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17 Jul 2024, 23:59
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Hello everyone,
I’m Karthik, and I recently achieved a 685 on the GMAT Focus Edition, a score I am incredibly proud of. My journey began with a modest 490 on my initial GMAT Classic mock test, and through hard work, strategic planning, and the right resources, I managed to elevate my score to the 97th percentile.
Here’s a detailed account of my journey that I hope will inspire and guide you all.
My GMAT journey began with a diagnostic test score of 490, with Q32 and V36. Seeing this score was a wake-up call, revealing just how little I knew about the GMAT’s concepts. It served as a crucial baseline, highlighting the vast room for improvement in both the Quant and Verbal sections.
The Turning Point: Discovering e-GMAT
Everything changed in October when a friend recommended the e-GMAT course to me. Intrigued, I enrolled and was immediately struck by how the platform personalized a study plan based on my initial score. This plan gave structure to my preparation, something I desperately needed. The video lessons were particularly impactful, breaking down complex concepts into manageable chunks. Unlike traditional study materials, e-GMAT’s engaging video approach significantly enhanced my understanding and retention, setting a strong foundation for my entire GMAT journey.
Verbal: Climbing from 43rd to 98th Percentile
I decided to tackle the Verbal section first, the video lessons were a game-changer, making difficult concepts easy to digest.
The course introduced me to techniques like pre thinking in Critical Reasoning and advanced reading strategies in Reading Comprehension. These techniques helped me tackle even the toughest questions by incorporating skills such as pause points, summarization, and visualization.
Initially, I doubted my ability to improve my low verbal score. However, after thoroughly going through the modules and completing the cementing stage—focused practice on medium and hard GMAT-style questions—I knew I was on the right path. My accuracy for hard questions reached 70% in both CR and RC, significantly boosting my confidence and confirming my progress.
Quant: Overcoming My Biggest Challenge
Quant was my biggest challenge. Despite having a math background, I struggled with the GMAT’s quant concepts and often felt overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. However, the e-GMAT course introduced me to process skills which transformed my approach.
I revisited every fundamental concept, ensuring a solid grasp of the basics before progressing to advanced topics. Initially, I lacked confidence in my quant skills, but the Scholaranium quizzes were invaluable in teaching me to manage my time effectively. At first, I often ran out of time or rushed through questions, leading to mistakes. However, through consistent practice, I learned to solve questions accurately within the allotted timeframe, significantly improving my performance.
The most critical aspect of my progress in Quant was the strategic review I conducted after each cementing quiz. This process helped me identify the root causes of my mistakes. I realized that it wasn't just "silly mistakes." To truly push the boundaries, I had to deep dive and determine whether the issues stemmed from conceptual gaps, process flaws, or behavioral patterns. This thorough analysis was key to my improvement and success.
DI: Embracing a New Challenge
Transitioning from GMAT Classic to GMAT Focus introduced the new DI section, which initially felt daunting. The verbal questions in DI were particularly challenging as they required a different approach compared to traditional quant problems. However, the course broke down the DI questions into understandable parts, making them seem less intimidating.
The course’s inclusion of verbal DI questions in the practice materials was crucial. At first, these questions confused me, but the video lessons and detailed explanations helped me understand how they were framed and how to tackle them effectively. With consistent practice and careful analysis, I learned to approach these questions with confidence. By the end of my preparation, what once seemed like the most difficult section had become one of the easiest for me.
The Last Mile Push
I was also a part of the Last Mile Push program, which made a significant difference in my prep. I was given clear 13 milestones with metrics that I had to achieve for every section and sectional tests, and mocks by my mentor Abha. Achieving the milestones gave me a sense of victory and helped me get to my target score in a much more predictable way. Initially, while I did the CR course, I still had a bit of struggle in CR cementing. My mentor devised a more specific topic-wise plan focusing on Inference and Boldface type of questions, as these came out as my weak areas. Once I fixed them, I was good with CR Hard questions.
Test Day Strategy
On test day, maintaining a calm and clear mind was crucial. I started with the Quant section, took a break after completing it, and then proceeded to Verbal and DI. This break was vital in resetting my focus, especially after a challenging Quant section.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
1. Start with a Diagnostic Test: Understand your baseline score to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Structured Learning: Use comprehensive resources like e-GMAT that offer video lessons and interactive tools.
3. Consistent Practice: Regular practice is essential. Focus on timed practice to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Strategic Breaks: Take strategic breaks during the test to clear your mind and maintain focus.
5. Can-Do Attitude: Believe in your ability to improve. With the right mindset and resources, significant score improvements are achievable.
My journey from 490 to 685 was filled with challenges, but it was the structured approach and consistent effort that made the difference. I hope my story encourages you to persevere and believe in your potential. Good luck to all future GMAT test-takers!
