Dear All First of all i want to thank all forum members for their wonderful support in this forum.And of-course special thanks to BB & Bunuel. After a long journey of more than 2 years i finally ended up with a decent GMAT Score. I took my test on 14th Nov 2012 and I am happy with my recent score. Take 1 : 600 (Q47, V26) AWA 5.0 (Oct'10) Take 2 : 540 (Q45, V19) AWA 4.5 (Dec'10) Take 3 : 580 (Q48, V23) AWA 4.5 IR 5 (Jul'12) Take 4 : 710 (Q49, V40) AWA/IR Awaited I don't want to discuss about my first 2 attempts. The summary is - I was not prepared fully for GMAT and only used OG 12 & few MGMAT Verbal books for my preparation. I prepared for only 2-3 months and i knew that my prep was not sufficient. After that I took a break for 1 year. Take 3 : Started my prep once again in around Feb 2012. I took a local GMAT coaching class too. I knew my weakness was my verbal part. I was moderately good on Quant side, so did not bothered to devote much time in Quant. I focused 80% of my study towards Verbal. Test Prep Materials Used: 1. OG 13 2. MGMAT SC, CR, RC 3. Powerscore CR Bible 4. Kaplan 800 6. Grockit ( I almost solved 7000+ Question in Grockit) My XP is 56660 7. 4GMAT material (local coaching centre) : Quant is quite good and teachers are also good in quant. MOCK Tests: GMAT prep1.0 1: 650 (48, 32) MGMAT 2 : 690 (46,38) MGMAT 3 : 680 (47, 36) MGMAT 4: 670 (46, 35) (Taken at office) MGMAT 5: 710 (49, 38) MGMAT 6: 720 (47, 41) GMAT prep2.0 1: 700 (48,38) IR 5 GMAT Prep2.0 2: 680 (48,35) IR 8 GMAT prep2.0 Retake 720 (50,37) IR 7 But in real GMAT on 25th July 2012 I scored a dismal 580 (48, 23). And I attribute that failure to my sleepless night before Test day. I could not sleep for a minute that night due to intense anxiety. It happened in my 2nd attempt too. My test was scheduled on 9.00 AM and during the test i was feeling as if I was having a hangover with severe headache. Some how I tried to concentrate on the exam but could not do my best. Quant questions were moderate and I was able to answer properly. Got 2 Question on probability and 1 on combination. I thought I was doing good. In verbal I could not concentrate after first 10-15 Questions. I was feeling that I should finish the exam as soon as possible. And i was picking up answer quickly without applying the strategies I learned during my studies. I could not concentrate on RCs (2 from social sciences). I felt they were much convoluted with heavy words. I did not felt any difficulties with timing both in Q/V parts. I was pretty down after my 3rd attempt. I came back home and posted my 1st post on GC forum that day. From then I am following this forum very actively and started solving/sharing thoughts on GC questions. And on the same day I subscribed for e-gmat verbal live course and started once again my preparation for 4th attempt. Takeaways from 3rd attempts : 1. A good sleep is much more important before the Test 2. For increasing Q score beyond 47-48 is to nail down much more DS question. I was quite good with PS. I almost solved all PS Qs in GMAT Prep Mocks. I used to get 10-12 Qs wrong in Quant and almost all are DS. 3. For Verbal I need some quite good strategy to crack RCs (unfamiliar topics: For me social sciences) Take 4: This time I booked my test slot in afternoon session ie 1.00 PM Test Prep Materials 1. OG 13 (Focused heavily on Official verbal questions) 2. e-gmat Verbal Live 3. GC Tests (I am lucky to collect 25 Kudos in 15 days after i started participating in forum) 4. Gmatprep Verbal RC/CR/SC Questions collection by Souvik101990 (Thanks bro for this awesome collection). 5. GC forum questions (Thanks to Bunuel, Evajager, Gurpreet, piyatiwari and all for their incredible contribution) 6. Took only 3 mocks (MGMAT 1A: 710, Q49,V38) Veritas1: 660 (Q49, V35) GMATPrep 1:720 (Q49,V39) After I subscribed to E-gmat course I realized my shortfalls in my verbal strategy. The course was very very helpful to bring up my V23 score to V40. And I would fully attribute my verbal success to e-gmat. A ton of thanks to the ace teachers of e-gmat (Rajat, Payal & Shraddha) for putting up their efforts in this forum too. I got everything I needed to crack SC and RC (the RC strategy worked very well with me). Knowledge of sentence structure & attacking SC question by splitting the clauses was the key in improving on SC. To get a good sleep before the exam I had to cheat my brain this time. The evening before the test day I went to a long Jog and did 100 squats. Leg muscles are quite large muscle and i know if i can give a good stretch on those i will get a good sleep due to fatigue. Somehow I managed to sleep 4-5 hours in early morning hours. I woke up at 9.30 AM and i was feeling very good. Took some good food and headed towards Test center. Test Day Experience Take 4: AWA was quite normal and i could manage to utilize the strategy of chineseburned. IR has bombed me with back to back MSR Question from 2nd question onward. It look a lot of my time and i had to guess a lot. I think I did very bad in IR and will end up in poor score. One of my concern right now. Quant was very good almost like GMAT Prep Questions. Most of the question on number properties, ratio, percentage, statistics. Got 1 DS prob & 1 Combination. And few Geometry questions. I could not solve last two questions due to insufficient time. But the questions were very easy. I utilized my breaks quite well with a banana and some glucose water, washed my face and stretched my self a bit ti increase the blood circulation. Now Comes the verbal: Started with 2-3 SC questions and then CR. Initial questions were easy ones and I just followed the e-gmat strategy to solve all verbal questions. I did not bothered what is right. I just made sure i strictly apply the strategies learned through e-gmat. I was not searching the right answer, rather i was eliminating the wrong ones. (This is the key in verbal portion). This time I went very smoothly with first 3 RCS and i was very confident about the answers. The strategy for RC was to comprehend the passage-answer few basic questions to myself (what is the authors point, what is the inference, how diff paras support each other) and attack the questions. While answering i did not look at option and rather pre-thought the correct answer and then POE. This time I got 2-3 difficult SCs- the structure was so complicated/awkward that i could not get the meaning of sentence. CR was pretty straight forward with 3-4 Strengthen Qs, 1 Evaluate, 2 weaken Qs, 1 Assumption and few complete the passage. I did not face any BF Qs. I got my last RC at 34th question and it was a short one. I had 8 mins to go. I kept myself cool and did not bothered about the remaining time. After that 2 easy SC and 3 CRs. I just finished in time. Did the survey and clicked to report the score. I saw a 710 with 40 on verbal. I was just shocked and quickly went out to take my unofficial score card. Only few suggestions from my side: 1. Good sleep is most important factor before the Test Day. Make sure you get a good sleep by anyhow. 2. Keep cool during the exam and always try to apply the strategies you learned in your studies. 3. Don't start preparation with OG. First make your base and then hit OG. Good quality Verbal questions are rare. 4. And please don't waste time and break your head on un-official questions from unreliable sources. This will waste your precious time. I am extremely sorry for my poor english and this long post. Please feel free to post any question. I will try my best to answer those.

Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 09:16

It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 09:16

Toolkit

Share GMAT Experience

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Nov 20
UCR MBA Impact - Live Q&A with UCR AdCom & Student
07:30 AM PST
-
08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 22
GMAT RC Masterclass
11:00 AM IST
-
01:00 PM IST
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence Excel in timed test environment
Nov 23
Conquer Algebra on the GMAT Focus Edition
11:00 AM IST
-
01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease.
Nov 25
Try OnDemand GMAT Masterclass
10:00 AM EST
-
11:00 AM EST
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.

Back to Forum

Create Topic

From 600-540-580-710 (Finally achieved in 4th Attempt)

1 2

gurpreetsingh

Joined: 12 Oct 2009

Last visit: 15 Jun 2019

Posts: 2,272

Own Kudos:

3,915

Given Kudos: 235

Status:<strong>Nothing comes easy: neither do I want.</strong>

Location: Malaysia

Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship

Schools: ISB '15 (M)

GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Products:

Schools: ISB '15 (M)

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Posts: 2,272

Kudos: 3,915

06 Dec 2012, 19:41

Kudos

Bookmarks

carcass

This is great. Fantastic. stunning

It shows your endurance

personally speaking I do not believe in Gmat in 1 or 2 months (well the score of course are true but are really few cases)

Those are the stories I love to hear

Congratulations

I Second that. You may read my debrief and follow this link ( do read from beginning) : how-to-practice-og-questions-143475.html#p1151236

We must design are own strategy !!

ziko

Joined: 28 Feb 2012

Last visit: 29 Jan 2014

Posts: 91

Own Kudos:

217

Given Kudos: 17

Concentration: Strategy, International Business

Schools: INSEAD Jan '13

GPA: 3.9

WE:Marketing (Other)

Schools: INSEAD Jan '13

Posts: 91

Kudos: 217

07 Dec 2012, 02:18

Kudos

Bookmarks

SOURH7WK,

Congratulation on your success! I was reading your story and compared with mine and found many similarities. I also took gmat 3 time and still could not achieve my target (560, 590, 580) and right now planning to take 4th time and really hope that i can repeat your way!
My biggest problem is also verbal, i really strugle to improve the score and after your post start thinking on taking e-gmat course, could you suggest whether it is possible to finish their course in 1 month, i have read that they also offer (it is included in the course) 5 CATs, is this cat exam with maths, i ask because i thought that e-gmat concentrates only on verbal part.

Thanks in advance.

agdimple333

Joined: 24 Mar 2011

Last visit: 13 Aug 2013

Posts: 226

Own Kudos:

805

Given Kudos: 20

Location: Texas

Posts: 226

Kudos: 805

10 Dec 2012, 11:42

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congratulations, Great improvement on verbal.

