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sudharshan931
Joined: 22 Jul 2018
Last visit: 14 Dec 2018
Posts: 8
Given Kudos: 18
Status:Applying for R1
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: ISB '18 NUS '20 (D) Kenan-Flagler '20
GMAT 1: 680 Q49 V32
GPA: 3.45
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Products:
31 Jul 2018, 09:36
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello people!
So, I wrote my GMAT on December 20, 2017, and scored a 680 (Q49 V32 IR7 AWA5), this was my 1st attempt at this beast. I managed to do this in just 20 days. I don't consider this score representative of my best capacity but I hope this might come in handy for anyone who wants to write it in short notice for deadlines etc.
As many Indians here on the forum might know, I had to write CAT for Indian admissions on the Nov 26 2017, and then immediately had to start studying for GMAT as I wanted to magically meet my R2 deadline for ISB. I started studying Dec 1 and in a week I booked my date for December 15 out of overconfidence. I actually had to pay the 50$ to push the exam later to 20th December. Overconfidence is painful indeed.
I started with the Diagnostic test, and I got a meagre 610 on the free Veritas prep. I saw that I was horrible at Sentence Correction. My RC accuracy was pretty decent, CR also needed work. Coming from India, I didn't have to worry much about my math score, so I didn't focus on it at all through my prep. It was clear that my first target should be to massively ramp up my SC accuracy
For SC I used the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guide and Aristotle SC Grail. Honestly with the limited time in hand, I felt I couldn't complete Manhattan, hence the SC Grail came so in handy. I was able to finish it up fast, and soon as I started seeing the pattern my accuracy went up from 30-40% to around 70%
CR - I relied on Powerscore's book, but I largely think it did not help me much, not to harm the validity of the book in any way. It just did not work for me, ended up confusing me because I think my logical ability for CR was already present. In retrospect I feel more practice would've helped, I only worked out the Manhattan CR Questions, OG
RC, Quant - I did not touch the GMAT material at all, since I'd just prepared for the gruelling CAT. CAT's Quant was enough I felt. RC I found the material to not add much insight, I practiced the OG though.
Exam Outcome: I walked into the Pearson venue, all nervous. But the process was done so smooth. Verbal was first - I think I got very panicky, managed my time a little shabbily (I had a few questions unmarked)
Takeaways:
1. Work on your timing the most. Practice always timed, use the GMAT Timer. Think of it as the real deal
2. OG!!! Worship the books. I wish I revered the book a lot. Read the wrong answers, and definitely read the solutions for the RIGHT ones. Helps a ton in shaping your thought process for the test!
3. SC gives the maximum results in a short span of time. Work on it first! - especially for non-native speakers
4. Go for the GMATPrep tests early. I made the mistake of taking it last - I got a 700 which was close to what I ended up getting - 680. But aim to finish all the 6 official tests
Tests
Veritas Free - 620
Manhattan Free - 660
Economist Test - 650
GMATPrep 1 - 700
GMATPrep 2 - 690
Materials
Manhattan for Verbal
Powerscore CR
Aristotle SC Grail
Oh btw I had the GMATClub tests access for free since it was a major holiday. I loved! 100% best source for Quant tests.
So, I wrote my GMAT on December 20, 2017, and scored a 680 (Q49 V32 IR7 AWA5), this was my 1st attempt at this beast. I managed to do this in just 20 days. I don't consider this score representative of my best capacity but I hope this might come in handy for anyone who wants to write it in short notice for deadlines etc.
As many Indians here on the forum might know, I had to write CAT for Indian admissions on the Nov 26 2017, and then immediately had to start studying for GMAT as I wanted to magically meet my R2 deadline for ISB. I started studying Dec 1 and in a week I booked my date for December 15 out of overconfidence. I actually had to pay the 50$ to push the exam later to 20th December. Overconfidence is painful indeed.
I started with the Diagnostic test, and I got a meagre 610 on the free Veritas prep. I saw that I was horrible at Sentence Correction. My RC accuracy was pretty decent, CR also needed work. Coming from India, I didn't have to worry much about my math score, so I didn't focus on it at all through my prep. It was clear that my first target should be to massively ramp up my SC accuracy
For SC I used the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guide and Aristotle SC Grail. Honestly with the limited time in hand, I felt I couldn't complete Manhattan, hence the SC Grail came so in handy. I was able to finish it up fast, and soon as I started seeing the pattern my accuracy went up from 30-40% to around 70%
CR - I relied on Powerscore's book, but I largely think it did not help me much, not to harm the validity of the book in any way. It just did not work for me, ended up confusing me because I think my logical ability for CR was already present. In retrospect I feel more practice would've helped, I only worked out the Manhattan CR Questions, OG
RC, Quant - I did not touch the GMAT material at all, since I'd just prepared for the gruelling CAT. CAT's Quant was enough I felt. RC I found the material to not add much insight, I practiced the OG though.
Exam Outcome: I walked into the Pearson venue, all nervous. But the process was done so smooth. Verbal was first - I think I got very panicky, managed my time a little shabbily (I had a few questions unmarked)
Takeaways:
1. Work on your timing the most. Practice always timed, use the GMAT Timer. Think of it as the real deal
2. OG!!! Worship the books. I wish I revered the book a lot. Read the wrong answers, and definitely read the solutions for the RIGHT ones. Helps a ton in shaping your thought process for the test!
3. SC gives the maximum results in a short span of time. Work on it first! - especially for non-native speakers
4. Go for the GMATPrep tests early. I made the mistake of taking it last - I got a 700 which was close to what I ended up getting - 680. But aim to finish all the 6 official tests
Tests
Veritas Free - 620
Manhattan Free - 660
Economist Test - 650
GMATPrep 1 - 700
GMATPrep 2 - 690
Materials
Manhattan for Verbal
Powerscore CR
Aristotle SC Grail
Oh btw I had the GMATClub tests access for free since it was a major holiday. I loved! 100% best source for Quant tests.
31 Jul 2018, 13:15
Kudos
Bookmarks
Many Congratulations sudharshan931 on your score improvement, and all the best for your applications 
I can very much relate to your story, after all we share the same name
I can very much relate to your story, after all we share the same name
31 Jul 2018, 17:41
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congrats and thanks for the debrief sudharshan931. I didn't see anything about the 610 part of your debrief in the text. Is this your 2nd attempt? You are right about the OG. I plan to use only OG for my verbal practice once I am done with the concepts. Best wishes with your applications.
Cheers!
Cheers!