Best regards,
Karthik
I’m Karthik, and I recently achieved a 685 on the GMAT Focus Edition, a score I am incredibly proud of. My journey began with a modest 490 on my initial GMAT Classic mock test, and through hard work, strategic planning, and the right resources, I managed to elevate my score to the 97th percentile.
Here’s a detailed account of my journey that I hope will inspire and guide you all.
My GMAT journey began with a diagnostic test score of 490, with Q32 and V36. Seeing this score was a wake-up call, revealing just how little I knew about the GMAT’s concepts. It served as a crucial baseline, highlighting the vast room for improvement in both the Quant and Verbal sections.
The Turning Point: Discovering e-GMAT
Everything changed in October when a friend recommended the e-GMAT course to me. Intrigued, I enrolled and was immediately struck by how the platform personalized a study plan based on my initial score. This plan gave structure to my preparation, something I desperately needed. The video lessons were particularly impactful, breaking down complex concepts into manageable chunks. Unlike traditional study materials, e-GMAT’s engaging video approach significantly enhanced my understanding and retention, setting a strong foundation for my entire GMAT journey.
Verbal: Climbing from 43rd to 98th Percentile
I decided to tackle the Verbal section first, the video lessons were a game-changer, making difficult concepts easy to digest.
The course introduced me to techniques like pre thinking in Critical Reasoning and advanced reading strategies in Reading Comprehension. These techniques helped me tackle even the toughest questions by incorporating skills such as pause points, summarization, and visualization.
Initially, I doubted my ability to improve my low verbal score. However, after thoroughly going through the modules and completing the cementing stage—focused practice on medium and hard GMAT-style questions—I knew I was on the right path. My accuracy for hard questions reached 70% in both CR and RC, significantly boosting my confidence and confirming my progress.
Quant: Overcoming My Biggest Challenge
Quant was my biggest challenge. Despite having a math background, I struggled with the GMAT’s quant concepts and often felt overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. However, the e-GMAT course introduced me to process skills which transformed my approach.
I revisited every fundamental concept, ensuring a solid grasp of the basics before progressing to advanced topics. Initially, I lacked confidence in my quant skills, but the Scholaranium quizzes were invaluable in teaching me to manage my time effectively. At first, I often ran out of time or rushed through questions, leading to mistakes. However, through consistent practice, I learned to solve questions accurately within the allotted timeframe, significantly improving my performance.
The most critical aspect of my progress in Quant was the strategic review I conducted after each cementing quiz. This process helped me identify the root causes of my mistakes. I realized that it wasn't just "silly mistakes." To truly push the boundaries, I had to deep dive and determine whether the issues stemmed from conceptual gaps, process flaws, or behavioral patterns. This thorough analysis was key to my improvement and success.
DI: Embracing a New Challenge
Transitioning from GMAT Classic to GMAT Focus introduced the new DI section, which initially felt daunting. The verbal questions in DI were particularly challenging as they required a different approach compared to traditional quant problems. However, the course broke down the DI questions into understandable parts, making them seem less intimidating.
The course’s inclusion of verbal DI questions in the practice materials was crucial. At first, these questions confused me, but the video lessons and detailed explanations helped me understand how they were framed and how to tackle them effectively. With consistent practice and careful analysis, I learned to approach these questions with confidence. By the end of my preparation, what once seemed like the most difficult section had become one of the easiest for me.
The Last Mile Push
I was also a part of the Last Mile Push program, which made a significant difference in my prep. I was given clear 13 milestones with metrics that I had to achieve for every section and sectional tests, and mocks by my mentor Abha. Achieving the milestones gave me a sense of victory and helped me get to my target score in a much more predictable way. Initially, while I did the CR course, I still had a bit of struggle in CR cementing. My mentor devised a more specific topic-wise plan focusing on Inference and Boldface type of questions, as these came out as my weak areas. Once I fixed them, I was good with CR Hard questions.
Test Day Strategy
On test day, maintaining a calm and clear mind was crucial. I started with the Quant section, took a break after completing it, and then proceeded to Verbal and DI. This break was vital in resetting my focus, especially after a challenging Quant section.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
1. Start with a Diagnostic Test: Understand your baseline score to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Structured Learning: Use comprehensive resources like e-GMAT that offer video lessons and interactive tools.
3. Consistent Practice: Regular practice is essential. Focus on timed practice to improve speed and accuracy.
4. Strategic Breaks: Take strategic breaks during the test to clear your mind and maintain focus.
5. Can-Do Attitude: Believe in your ability to improve. With the right mindset and resources, significant score improvements are achievable.
My journey from 490 to 685 was filled with challenges, but it was the structured approach and consistent effort that made the difference. I hope my story encourages you to persevere and believe in your potential. Good luck to all future GMAT test-takers!
Best regards,
Karthik
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