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At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
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Struggling with GMAT Verbal as a non-native speaker? Harsh improved his score from 595 to 695 in just 45 days—and scored a 99 %ile in Verbal (V88)! Learn how smart strategy, clarity, and guided prep helped him gain 100 points.
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22 Sep 2024, 10:16
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My GMAT Journey to 725
Hey GMAT Community!
I am Mukesh, and I recently scored 725 (Q90, V85, DI83) on the GMAT. Just wanted to share my experience so it can help someone on the same path.
Motivation:
About a few years back, I switched jobs and had a nagging feeling that I wasn't getting the sufficient business exposure that I needed. As a tech professional, I realized I needed to boost my business acumen to align with my long-term career goals. The GMAT seemed like the perfect first step in that challenge to bridge that gap.
My initial prep was a rollercoaster of motivation and procrastination. I'd study intensely for a week, then ghost my GMAT books for two. This on-again, off-again relationship wasn't cutting it. A few months down the line after watching a few videos, I tried e-GMAT, and it really helped with the preparation. Their study plan was really useful for my use case because it was very structured and detailed. So it kinda reduced the amount of decisions I had to make while learning something.
Verbal: V85
Verbal was initially my nemesis, but it became my ally. Here are a few things that helped me:
1. Critical Reasoning: The pre-thinking approach really helped my CR game (It was something I picked up with practice on E-GMAT). I know a lot of experts suggest not to pre think answers but this approach really worked for me, so I stuck to it (The key is to stick to one approach and go through with it and practice on it). With practice, I could predict the correct answer 80-90% of the time before even looking at the options. This not only boosted my accuracy but also my confidence.
2. Reading Comprehension: Breaking down passages and understanding their structure was key. GMATNinja had some really good videos on Youtube that helped a lot. I focused on identifying the main idea and purpose quickly, which made those tricky questions much more manageable.
3. Practice: I used e-GMAT's Scholaranium extensively, which helped me track my progress and focus on my weak areas. They have so many problems that it's easy to practice without a second thought. Tbf I wasn't clearly thinking about "Would these questions map exactly to how GMAT Questions are structured?" etc. All I wanted to do was practice what I was learning and see if I could improve. I went in with that mentality and it really helped.
Quant Q90
Quant was my strong suit, but it almost became my downfall due to overconfidence. Here's what I learned:
1. Solve Every Question Fully: Even when I thought I knew the answer, I forced myself to solve it completely. This habit helped catch silly mistakes and improved my accuracy.
2. Error Log: I meticulously maintained an error log, reviewing it regularly. This helped me identify patterns in my mistakes and avoid them on test day.
3. Time Management: On my second attempt, I finished Quant with 12-14 minutes to spare. This extra time allowed me to catch and correct a mistake on question 15. I personally feel, practice makes a lot of difference in improving your speed.
4. When I struggled with algebra, my e-GMAT mentor Abha pushed me to focus on specific modules based on my skill data. This targeted approach helped shore up my weak areas efficiently.
Data Insights DI83
Despite my data science background, DI proved to be trickier than expected. They key problems I had after working on Quant and Verbal were time management and accuracy. Here's how I tackled it:
1. Time Management: This was my biggest hurdle. I experimented with different strategies, including initially skipping Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) questions and then coming back for them later. Felt, like this didn't make a difference. My thinking was ( Let me skip these questions, and answer all the easy ones because I got them wrong and then come back and correct them. For some reason this DID NOT work ). So I stuck to going in sequence with the idea that I would be able to solve only 18 questions in the worst case, I will guess the other two if needed. But I kept practicing to improve my speed. I was left with about 30 seconds on the test after the final question.
2. Adaptive Strategy: I found that tackling MSR questions head-on worked best for me, contrary to my initial approach. Don't be afraid to adjust your strategy based on what works for you.
3. Practice: I focused on improving my speed and accuracy across all DI question types, which paid off in my final score.
