Score:V31 Q50 AWA 4.0 IR7(680)
Primary Suggestion- Develop your unique skill sets.
- You are the best one who know your own weaknesses.
- Develop a suitable living style of your own.
- Do not repeat your mistake. Learn from it!
Background InformationI am a Hong Kong student. I received a bachelor degree in computing, and another bachelor degree in management (co-terminal). In secondary school I learnt calculus and linear algebra. Therefore, I focused a bit more on the verbal section in my preparation.
My first attempt was in February 2015. I was given a conditional offer with a fairly low GMAT score. Therefore, I did not prepare GMAT seriously. I only tried to understand the examination format. I eventually score 590(V24 Q47), which is indeed quite bad.
I have been working in an entry position in a HK university. I began picking up the material in May 2015, and I left my position in July for the test in September and my master degree.
My score in 2nd attempt is not strong at all comparing with many friends in GMAT, but my professors (from 2 AACSB-accredited Business School)said it would be strong enough for the universities to consider my application to their PhD programme.
I decided to wrote this after the 2nd attempt in September, but I am not free until now. Okay, I should have shared my experience earlier.
Material used Manhattan GMAT Guide
Kaplan Verbal Workbook
The Official Guide for GMAT Review 2015
Some GMAT preparation textbook from Mainland China
e-GMAT(Verbal + Quantitative + Verbal Scholaranium)
About my 2nd attemptHaving an overall band IELTS score of 7, I thought that my English language ability was not too weak. But it was wrong. V24 was a below-average score. Therefore, I put my focus on verbal. (but not ignoring Quantitative)
For there are 3 parts of verbal, I made used of the Diagnostic test in
the Official Guide, and learnt that I got stuck in Reading Comprehension. RC became my first part to attack.
I used a notebook(not a laptop) to write down the mistake I made, When there were some free time, I opened it and read it.
Reading ComprehensionI spent a week on the RC part of Kaplan Verbal Workbook. Then I finished 1 chapter of the
Manhattan GMAT Guide (RC) for 1-2 days. Initially I still needed to go to work and other activities, therefore the pace was relatively slower.
You absolutely need to develop your own set of skills. You are the best who know your own weaknesses. Attack it!
I watch some GMAT tutorial in Youtube a few days before the test. When you are too devoted to a set of material, you may get lost, and may need the help of another set of material.
I am fairly impatient, so I don’t like RC very much. Anyway, the basic rules for me to take notes for each paragraph. If you are rush, at least, read the 1st and the last sentence of each paragraph. It will be helpful for your POE, and increase the chance of getting it right.
Critical ReasoningIMPORTANT : Be responsive to most, if not all of the details provided. For those who are related to only some of the detail, it’s very likely to be wrong.
I often draw some box and arrow diagram to indicate the cause and consequences / effect. It will give you a clearer picture.
Last but not least - pre-think an assumption. It will brings you to the right track to the right answer.
Sentence CorrectionFirst important step - Compare the difference and do POE. After POE, you can find the answer more easily.
Sometimes there can be 2 answers correct, but only one aligns with the GMAT grammar and retains the original meaning, which is the only correct answer. GMAT grammar may need your practice the most. You need to memorize the standard of them. Put your own style aside first.
AWAI would paraphrase a bit their points first, and then attack point by point. In some Chinese GMAT forum, people often talked about “7 sins” in GMAT AWA, which are,
No cause-and-consequence effect
Insufficient-sample
False analogy
Fallacy of “all things are equal”.
Either-Or choice
Survey is doubtful
Gratuitous assumption
I attack the passage based on these 7 points.
Integrated ReasoningI did not have any specific tips in this part. Just do not be repetitive in your work. You should be able to spot the key quickly. Work smart is better than work hard.
Ups and Downs during your preparation.I once did a mock test with V40 Q49(720), which was exciting. But later my performance was just falling. It is possible that in your next attempt your score may even decrease. A few days before the test day, I even score only 650 in the GMATClub.com mock test. I was scared and even planned to apply for the next time.
BUT,as I said , never give up! It is possible to have miracle.
Adjust your living habitSay goodbye temporarily to those who does not share similar living habit with you, at least before the test day!
You will always feel lonely. Because not many people will do a Ph.D in business and MBA, or a GMAT test. They do not know what you are doing, or they will feel what you do are meaningless. Being too close with these people may slow down your pace, and than lower down your score.
The misunderstanding of your family members may be the most painful. Try to explain a bit more to them. If needed, just go to the library.
Train yourself - I found a fitness coach to have lesson with me weekly. It was a good way to release your pressure and you will have better willpower.
Spend the $$ that are worthy to spend, no matter it is printing the notes, buying the books or subscribing the online course. You will be rewarded finally.
Advice On the test dayMy test was in the morning.
Remember to have your breakfast before going to the venue.
After reporting, drink some water. Before entering the examination room, go to the toilet. All these is to keep you more awake while you will not want to go to toilet in the midway of the test. (Do similar in the break)
During the test, do not give up no matter how poor your feeling were. If you really really think you have got a failure, treat this time as a mock test. Given the adaptive mechanism of GMAT, they always gives you challenging questions. They intends to give up very intensive tasks. Even you have a hard feeling, maybe you have already reached the area of high score.
Try to finish all questions. As told in other post, leaving some questions unattempted can seriously harm your score.
During the optional break, I did push-up in the corridor. I made used of that to keep my self awake. I think it works if you are not get used to sit in front of the computer for 4 hours.
Do not scream even if you found that GMATClub helped you a lot. (No joking, I almost scream when I saw 680.)
GMAT is not the only thing.You need to prepare other applications documents and find a good referee. You may also need to prepare IELTS or TOEFL.