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Nov 1912:30 PM EST
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Learn how Keshav, a Chartered Accountant, scored an impressive 705 on GMAT in just 30 days with GMATWhiz's expert guidance. In this video, he shares preparation tips and strategies that worked for him, including the mock, time management, and more
Nov 1811:00 AM PST
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Join us in a live GMAT practice session and solve 30 challenging GMAT questions with other test takers in timed conditions, covering GMAT Quant, Data Sufficiency, Data Insights, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning questions.
Nov 2001:30 PM EST
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Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
Nov 2211:00 AM IST
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Nov 2407:00 PM PST
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Full-length FE mock with insightful analytics, weakness diagnosis, and video explanations!
Nov 2510:00 AM EST
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Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors.
02 May 2025, 23:07
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From 555 to 675: My GMAT Journey of Strategic Preparation
Introduction
Hello GMAT Club members! I'm Lavanya, and I'm excited to share my GMAT journey with you all. I recently scored a 675 on the GMAT with sectional scores of Q87, V83, and DI80. This represents a tremendous 120-point improvement from my initial score of 555. The road wasn't easy, but with the right approach, structured curriculum from e-GMAT, and dedicated mentorship, I was able to achieve my goal.
My GMAT Preparation Journey
Initial Challenges
When I started my GMAT preparation, I faced several key challenges:
- Difficulty identifying specific weak areas within broader topics
- Lack of structured approach to tackle different question types
- Time management issues across all sections
- Inconsistent performance in mock tests
Quant: From Q75 to Q87
My Quant section went from being my weakness to becoming the highlight of my score. Here's how I transformed my performance:
Identifying Specific Weaknesses
- Initially struggled with pinpointing exactly which sub-areas within topics were problematic
- Used e-GMAT's diagnostic tools to identify specific question types and sub-topics that needed work
- Fast-tracked through concepts I was strong in and focused intensively on weak areas
- Focused particularly on Number Properties, which consistently appeared as a weak area
Targeted Practice
- Concentrated on specific question types rather than general practice
- Created collections of similar questions to master particular concepts
- Developed better process skills through structured approach to problem-solving
Breaking the Q81 Plateau
- Hit a plateau at Q81 despite consistent practice
- Used analytics to realize that my errors were primarily behavioral rather than conceptual
- Implemented a 30-second verification step at the end of each question to catch careless mistakes
- Practiced time management techniques recommended by my mentor
By the end, my accuracy on hard advanced topics improved from a mere 28% to an impressive 73%, while reducing my average time per question from 3 minutes to just 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Verbal: Building on a Decent Foundation to V83
While I had a decent foundation in Verbal, there were specific areas that needed improvement:
Critical Reasoning Challenges
- Initially struggled with understanding author's reasoning and logic
- Found it difficult to distinguish between similar answer choices
- Had particular difficulty with boldface and inference questions
CR Improvement Strategy
- Developed a structured pre-thinking process for analyzing arguments
- Created a personal "dictionary" of verbal terms to clarify evidence vs. fact
- Made conscious effort to write down what answer choices should contain for different question types
- e-GMAT's Coach Connections sessions were particularly helpful for understanding boldface questions
Reading Comprehension Mastery
- Balanced between depth and speed of reading using effective strategies
- Applied reading strategies like pause points to improve comprehension
- Practiced actively identifying author's point of view and paragraph connections
Through patient application of these strategies, my CR accuracy on hard questions improved from 40% to an impressive 70%.
Data Insights: Achieving DI80
Data Insights presented unique challenges that required combining verbal and quant skills:
Time Management Strategy
- Identified Two-Part Analysis as my most time-consuming question type
- Reduced time spent on other question types to allocate more time to TPA
- Practiced quickly filtering relevant information from large data sets
- Developed a balanced approach to DS questions, knowing when to stop calculations
Question Type-Specific Approaches
- For TPA: Focused on identifying relationships between variables quickly rather than solving completely
- For MSR: Applied RC strategies to understand connections between different sources
- For DS: Developed a systematic approach to determine sufficiency without solving completely
Transferring Skills
- Applied critical reading skills from Verbal to catch subtle details in DI questions
- Used improved calculation accuracy from Quant to avoid errors in data analysis
- Found that improving in both Verbal and Quant naturally enhanced DI performance
The Value of e-GMAT's Mentorship
The personalized mentorship I received through e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was crucial to my success:
- Regular feedback sessions with my mentor Dhruv helped keep me accountable
- Detailed analytics helped identify weak areas and track improvement
- Structured milestones with clear metrics to achieve
- Mindset coaching to overcome test anxiety and build resilience
My mentor played a critical role in keeping me motivated during challenging times, reminding me of my goals when I felt like giving up.
