Last year around this time, I decided to set out for my MBA and do the GMAT. I already work in Consulting and finding time was the most challenging aspect of it.
I bought a Kaplan Premier book as well as all
Manhattan Prep ones and tried to go through it as systematically as possible.
Books: Kaplan Premier,
Manhattan Prep Books and CATs, Manhattan App
Target: 700+
Background: Undergrad, ranked in the 40ish, Consultant at MBB
Length of study: On/off across 6 months, focused with 2 week and 3 week episode
Scores:
1/ March '18/ Kaplan 2017: 570 (lost the break down)
2/ April '18/ Kaplan 2017: 640 (lost the break down)
3/ May '18/ Kaplan 2017: 680 (Q41, V42)
4/ May '18 / GMATPrep #1: 590 (Q39, V33)
5/ June '18 / GMATPrep #1: 620 (Q42, V34)
6/ June '18 / GMATPrep #2: 660 (Q42, V39)
7/ June '18 / GMAT #1 (cancelled): 560 (Q34, V33)8/ November '18 / Kaplan 2018: 630 (Q38, V38)
9/ November '18/ March '18 / Kaplan 2018: 670 (Q43, V39)
10/ December '18 /
Manhattan Prep: 640 (Q40, V37)
11/ December '18 /
Manhattan Prep: 640 (Q41, V36)
12/ January '19 / GMATPrep #1: 680 (Q44, V37)
13/ January '19 / GMAT #2: 600 (Q38, V34)In April, I took 2 weeks off and prepared for my first run at it. I knew quite early that I would not hit my target score, but on test date I was a full 100 points worse than with the GMATPrep the day before. There were some distractions at the test center that threw me off as well.
Case work picked up again and I made the mistake to let it drag on. Then I took another 3 weeks off, focused on the test (and essays and other MBA stuff, next big mistake). Test scores looked a lot better, a little closer to the 700. It ended up being a 600 (only positive was that I scored full at IR and AWA)
At both test, I experienced some black-out moments, especially at the math section.
With such a score, all my applications were useless as well and I scrapped everything afterwards. Now I've set my mind for R1 2019. Essays and Recs are pretty much good to go, but I know that the GMAT will remain my main obstacle. Now, I am thinking about how to best tackle it. I cannot take in-person or online classes due to my job. I think having something self-paced that just puts content right in front of me and adapts to my weaknesses would help me get into a routine that I can do every day. Having to figure out daily what my study content of the day should be was challenging and too often I just ended up doing some random problems.
These are the main questions that I am currently thinking through: A) Is it worth sticking with the GMAT or should I see if the GRE suits me more?
B) If sticking with the GMAT, should I keep running with the books I have or take a self-paced course online? If so, which one would fit me best?
C) How to deal with test taking anxiety which has popped up both times at the quant section?
Any advice is more than welcome!
More info that could help:
1) How many times have you taken the actual GMAT? Please list the dates on which you’ve taken the GMAT, the total scores, and the quant, verbal, and IR scores, as well as how you were feeling while taking the tests. See above, was very nervous during both, especially the Quant part.
2) How many practice GMAT tests did you take? Please list the dates on which you’ve taken any practice GMATs, the total scores, and the quant, verbal, and IR scores, as well as how you were feeling while taking the tests. Also, please tell me where these tests came from.See above.
3) Please describe how you studied. For how many hours a day did you study and for how many months? What resources did you use?During the week, 1-2 times for 1-2h each, weekend for 2-3h each, then before the test once 2 weeks of full time, then before the second test 3 weeks of full time. Resources see above.
4) To what programs will you be applying? What are the deadlines for these programs?HBS, Stanford, probably 2 more from Top 7, 1 absolute safety school
Round 1, 2019
5) By when would you LIKE to take the GMAT? By when MUST you take the GMAT?I'd like to get it out of the way ASAP, this has been following me for way too long. Latest would be end of July, so I have all of August to focus on essays and other stuff
6) For how many hours a day, on average, can you study between now and your next GMAT?During weekdays, max. 1h-1.5h realistically, most likely either super early (6:30amish, or late (past midnight).
7) In your opinion, how prepared were you for the GMAT? It's important that you answer this question as objectively as possible.At first, I lived in a bubble as all my colleagues had amazing scores and spent a good amount of time, but not an insane one, which was also what everyone told me. My gut feeling told me early on that it would be a different story for me, but I got lulled by all their anecdotes.
Preparing for the second attempt, I noticed how I got a much better understanding of the types of questions, and how the GMAT flows. I feel that my knowledge is spotty: Mostly well covered, with sometimes a random glaring hole popping up out of nowhere. I tend to run into every trap within quant, even if I have seen it too often already.
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20 Jan 2019, 05:28
and 
can take away the emotions that you might have experienced when seeing these perfect scores
