Hi folks!
Figured I'd give back to the community by sharing a bit about my excruciating but rewarding 3 months intense preparation journey using TTP. Some facts here:
This is my first and
only attempt to sit GMAT/GMAT Focus. Non-native English speaker with 615 baseline diagnostic (Q81, V82, DI 79). For application deadline purposes, I completely TTP's entire Quant and Verbal sections, all mentioned Quant and Verbal OG questions, and
half of TTP's Data Insights section. I did not have time to practice most of the prompted DI questions. This is reflected in my official score's section break down as I improved very little within DI (79 -> 81).
From 6/1 to 9/1 in 2025, on average I studied ~3-5 hours per day, fully locked in. I followed TTP's flexible preparation study plan diligently, as in actively reading through ALL chapters and doing quizzes offered.
Global Advice
1. Follow the preparation plan. DO NOT MODIFY
2. When in doubt, reach out to TTP using chat box function.
- Even though my plan was completely self-paced, I felt supported throughout as Scott (TTP founder) and Julia (amazing Verbal instructor) were answering my questions in the portal
3. Gauge if you really need a tutor
- Tutors can be helpful, especially when you are really stuck. HOWEVER, before getting to that point, I highly recommend just to sit down, and go through the entire TTP process. The program even breaks down why their method works and what't the logic behind test preparation.
- When I think more into it, it's like learning about human psychology. We like to take shortcuts, but no matter how easy the material seemed to me, I sat through TTP's lessons (sometimes they are a lot).
4. Commit to it!
- I love how the first thing TTP asks me to do is book the exam. It's extremely helpful to have a deadline of sorts
- I also love TTP's interface. As someone who's neurodivergent, reading textbooks bores me to no return. However, TTP's platform is so user friendly, while presenting super helpful visuals on e.g. analytical data, flashcards, lesson progress, accuracy rate, etc. As someone who's dyslexic, the platform even has adaptive functionalities to bold words or enlarge font size. It's extremely well designed
5. Seek guidance from a proper psychologist/therapist
- Another instrumental part is my psychologist. She pretty much helped me strategize for the exam, down to when and where I should be taking it. All the answers have been in my head, but to have a professional who points obvious things out for me is very reassuring.
- Think of the role of a psychologist/therapist as a trusted friend or family member but with proper training to handle our mental highs and lows.
6. No need to constantly check out other posts on "miracle stories"
- What other people score does not deter you from getting every question in front of you right. The strategy does not change (that's why it's called a strategy!). Try balance getting enough information vs. overloading your brain and psyching yourself out.
- GMAT is just an exam, it's not a reflection of your IQ/achievement!