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AkshatS7
LBS Moderator
Joined: 16 Mar 2024
Last visit: 15 Dec 2025
Posts: 56
Given Kudos: 39
Location: India
Schools: Darden '26 (D) Duke '26 (D) Johnson '26 (WL) UNC '26 (S) Booth '26 Goizueta '26 LBS '26 Ross '26 Rotman '26 (A$) Simon '26 (II) Tepper '26 (WL)
GMAT Focus 1: 695 Q87 V85 DI82 
GPA: 8.1
Products:
Schools: Darden '26 (D) Duke '26 (D) Johnson '26 (WL) UNC '26 (S) Booth '26 Goizueta '26 LBS '26 Ross '26 Rotman '26 (A$) Simon '26 (II) Tepper '26 (WL)
GMAT Focus 1: 695 Q87 V85 DI82
Posts: 56
11 Aug 2024, 11:31
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Bookmarks
Hello fellow GMAT aspirants! I'm Akshat, and I'm thrilled to share my GMAT journey with you. After months of hard work and dedication, I finally achieved a score of 695 (V85, Q87, DI82) on my first and only GMAT attempt. It's been quite a ride, and I'm excited to have surpassed my initial expectations.
When I started this journey, I was far from where I wanted to be. My first diagnostic mock score was a modest 575 (Q87, V79, DI70). Looking at those numbers, I knew I had a long way to go, especially in Verbal and DI, but I was determined to push myself and see how far I could improve.
As a software developer working full-time in the IT sector, finding the right balance between work and GMAT prep was challenging. But with the right guidance and a structured approach, I managed to achieve my goal in just four months. I hope my story can inspire and help those of you who are juggling work and GMAT preparation.
Like many Indian professionals, I was initially torn between CAT and GMAT for my MBA aspirations. After careful consideration, I found myself drawn to the GMAT. Its focus on conceptual knowledge really resonated with me. I spent hours scouring GMAT Club for insights, and one thing stood out – most 700+ scores seemed to come from e-GMAT users.
My Verbal Journey:
Critical Reasoning (CR): Oh boy, CR was a tough nut to crack initially. I struggled with the basics – no structured approach, confusion between assumption and strengthen/weaken questions, and don't even get me started on bold-faced questions!
But e-GMAT's pre-thinking strategy was a game-changer. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. It seemed time-consuming, and I was tempted to skip it. But after a few cementing quizzes, I realized its importance. I went back to the application files and practice files, drilling the process until it became second nature. The payoff was huge – not only did my accuracy improve from 30% to 80%, but I also saved time during the exam. Plus, the confidence boost was incredible.
Reading Comprehension (RC): RC was a rollercoaster ride. Initially, it seemed easier than CR, but it remained a thorn in my side until the final weeks.
My main issues? Inconsistent notetaking and struggling with the author's point of view. e-GMAT's emphasis on precise notetaking was a lifesaver. The Coach Connect sessions, especially with Shraddha, were eye-opening. I learned to focus on the author's perspective and improved my approach to inference questions. Differentiating between the author's view and third-person data was a crucial skill I developed, which significantly boosted my RC performance. I literally improved my hard accuracy from a mere 30% to a 85%.
Coach Connect Sessions:
These live sessions were worth their weight in gold. The verbal workshop and CR session gave me a much-needed confidence boost through direct interaction. Shraddha's and Rajat's RC sessions were particularly helpful – they exposed specific weaknesses I hadn't even realized I had. The quality of homework assignments kept me engaged with the course material, especially while I was focusing on other sections like DI. It was like having personal trainers for my GMAT prep!
Data Interpretation Improvement:
When I first encountered DI, it felt like I was staring at hieroglyphics. However, after completing the verbal and quant sections, things started to click. e-GMAT's approach to teaching DI as an application of verbal and quant concepts was brilliant. I applied pre-thinking to Two-Part Analysis (TPA) questions and focused on careful reading in Data Sufficiency (DS) questions. Seeing my score improve from an initial 70 to a final 82 was incredibly satisfying.
Quant Improvement Using PACE AI:
Despite starting with a strong quant score (Q87), PACE AI helped me refine my skills. It was like having a personal tutor that knew exactly what I needed. The system saved me about 42 hours by tailoring the course to my existing knowledge. The process skills I learned were crucial, especially in word problems. PACE AI helped me bridge the gap between knowing concepts and applying them effectively in GMAT-style questions.
Mock Stage and Scores:
My mock journey was a rollercoaster of emotions. I hit some highs – scoring 695 on a Sigma X mock and even 715 on an Official mock. Those scores had me walking on cloud nine. But then came the lows – two 655 scores on Sigma X mocks and a 685 on Official platform.
Talk about a reality check!
Initially, these fluctuations really got to me. But after some reflection and analysis, I realized there were no significant conceptual gaps. The main culprit? Time management, especially in DI. In the final week, instead of taking more mocks, I focused on refining my approach and time management. Sometimes, less is more!
Last Mile Push Program:
This program was instrumental in my final preparation. What made it truly special was that Dhruv was my mentor who created tailor-made plans for my specific needs. This personalized approach made my journey much more predictable and structured. The mentor helped me set specific targets for each section and guided my practice in the final stages. It was like having a personal coach who knew exactly what I needed to focus on to reach my goal score. The Last Mile Push program provided me with a clear roadmap for the final stretch of my GMAT preparation, helping me stay focused and motivated right up to the exam day. This customized guidance was crucial in fine-tuning my preparation and boosting my confidence in the weeks leading up to the test.