Mock Test Experience
My mock test journey was quite a roller coaster:
- Scores fluctuated significantly (555, 615, 615)
- Initially struggled with time management, leaving questions unanswered
- Found section transitions challenging, especially from Verbal to Quant
Mock Test Improvement Strategy
- Detailed error logging after each mock
- Strict implementation of corrective actions identified in error logs
- Mindset exercises to reset between sections
- Practiced the 10-second mental reset when feeling distracted or unfocused
- Built test rigor through multiple practice tests to develop an internal time clock
Test Day Experience
On test day, I maintained a calm and positive mindset. I chose the section order of Verbal, Quant, break, and then DI.
Key Test Day Strategies
- Completed Quant section with 5 minutes to spare, allowing time to review flagged questions
- Successfully corrected a calculation mistake in one of the early questions
- Applied mental reset techniques when feeling distracted
- Managed to complete all sections on time without leaving questions unanswered
While I felt the test went well, I wasn't sure exactly how well I had performed, especially in Quant. Seeing the final score of a 675 was a tremendous relief and reward for all the hard work.
Lessons Learned and Advice
Looking back at my journey, here are the key takeaways:
1. Trust the process - e-GMAT's structured approach builds skills systematically
2. Utilize analytics - Detailed performance metrics help pinpoint exactly where to focus
3. Leverage expert coaching - The Coach Connections sessions provide invaluable strategies and insights
4. Consider personalized mentorship - Having a dedicated mentor makes a huge difference
5. Practice mindset management - Techniques for staying focused were crucial for test day
6. Be patient with the learning process - Trust that the skills will develop with consistent application
Final Thoughts
The GMAT journey tests not just your knowledge but your perseverance and ability to adapt. There were many times I felt like giving up, but having a clear goal and supportive mentorship kept me going.
I highly recommend e-GMAT's structured approach with diagnostics and personalized mentorship. These resources give you a clear gauge of your strengths and weaknesses and provide actionable steps for improvement.
Remember why you started this journey in the first place. If your goal means enough to you, you'll find the strength to push through the challenges. Stay committed to the process, trust in your preparation, and believe in your ability to improve.
I hope my journey inspires you on your GMAT path. Best of luck to all test-takers!
Introduction
Hello GMAT Club members! I'm Lavanya, and I'm excited to share my GMAT journey with you all. I recently scored a 675 on the GMAT with sectional scores of Q87, V83, and DI80. This represents a tremendous 120-point improvement from my initial score of 555. The road wasn't easy, but with the right approach, structured curriculum from e-GMAT, and dedicated mentorship, I was able to achieve my goal.
My GMAT Preparation Journey
Initial Challenges
When I started my GMAT preparation, I faced several key challenges:
- Difficulty identifying specific weak areas within broader topics
- Lack of structured approach to tackle different question types
- Time management issues across all sections
- Inconsistent performance in mock tests
Quant: From Q75 to Q87
My Quant section went from being my weakness to becoming the highlight of my score. Here's how I transformed my performance:
Identifying Specific Weaknesses
- Initially struggled with pinpointing exactly which sub-areas within topics were problematic
- Used e-GMAT's diagnostic tools to identify specific question types and sub-topics that needed work
- Fast-tracked through concepts I was strong in and focused intensively on weak areas
- Focused particularly on Number Properties, which consistently appeared as a weak area
Targeted Practice
- Concentrated on specific question types rather than general practice
- Created collections of similar questions to master particular concepts
- Developed better process skills through structured approach to problem-solving
Breaking the Q81 Plateau
- Hit a plateau at Q81 despite consistent practice
- Used analytics to realize that my errors were primarily behavioral rather than conceptual
- Implemented a 30-second verification step at the end of each question to catch careless mistakes
- Practiced time management techniques recommended by my mentor
By the end, my accuracy on hard advanced topics improved from a mere 28% to an impressive 73%, while reducing my average time per question from 3 minutes to just 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Verbal: Building on a Decent Foundation to V83
While I had a decent foundation in Verbal, there were specific areas that needed improvement:
Critical Reasoning Challenges
- Initially struggled with understanding author's reasoning and logic
- Found it difficult to distinguish between similar answer choices
- Had particular difficulty with boldface and inference questions
CR Improvement Strategy
- Developed a structured pre-thinking process for analyzing arguments
- Created a personal "dictionary" of verbal terms to clarify evidence vs. fact
- Made conscious effort to write down what answer choices should contain for different question types
- e-GMAT's Coach Connections sessions were particularly helpful for understanding boldface questions
Reading Comprehension Mastery
- Balanced between depth and speed of reading using effective strategies
- Applied reading strategies like pause points to improve comprehension
- Practiced actively identifying author's point of view and paragraph connections
Through patient application of these strategies, my CR accuracy on hard questions improved from 40% to an impressive 70%.
