From 555 to 675 on GMAT Focus with TTP

Question

I'd like to give a quick debrief of my GMAT Focus journey and provide some helpful tips for anyone seeking a high score.

To give some background, I am typically very strong verbally and usually weaker quantitatively on standardized tests, so hearing about the quant on the GMAT I was quite nervous at the beginning.

These worries were warranted. After studying for about a month and a half using official materials and YouTube videos, I got a 555 on the GMAT Focus, with 35th percentile quant, 66th percentile on DI, and 71st percentile in verbal. I believe my verbal score mainly suffered because of the stress and anxiety that came from my lack of performance on the other sections. Either way, I felt like a chicken running around with its head cut off on the quant.

I honestly felt lost and a little hopeless after getting these results, but I was determined to reach my target score so I didn't give up. After looking around the market for a course, I eventually decided to give Target Test Prep (TTP) a shot. I did their 3-day free trial and was already seeing a big improvement, so I committed to doing the course all the way through.

4 months later, with over 280 hours logged in the TTP course, I just achieved my target score of 675 (96th percentile overall), with 100th percentile verbal, 71st percentile quant, and 79th percentile DI. Here are some tips and insights I would like to pass along:
 
 Just because you may be weak in either verbal or quant does not mean you can't get your target score. By crushing it in your strong area (90th to 100th percentile), and getting a pretty good score in your weaker areas (70th+ percentile), you can get a very competitive overall score. 
 TTP is amazingly thorough and will prepare you for everything you need to get your target score. FOLLOW IT EXACTLY. Do not stray from the study plan they give you. I've seen some complaints about TTP on Reddit and I would be genuinely curious to see if those people actually put in the work and did what TTP told them to do—I'm guessing they didn't and they're looking for someone to blame. Be accountable and trust TTP's process! 
 TTP's methodology is brilliant. They focus first on accuracy, and not speed. As they say, the speed comes with time. This ended up being very true for me. 
 The TTP course is LONG. If you are already getting a 90th+ percentile in a certain section I would try not to spend as much time on that section as you do on your other, weaker areas. 
 TTP tutors are great as well if you need extra help. One problem I was having towards the end was confidence with my quant. I was able to work with Jeff Miller, a TTP instructor, for a few weeks and he really helped tighten up my quant and increase my confidence before test day. I would recommend doing this if you have the means and would like some personalized help. 
 The only thing I would do outside TTP is buy the official GMAT Focus question bank on MBA.com. Do all these problems in the last few weeks before your test. Remember that TTP's questions aren't official ones, but they are close. It does help to get familiar with the official ones.  
Lastly, I would say you can achieve anything you put your mind to! Getting this score took me a lot longer than I had originally hoped, but the most important thing I did was not give up and put in tons of reps. Be resilient and don't give up! Believe in yourself!

Good luck!

T4Star · Answer

Wow, congratulations! Amazing score! And killed it with that 100 percentile verbal! All the best with your applications

Posted from my mobile device

poojaarora1818 · Answer

Hi,

Amazing score and great performance. I wish you all the best for the future applications. I have a question do you feel that the official mock scores are slightly inflated by some percentage and it is difficult to score high in the real test? As I am a current gmat aspirant your feedback is valuable to me.

Thanks!

averagedude23 · Answer

I actually think the official practice test scores accurately reflect the real test, having taken 8 practice tests and the real one 3 times. One thing to keep in mind is that due to many variables (test topics, stress, energy, etc.) there can large score swings from one test to another. For example, I actually scored just 635 on an official practice test a week before getting a 675 on the real one. However, I had got a 695 and 675 on other official practice tests so I had a good idea of my abilities.

For these reasons, I would plan on taking the real test  at least  two times.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Great score, and a great debrief!!
I wish you all the best on your applications!

poojaarora1818 · Answer

averagedude23  Thanks again for the amazing debrief and your response to my query. I wish you all the best for your future application process. I hope that you may get admitted to your dream school.

Thank you!

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

From 555 to 675 on GMAT Focus with TTP

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards