GMAT 780(Q51 V47 IR7 AWA 5.5) First attempt DEBRIEF

I gave the GMAT on the third of July and would like to share my experience here. I am a senior in Engineering at IIT Roorkee India. I gave the exam primarily because I need it for Stage 2 of the YLP programme of ISB, Hyderabad. So my preparation period was roughly 1.5 months. Needless to say, I was delighted with the result!

I started my preparation in mid May, ordering OG 13. As a start I did the diagnostic test and found that I could do most of the questions. Upon trying the GMATPrep test, I was unable to complete the Quant section. After this, I focused on completing the OG from back to front(Not including AWA). In doing this I found it very useful to TIME myself(since, as stated above, time was a problem for me). Providing that their concepts are already clear,I would urge everyone to do the same, and further, to follow a tighter time schedule than that of the exam. For instance, although you have around 2 min per question in the exam, during prep, you could aim at taking 1.5 minutes per question. If you get used to solving questions in 1.5 minutes, you can breeze through the easier ones, and devote more than 2 minutes, even up to 4 or 5 minutes, when you hit a tough problem. Again, this is for people whose concepts are already clear. If there are questions you have no idea how to solve, you can follow a slower method of preparation. However, in the buildup to the exam, you should practice in this way. Verbal was not much of a problem for me, and the OG provided sufficient practice for me to acquaint myself with all the types of verbal questions. In verbal questions as well, I trained myself to proceed at breakneck speed, spending little time on SC and RC, and more time on the CR.

One week before the GMAT, I started doing a test a day, at the time I was going to take the exam. I eventually found that most tests are slightly tougher than the original- I remember being demoralized by some of my scores, expecting that the original would be tougher. My IR scores were pathetic, owing mainly to time constraints, which led to minor mistakes, which in IR can ruin an entire question.


Tests
GMATPrep 1 720(Q46 V44 IR7)
(I gave the above test around the time I started preparing(May 24). After this, I focused on completing the OG before going on a test taking spree the week before the actual GMAT)
800score 2 770(Q50 V45 IR5)
800score 3 740(Q47 V44 IR2)
Economist 710-730(Q50-51 V38-40)
Manhattan 740(Q47 V45 IR4.43)
800score 4 750(Q48 V45 IR3)
800score 5 730(Q48 V43 IR3)
GMATPrep 2 770(Q50 V44 IR8)

Material
OG 13
I discovered GMATClub very late, but I found it extraordinarily useful. Check out Bunuel's problems, the GMATClub Grammar book etc. They are very useful.

Tips
For those whose concepts are not clear-
After doing the diagnostic test and the first GMATPrep test, identify areas which you need to work on. Spend time studying the topics. Dont stress on speed at this time.
Complete the OG. Time yourself, set progressively harsher targets which you cannot meet to improve your speed. Ideally, bring it to 1.5 min for Quant and 1 for Verbal(for the average 600-700 level question).
Spend time reading the explanations of ALL questions.
After a section of the OG is complete, identify which kinds of questions you got wrong and practice more of them.(For verbal, you can consider looking at the basics, and tips to solve that type of question)
After all that give practice tests at the time you will give your exam( do the AWA and IR as well)

For those whose concepts are clear
You need to focus on accuracy and speed. The OG should do, set harsh time limits and solve the whole book.
Identify problem areas and practice extra.
Do practice tests as above.


About practice tests, they are tougher than the original. Dont stress yourself out with the results, use them to get used to the 3.5 hour marathon and also to get some different questions.

All the best!