Data Insights: Achieving DI80
Data Insights presented unique challenges that required combining verbal and quant skills:
Time Management Strategy
- Identified Two-Part Analysis as my most time-consuming question type
- Reduced time spent on other question types to allocate more time to TPA
- Practiced quickly filtering relevant information from large data sets
- Developed a balanced approach to DS questions, knowing when to stop calculations
Question Type-Specific Approaches
- For TPA: Focused on identifying relationships between variables quickly rather than solving completely
- For MSR: Applied RC strategies to understand connections between different sources
- For DS: Developed a systematic approach to determine sufficiency without solving completely
Transferring Skills
- Applied critical reading skills from Verbal to catch subtle details in DI questions
- Used improved calculation accuracy from Quant to avoid errors in data analysis
- Found that improving in both Verbal and Quant naturally enhanced DI performance
The Value of e-GMAT's Mentorship
The personalized mentorship I received through e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was crucial to my success:
- Regular feedback sessions with my mentor Dhruv helped keep me accountable
- Detailed analytics helped identify weak areas and track improvement
- Structured milestones with clear metrics to achieve
- Mindset coaching to overcome test anxiety and build resilience
My mentor played a critical role in keeping me motivated during challenging times, reminding me of my goals when I felt like giving up.
Mock Test Experience
My mock test journey was quite a roller coaster:
- Scores fluctuated significantly (555, 615, 615)
- Initially struggled with time management, leaving questions unanswered
- Found section transitions challenging, especially from Verbal to Quant
Mock Test Improvement Strategy
- Detailed error logging after each mock
- Strict implementation of corrective actions identified in error logs
- Mindset exercises to reset between sections
- Practiced the 10-second mental reset when feeling distracted or unfocused
- Built test rigor through multiple practice tests to develop an internal time clock
Test Day Experience
On test day, I maintained a calm and positive mindset. I chose the section order of Verbal, Quant, break, and then DI.
Key Test Day Strategies
- Completed Quant section with 5 minutes to spare, allowing time to review flagged questions
- Successfully corrected a calculation mistake in one of the early questions
- Applied mental reset techniques when feeling distracted
- Managed to complete all sections on time without leaving questions unanswered
While I felt the test went well, I wasn't sure exactly how well I had performed, especially in Quant. Seeing the final score of a 675 was a tremendous relief and reward for all the hard work.
Lessons Learned and Advice
Looking back at my journey, here are the key takeaways:
1. Trust the process - e-GMAT's structured approach builds skills systematically
2. Utilize analytics - Detailed performance metrics help pinpoint exactly where to focus
3. Leverage expert coaching - The Coach Connections sessions provide invaluable strategies and insights
4. Consider personalized mentorship - Having a dedicated mentor makes a huge difference
5. Practice mindset management - Techniques for staying focused were crucial for test day
6. Be patient with the learning process - Trust that the skills will develop with consistent application
Final Thoughts
The GMAT journey tests not just your knowledge but your perseverance and ability to adapt. There were many times I felt like giving up, but having a clear goal and supportive mentorship kept me going.
I highly recommend e-GMAT's structured approach with diagnostics and personalized mentorship. These resources give you a clear gauge of your strengths and weaknesses and provide actionable steps for improvement.
Remember why you started this journey in the first place. If your goal means enough to you, you'll find the strength to push through the challenges. Stay committed to the process, trust in your preparation, and believe in your ability to improve.
I hope my journey inspires you on your GMAT path. Best of luck to all test-takers!
Attachments
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-02 at 19.46.59.jpeg [ 57.02 KiB | Viewed 658 times ]
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-02 at 19.46.31.jpeg [ 48.64 KiB | Viewed 659 times ]
gmat199911club
Joined: 02 May 2025
Last visit: 06 May 2025
Posts: 2
GMAT Focus 1: 735 Q90 V85 DI84 
GPA: 3.9
Products:
06 May 2025, 07:30
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Bookmarks
From 615 to 735: My GMAT Journey to Success
Hello GMAT Club members! I'm excited to share my GMAT journey with you all. I recently scored a 735 on the GMAT with Q90, V85, and D84. My journey started with a modest 615 (Q82, V83, D77) on my first official mock, and through dedicated preparation and strategic approach, I was able to achieve a significant improvement of 120 points.
Initial Challenges and Approach
When I began my GMAT preparation, I knew that Quant was my strength from my school days, but I needed to brush up on many topics. Verbal, however, presented more significant challenges for me - particularly with consistency in my performance. I would often find myself stuck between two answer choices, unsure of which one was correct.
After researching various prep options, I decided to go with e-GMAT for my preparation. Their structured approach and comprehensive resources aligned well with my learning style.