The Last Mile Push
e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was really helpful for me. My mentor, Abha, kept me accountable and helped identify my weak areas. Based on the focus areas we created a plan that had clear milestones and targets that I needed to meet. This personalized guidance was invaluable, especially when juggling GMAT prep with a full-time job and other commitments. My suggestion is, pls don't hesitate to reach out if you need help. It doesn't have to be technical at all and I believe most issues you will face won't be technical. So nothing wrong in reaching out and asking your mentors, friends or the course you are taking's help.
Mock Tests - I took six mock tests, starting with a 695 and gradually scoring 725,745 as well. Each mock was an opportunity to experiment:
1. Section Order: I experimented with different section orders and settled on Verbal-Quant-DI as my optimal sequence.
2. Analysis: After each mock, I thoroughly analyzed my performance, focusing not just on wrong answers, but also on time management and decision-making processes.
The Big Day
First Attempt (715 - Q90, V83, DI84): I panicked towards the end of Verbal, messing up my last three CR questions. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure. I felt like I could do better. I hit my target score, but I was thinking more on the lines of, why not try again just so that I am satisfied with my performance even if it doesn't increase my score.
Second Attempt (725 - Q90, V85, DI83): I woke at 5:30 AM, went for a quick run, and arrived at the center early. Sticking to my Verbal-Quant-DI order and managing my time better, I felt in control throughout the test. This time I felt really good about verbal. I got 3Qs wrong in the end which again I believe might be some silly mistakes because I was confident of the answers of almost all the questions. But I felt good that I did not panic. So was happy with this attempt.
Key Takeaways for GMAT Aspirants
1. Build Your Support System: My mom kept me accountable. Don't underestimate the power of a strong support network. I clearly told her, I wanted her to hound me if I wasn't putting in enough effort or was losing my motivation. I felt like that was my weak point so I reached out and asked her for help. And you know moms - After a ton of love and extra motivational words - I always managed to bounce back up.
2. Patience is Key: Drawing from my experience coaching tennis, I realized that consistent practice trumps rushing for quick results. I always see it in kids. Their patience is what makes them valuable. The GMAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and work on the problems mindfully. It will do wonders to your score.
3. Maintain an Error Log: Regularly reviewing my mistakes helped me avoid repeating them on test day. It's not just about identifying errors, but understanding why you made them. An example of an error I had in my log was: "Be careful to while adding fractions. You are not adding the numerators correctly." This level of detail really made me be extra careful in my problem solving.
4. Replicate Test Conditions: Make your mock tests as realistic as possible. This helps build stamina and reduces test day anxiety.
5. Develop a Solid Test Day Routine: A good routine and positive mindset on test day can make a significant difference. Find what works for you through your mock tests and stick to it.
To all GMAT aspirants: Believe in yourself and trust the process. On tough days, remember that every practice question brings you one step closer to your goal.
Rooting for all of you,
Mukesh
Hey GMAT Community!
I am Mukesh, and I recently scored 725 (Q90, V85, DI83) on the GMAT. Just wanted to share my experience so it can help someone on the same path.
Motivation:
About a few years back, I switched jobs and had a nagging feeling that I wasn't getting the sufficient business exposure that I needed. As a tech professional, I realized I needed to boost my business acumen to align with my long-term career goals. The GMAT seemed like the perfect first step in that challenge to bridge that gap.
My initial prep was a rollercoaster of motivation and procrastination. I'd study intensely for a week, then ghost my GMAT books for two. This on-again, off-again relationship wasn't cutting it. A few months down the line after watching a few videos, I tried e-GMAT, and it really helped with the preparation. Their study plan was really useful for my use case because it was very structured and detailed. So it kinda reduced the amount of decisions I had to make while learning something.
Verbal: V85
Verbal was initially my nemesis, but it became my ally. Here are a few things that helped me:
1. Critical Reasoning: The pre-thinking approach really helped my CR game (It was something I picked up with practice on E-GMAT). I know a lot of experts suggest not to pre think answers but this approach really worked for me, so I stuck to it (The key is to stick to one approach and go through with it and practice on it). With practice, I could predict the correct answer 80-90% of the time before even looking at the options. This not only boosted my accuracy but also my confidence.
2. Reading Comprehension: Breaking down passages and understanding their structure was key. GMATNinja had some really good videos on Youtube that helped a lot. I focused on identifying the main idea and purpose quickly, which made those tricky questions much more manageable.
