From having a vague idea of what the GMAT is to scoring 760

Question

Hello everybody! Here's my case. I've scored 760 (Q49, V44) on the GMAT on Jun.28 2009 and I'm just going to explain what it took me to succeed. But first, a little background information since in my case it may be relevant. I live in Russia in a remote area where generally people have no idea of what MBA is, let alone the GMAT. The point is that in the process of preparation I was doing it all by myself. I mean almost all of you guys are living in an environment where there's a lot of other people doing the same thing (preparing for the GMAT) and you always have the opportunity to discuss the problems you encounter, which wasn't my case.

What did I do to prepare myself for the test.

I've purchased complete online course from the GMAX Online for $399, which is a reasonable price compared to actual physical courses out there. I also bought the OG10 because it wasn't included but was most frequently used during the course. The course itself covers all of the aspects of both verbal and quantitative sections. It consists of a total of 31 lessons with a duration of 2hrs in average. After each of those lessons you have to do a homework which is specifically relevant to the topic of each particular lesson. On average it took me another 2hrs to do a homework. During the course I took three simulation tests, which were included in the package, and upon completion of the course I took another two tests provided by Pearson VUE, creators of the GMAT (available on mba.com for free). Overall it took me two months for preparation. The GMAX course was comprehensive enough, so that no single question on the actual test took me by surprise. I also have managed not to sacrifice any question because of timing and I felt myself confident all through the test. 
To make things clear, the GMAX course can't do magic by itself. I still had to work very hard in the course of preparation. But, like I said before, it covers everything and once you've done everything you're asked to - boom - you're ready for the test. 
Another good thing about taking such kind of online courses is that you can actually save time and patience by skipping some parts of lessons, which contain the information you're familiar with. My major was in engineering so for me a lot of math was piece of cake and I just skipped it. By contrast, when I was taking the TOEFL classes at Kaplan in East Village NY, I was spending 60% of the time in the class listening teacher explaining obvious things to some other student. It was really boring and unproductive although besides of that I'm not saying anything negative about studying at Kaplan. 
To sum up, for those able and willing to work hard the GMAX Online course may be the ultimate tool for getting a good grade at the GMAT.

tispot · Answer

Congratulations!

I hope to get a similar score. I am preparing by myself with the books advised by people on this forum.

Hussain15 · Answer

Though I am new here, but still I dont feel good about this post.

(Admin: Kindly let me know, if I have said anything wrong.)

The test day experience is not mentioned along with different strategies.

Any how!! CONGRATS!!!!!!

Casinoking · Answer

I agree.I am very suspicious about this whole thing, having looked at the structure and the way the post is written.

lahoosaher · Answer

Could you please post the gmatprep / other test scores? how long did you prep....would you like to suggest any prep book(other than "You-Know-Who" :lol:

)

Hussain15 · Answer

Posted from my mobile device

xma · Answer

Initial (pre-preparation) test (the one provided by the GMAX) - 610 (Q47, V27)
Midterm exam (1 month after beginning studying) - 640 (Q45, V33)
Final test (2 months from the beginning) - 690 (Q49, V36)

Overall it took me 2 months to prepare. Don't know anything about books other than GMAT Official Guide 10 and Barron's. I was using parts of Barron's book provided by the GMAX for doing some of my homework, but I didn't particularly like that book so I won't recommend it.

xma · Answer

To be honest with you I've made a post because people from the GMAX asked me to. Before that I didn't know anything about this forum and any other mba forum altogether. BUT what if so? I've taken the course, I've scored 760. I've liked the course and I'd suggest it to anybody. Being suspicious will save money but won't score points.

waiwai · Answer

Considering you scores of around 690 in practice tests, you did well in the actual gmat. congrats !
Any secrets worth revealing ?

xma · Answer

You should have noticed that I've leaped from 690 to 760 mainly because I've made a progress in the Verbal section (Q score remained unchanged). Not much of a secret, I've practiced CR and SC questions a lot the last few days before the test.

waiwai · Answer

Ans where did you practice them from ? :-)

xma · Answer

I'd say that 90% of the time I was working with OG10 (GMAT Official Guide 10th Edition). Occasionally I was using the Barron's book - the one provided by the GMAX.

xma · Answer

I was taking good notes all the time during the lessons. The next day after each lesson I was spending some time reading notes from that lesson. I'd suggest you try that strategy, it should enhance your ability to memorize things. :wink:

bigoyal · Answer

Congrats buddy for the excellent score.

It would have been really appreciated if you had given some tips on GMAT test strategy, for those people who may not be enrolling in GMAX course.

xma · Answer

Old wisdom works, guys: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. I really did practice a lot. While practicing I was paying close attention to the timing. Managing your time is 50% of success, guys, it really is. And one more thing. I was taking simulation tests all through my studies. When I was taking the first one I was really nervous. I was trying more and more. The more I was trying the more comfortable I was getting. Eventually I got used to the format of the test and timing as well. When I was sitting on the actual exam I wasn't nervous at all, my confidence level was high. I stayed concentrated all through the test and in the end I've finished some 1-1.5min ahead on both Quantitative and Verbal sections.

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