I am having terrible time with verbal score.. stays in low 20s.

rajeevrks27

Retired Moderator

Joined: 26 Aug 2011

Last visit: 24 Jan 2016

Posts: 507

Own Kudos:

997

Given Kudos: 264

Status:Enjoying the GMAT journey....

Location: India

Posts: 507

Kudos: 997

13 Dec 2012, 21:49

Kudos

Bookmarks

SOURH7WK

For RC: I was always looking for some strategy that can help me with RC. I almost exhausted all resource materials. Finally Ron's(one of e-gmat instructor) strategy suited me and helped me out. I was amazed with the increment with my accuracy from 60-65% to 85%+ in gmatprep Q collections. I already mentioned my strategy in my debrief. With just one strategy things changed a lot for me. And that was cover the answer choices and answer the question from own understanding followed by a POE.

A correction here: Ron is from mgmat and not from egmat.
i agree that his strategy of prethinking the main idea and then following POE is an effective one.
cheers.

roygush

Joined: 01 Sep 2012

Last visit: 28 Jun 2015

Posts: 113

Own Kudos:

738

Given Kudos: 19

Schools: Kenan-Flagler '17 (A) Kelley '17 (A) Duke '17 (A) Johnson '16 (A)

Posts: 113

Kudos: 738

14 Dec 2012, 00:37

Kudos

Bookmarks

rajeevrks27

SOURH7WK

A correction here: Ron is from mgmat and not from egmat.
i agree that his strategy of prethinking the main idea and then following POE is an effective one.
cheers.

Can you guys provide a link to Ron's RC strategy?
thanks

SOURH7WK

Joined: 15 Jun 2010

Last visit: 03 Aug 2022

Posts: 241

Own Kudos:

1,278

Given Kudos: 50

Concentration: Marketing

GPA: 3.2

WE 1: 7 Yrs in Automobile (Commercial Vehicle industry)

Products:

Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Darden '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D) Duke '15 (D)

Posts: 241

Kudos: 1,278

14 Dec 2012, 04:27

Kudos

Bookmarks

rajeevrks27

SOURH7WK

A correction here: Ron is from mgmat and not from egmat.
i agree that his strategy of prethinking the main idea and then following POE is an effective one.
cheers.

Hi rajeev!!!
you are correct. But, there is another Ron who took classes for e-gmat from Arizona. He is from testprepaz.com

SOURH7WK

Joined: 15 Jun 2010

Last visit: 03 Aug 2022

Posts: 241

Own Kudos:

1,278

Given Kudos: 50

Concentration: Marketing

GPA: 3.2

WE 1: 7 Yrs in Automobile (Commercial Vehicle industry)

Products:

Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Darden '15 (D) Tuck '15 (D) Duke '15 (D)

Posts: 241

Kudos: 1,278

14 Dec 2012, 04:32

Kudos

Bookmarks

gurpreetsingh

Hard work will eventually be paid !!

Very nice score on verbal but 710 with q49 and v40 is not common. I got 710 with Q50 and V 35. 5 verbal points vs 1 quant is weird. WIth this breakup you should have got 730 at least or you should have scored less than 49 on quant to score 710 with V40.

NVM.... congrats for your achievement and good luck for appls... which schools have u finalized

Hi Gurpreet!!
I agree that my score is pretty less in comparison to the Q/V split. I think I have missed few questions initially which might have pulled down my overall score. Otherwise i don't know how to attribute that low overall score.

gurpreetsingh

Joined: 12 Oct 2009

Last visit: 15 Jun 2019

Posts: 2,272

Own Kudos:

3,915

Given Kudos: 235

Status:<strong>Nothing comes easy: neither do I want.</strong>

Location: Malaysia

Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship

Schools: ISB '15 (M)

GMAT 1: 670 Q49 V31 Verified score

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Products:

Schools: ISB '15 (M)

GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Posts: 2,272

Kudos: 3,915

20 Dec 2012, 00:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

SOURH7WK

gurpreetsingh

It is a party time

so where are you applying !!

sahil2441

Joined: 30 Sep 2012

Last visit: 28 Feb 2014

Posts: 28

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 30

GMAT 1: 710 Q50 V35 Verified score

Posts: 28

Kudos: 10

19 Jan 2013, 07:49

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congrats! Thanks for a great debrief.
Excellent Score!

mahmudku

Joined: 05 Jul 2013

Last visit: 22 Dec 2013

Posts: 1

Given Kudos: 3

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

08 Jul 2013, 12:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congratz man!!! how can I improve my writing? any suggestion
?

1 2

Moderator:

Founder

42385 posts

Prep Toolkit

Announcements

Master in Management, Finance, Business Analytics and more Master’s Programs!

Live Profile Evaluation Chat Session with ARINGO

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
09:00 am PDT | 10:30 pm IST
Location: GMAT Club Chat

Top GMAT Focus Debriefs

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	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 600-540-580-710 (Finally achieved in 4th Attempt)

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