Quant Strategy and Improvement
Despite being relatively comfortable with Quant, I needed to refresh my concepts after years away from mathematics. Here's how I approached it:
Verbal Transformation
Verbal was my biggest challenge, particularly with consistency in performance. Here's how I tackled it:
Data Insights Mastery
DI was a time-pressured section for me, especially since I focused on it later in my preparation:
Mock Test Strategy and Analysis
My mock test journey was crucial to my success:
Test Day Experience
On test day, I followed my proven strategy:
This approach worked perfectly, and I was thrilled to see a 735 flash on the screen!
Key Takeaways and Advice
For fellow GMAT aspirants, here are my most important lessons:
I hope my journey inspires and helps you in your GMAT preparation. Remember, with the right strategy and consistent effort, significant score improvements are achievable. Best of luck to all of you on your GMAT journey!
Hello GMAT Club members! I'm excited to share my GMAT journey with you all. I recently scored a 735 on the GMAT with Q90, V85, and D84. My journey started with a modest 615 (Q82, V83, D77) on my first official mock, and through dedicated preparation and strategic approach, I was able to achieve a significant improvement of 120 points.
Initial Challenges and Approach
When I began my GMAT preparation, I knew that Quant was my strength from my school days, but I needed to brush up on many topics. Verbal, however, presented more significant challenges for me - particularly with consistency in my performance. I would often find myself stuck between two answer choices, unsure of which one was correct.
After researching various prep options, I decided to go with e-GMAT for my preparation. Their structured approach and comprehensive resources aligned well with my learning style.
Quant Strategy and Improvement
Despite being relatively comfortable with Quant, I needed to refresh my concepts after years away from mathematics. Here's how I approached it:
- Leveraging the PACE Engine: This feature was a game-changer for me. The diagnostic quizzes at the beginning of each module helped identify which concepts I could skip and which ones I needed to focus on. This saved me over 50 hours of study time!
- Focus on Process Skills: Rather than just working through problems, I concentrated on developing proper problem-solving techniques that allowed me to approach any question systematically.
- Cementing Quizzes: These helped solidify my understanding and application of concepts. My accuracy on hard algebra questions improved from 67% to 80%, while my timing improved from 3:36 to 2:36 per question.
- Quality Practice Questions: The questions in Scholaranium were either at par or more difficult than what I encountered on the actual GMAT, which prepared me well for test day.
Verbal Transformation
Verbal was my biggest challenge, particularly with consistency in performance. Here's how I tackled it:
- Pre-thinking in CR: Initially, I thought pre-thinking was a waste of time. However, as my preparation progressed, I realized that spending those extra 15-20 seconds before looking at the answer choices actually helped me eliminate incorrect options more quickly. This became a crucial part of my strategy.
- Reading Comprehension Approach: My strategy was to read the passage in detail and understand it fully before moving to the questions, rather than skimming and then returning to the text. With practice, my focus and comprehension improved significantly.
- Consistent Practice: I completed numerous cementing quizzes and carefully reviewed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. This helped me become more definitive in selecting answers.
Data Insights Mastery
DI was a time-pressured section for me, especially since I focused on it later in my preparation:
- Time Management Challenges: Initially, I struggled with the lengthy questions and limited time. The comprehensive practice in the application files helped me become familiar with different question types.
- Question Familiarity: After practicing thoroughly, I became comfortable with the various question types, which reduced intimidation during the actual exam.
Mock Test Strategy and Analysis
My mock test journey was crucial to my success:
- Initial Mock Shock: My first mock after completing all sections resulted in a disappointing 625, primarily due to poor performance in DI (which I took last when my energy was depleted).
- Section Order Experiment: The next day, I tried a different order (DI-Quant-Verbal) and scored 715, which became my preferred sequence.
- Consistent Performance: After establishing this order, I consistently scored 700+ on mocks, except for two occasions where I scored 675 due to verbal inconsistencies.
Test Day Experience
On test day, I followed my proven strategy:
- I tackled DI first when my focus was sharpest
- Followed with Quant, where I was most confident
- Completed the exam with Verbal
This approach worked perfectly, and I was thrilled to see a 735 flash on the screen!
Key Takeaways and Advice
For fellow GMAT aspirants, here are my most important lessons:
- Find your optimal section order - This made a 90-point difference for me in just one day. Experiment in mocks to discover what works best for you.
- Don't dismiss pre-thinking - The extra seconds spent pre-thinking in CR questions save time in the long run by helping you eliminate wrong answers quickly.
- Leverage diagnostic tools - Features like the PACE engine can save you significant study time by helping you focus on areas that need improvement.
- Practice with challenging questions - Practicing with questions that are at or above the difficulty level of the actual GMAT builds confidence and preparedness.
- Be strategic about your practice - Quality over quantity matters. Focus on understanding concepts thoroughly rather than rushing through practice questions.
I hope my journey inspires and helps you in your GMAT preparation. Remember, with the right strategy and consistent effort, significant score improvements are achievable. Best of luck to all of you on your GMAT journey!
Attachments
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