Test-Taking Strategies and Final Tips:
When I started this journey, I was far from where I wanted to be. My first diagnostic mock score was a modest 575 (Q87, V79, DI70). Looking at those numbers, I knew I had a long way to go, especially in Verbal and DI, but I was determined to push myself and see how far I could improve.
As a software developer working full-time in the IT sector, finding the right balance between work and GMAT prep was challenging. But with the right guidance and a structured approach, I managed to achieve my goal in just four months. I hope my story can inspire and help those of you who are juggling work and GMAT preparation.
Like many Indian professionals, I was initially torn between CAT and GMAT for my MBA aspirations. After careful consideration, I found myself drawn to the GMAT. Its focus on conceptual knowledge really resonated with me. I spent hours scouring GMAT Club for insights, and one thing stood out – most 700+ scores seemed to come from e-GMAT users.
My Verbal Journey:
Critical Reasoning (CR): Oh boy, CR was a tough nut to crack initially. I struggled with the basics – no structured approach, confusion between assumption and strengthen/weaken questions, and don't even get me started on bold-faced questions!
But e-GMAT's pre-thinking strategy was a game-changer. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. It seemed time-consuming, and I was tempted to skip it. But after a few cementing quizzes, I realized its importance. I went back to the application files and practice files, drilling the process until it became second nature. The payoff was huge – not only did my accuracy improve from 30% to 80%, but I also saved time during the exam. Plus, the confidence boost was incredible.
Reading Comprehension (RC): RC was a rollercoaster ride. Initially, it seemed easier than CR, but it remained a thorn in my side until the final weeks.
My main issues? Inconsistent notetaking and struggling with the author's point of view. e-GMAT's emphasis on precise notetaking was a lifesaver. The Coach Connect sessions, especially with Shraddha, were eye-opening. I learned to focus on the author's perspective and improved my approach to inference questions. Differentiating between the author's view and third-person data was a crucial skill I developed, which significantly boosted my RC performance. I literally improved my hard accuracy from a mere 30% to a 85%.
Coach Connect Sessions:
These live sessions were worth their weight in gold. The verbal workshop and CR session gave me a much-needed confidence boost through direct interaction. Shraddha's and Rajat's RC sessions were particularly helpful – they exposed specific weaknesses I hadn't even realized I had. The quality of homework assignments kept me engaged with the course material, especially while I was focusing on other sections like DI. It was like having personal trainers for my GMAT prep!
Data Interpretation Improvement:
When I first encountered DI, it felt like I was staring at hieroglyphics. However, after completing the verbal and quant sections, things started to click. e-GMAT's approach to teaching DI as an application of verbal and quant concepts was brilliant. I applied pre-thinking to Two-Part Analysis (TPA) questions and focused on careful reading in Data Sufficiency (DS) questions. Seeing my score improve from an initial 70 to a final 82 was incredibly satisfying.
Quant Improvement Using PACE AI:
Despite starting with a strong quant score (Q87), PACE AI helped me refine my skills. It was like having a personal tutor that knew exactly what I needed. The system saved me about 42 hours by tailoring the course to my existing knowledge. The process skills I learned were crucial, especially in word problems. PACE AI helped me bridge the gap between knowing concepts and applying them effectively in GMAT-style questions.
Mock Stage and Scores:
My mock journey was a rollercoaster of emotions. I hit some highs – scoring 695 on a Sigma X mock and even 715 on an Official mock. Those scores had me walking on cloud nine. But then came the lows – two 655 scores on Sigma X mocks and a 685 on Official platform.
Talk about a reality check!
Initially, these fluctuations really got to me. But after some reflection and analysis, I realized there were no significant conceptual gaps. The main culprit? Time management, especially in DI. In the final week, instead of taking more mocks, I focused on refining my approach and time management. Sometimes, less is more!
Last Mile Push Program:
This program was instrumental in my final preparation. What made it truly special was that Dhruv was my mentor who created tailor-made plans for my specific needs. This personalized approach made my journey much more predictable and structured. The mentor helped me set specific targets for each section and guided my practice in the final stages. It was like having a personal coach who knew exactly what I needed to focus on to reach my goal score. The Last Mile Push program provided me with a clear roadmap for the final stretch of my GMAT preparation, helping me stay focused and motivated right up to the exam day. This customized guidance was crucial in fine-tuning my preparation and boosting my confidence in the weeks leading up to the test.
Test-Taking Strategies and Final Tips:
- Know yourself: I discovered that long breaks during the test actually broke my concentration. So, I kept them short to stay in the zone.
- Time management is key: Especially in DI, where some questions might not immediately click. Don't get stuck!
- Keep the faith: Despite fluctuations in mock scores, I focused on my overall progress and conceptual understanding. Trust the process!
- Stick to your guns: In high-pressure situations, it's tempting to abandon strategies. Don't! Trust what you've learned and practiced.
- Balance is possible: I completed my prep in four months while working full-time. It's challenging, but doable with dedication.
playthegame
Johnson Moderator
Joined: 19 Jan 2024
Last visit: 28 Mar 2025
Posts: 421
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 146
Location: Canada
Concentration: Operations, Leadership
Schools: Johnson '27
Products:
11 Aug 2024, 11:57
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Bookmarks
Good story, congratulations, with Q87 on your cold mock you were starting strong. I started with Q78 on my cold mock and 555 on the first mock finally landed 645 on the test on my second attempt.
Yes time management on DI is key and can get you significant improvement in score if done right.
Yes challenging yet doable with dedication. Good luck with your applications.
Yes time management on DI is key and can get you significant improvement in score if done right.
Yes challenging yet doable with dedication. Good luck with your applications.
11 Aug 2024, 21:16
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Bookmarks
AkshatS7
Great!
All the best for applications.
