that, the one on one sessions with Rida Shafeek from the e-GMAT team to guide these practices and quizzes made all the difference and also made the process of scoring a 99th percentile GMAT score while working full time something achievable.
General tips:
Identifying Weaknesses and Traps:
Throughout my journey, I faced the challenge of identifying my weaknesses and overcoming the traps set by the GMAT. I found sentence correction to be a significant hurdle and decided to concentrate on improving in this area.
Balancing Work and Study:
Being a working professional, I encountered the challenge of finding time for GMAT preparation. The importance of identifying the most productive study times and guarding them cannot be overstated. In my case, I found mornings and weekends to be the most effective study periods. I encourage you to find your right study time that fits well with your working schedule.
Conscious Practice:
A Key Ingredient One of the cornerstones of my success was unwavering belief in conscious practice. I highly recommend GMAT aspirants to prioritize understanding every question thoroughly, regardless of whether they answer correctly or not. Embrace the idea of effortful practice; it's integral to achieving a top score.
Letting Go of Challenging Questions
My experience underscores the importance of knowing when to let go of challenging questions during the test. This ability became critical for achieving a higher score and maintaining a calm mindset throughout the GMAT.
Conclusion:
All in all, early in my GMAT journey I was convinced that the GMAT exam is structured in a way that truly allows you to achieve ANY score you want. The higher your objective, the more time its going to take. But it is achievable. I might be wrong in this belief but i am sure that believing this, even if it is not strictly correct, will help you in achieving a higher score. As cliche as it may sound, you really can achieve what you set your mind to, as long as it is accompanied by relentless practice and effort.
Thanks,
Ernesto
18 Nov 2023, 13:51
Kudos
Bookmarks
Well done, what a great score! And great perseverance over 6 months! I can really empathize with the struggles of combining GMAT studies with full-time work but it's paid off well for your
Did you also take any of mocks (especially the OG ones) and what were your scores if you did?
Did you also take any of mocks (especially the OG ones) and what were your scores if you did?
Archit3110
Major Poster
18 Nov 2023, 23:06
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Congratulations for score all the best for applications...
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