3. Practice: I used e-GMAT's Scholaranium extensively, which helped me track my progress and focus on my weak areas. They have so many problems that it's easy to practice without a second thought. Tbf I wasn't clearly thinking about "Would these questions map exactly to how GMAT Questions are structured?" etc. All I wanted to do was practice what I was learning and see if I could improve. I went in with that mentality and it really helped.
Quant Q90
Quant was my strong suit, but it almost became my downfall due to overconfidence. Here's what I learned:
1. Solve Every Question Fully: Even when I thought I knew the answer, I forced myself to solve it completely. This habit helped catch silly mistakes and improved my accuracy.
2. Error Log: I meticulously maintained an error log, reviewing it regularly. This helped me identify patterns in my mistakes and avoid them on test day.
3. Time Management: On my second attempt, I finished Quant with 12-14 minutes to spare. This extra time allowed me to catch and correct a mistake on question 15. I personally feel, practice makes a lot of difference in improving your speed.
4. When I struggled with algebra, my e-GMAT mentor Abha pushed me to focus on specific modules based on my skill data. This targeted approach helped shore up my weak areas efficiently.
Data Insights DI83
Despite my data science background, DI proved to be trickier than expected. They key problems I had after working on Quant and Verbal were time management and accuracy. Here's how I tackled it:
1. Time Management: This was my biggest hurdle. I experimented with different strategies, including initially skipping Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) questions and then coming back for them later. Felt, like this didn't make a difference. My thinking was ( Let me skip these questions, and answer all the easy ones because I got them wrong and then come back and correct them. For some reason this DID NOT work ). So I stuck to going in sequence with the idea that I would be able to solve only 18 questions in the worst case, I will guess the other two if needed. But I kept practicing to improve my speed. I was left with about 30 seconds on the test after the final question.
2. Adaptive Strategy: I found that tackling MSR questions head-on worked best for me, contrary to my initial approach. Don't be afraid to adjust your strategy based on what works for you.
3. Practice: I focused on improving my speed and accuracy across all DI question types, which paid off in my final score.
The Last Mile Push
e-GMAT's Last Mile Push program was really helpful for me. My mentor, Abha, kept me accountable and helped identify my weak areas. Based on the focus areas we created a plan that had clear milestones and targets that I needed to meet. This personalized guidance was invaluable, especially when juggling GMAT prep with a full-time job and other commitments. My suggestion is, pls don't hesitate to reach out if you need help. It doesn't have to be technical at all and I believe most issues you will face won't be technical. So nothing wrong in reaching out and asking your mentors, friends or the course you are taking's help.
Mock Tests - I took six mock tests, starting with a 695 and gradually scoring 725,745 as well. Each mock was an opportunity to experiment:
1. Section Order: I experimented with different section orders and settled on Verbal-Quant-DI as my optimal sequence.
2. Analysis: After each mock, I thoroughly analyzed my performance, focusing not just on wrong answers, but also on time management and decision-making processes.
The Big Day
First Attempt (715 - Q90, V83, DI84): I panicked towards the end of Verbal, messing up my last three CR questions. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure. I felt like I could do better. I hit my target score, but I was thinking more on the lines of, why not try again just so that I am satisfied with my performance even if it doesn't increase my score.
Second Attempt (725 - Q90, V85, DI83): I woke at 5:30 AM, went for a quick run, and arrived at the center early. Sticking to my Verbal-Quant-DI order and managing my time better, I felt in control throughout the test. This time I felt really good about verbal. I got 3Qs wrong in the end which again I believe might be some silly mistakes because I was confident of the answers of almost all the questions. But I felt good that I did not panic. So was happy with this attempt.
Key Takeaways for GMAT Aspirants
1. Build Your Support System: My mom kept me accountable. Don't underestimate the power of a strong support network. I clearly told her, I wanted her to hound me if I wasn't putting in enough effort or was losing my motivation. I felt like that was my weak point so I reached out and asked her for help. And you know moms - After a ton of love and extra motivational words - I always managed to bounce back up.
2. Patience is Key: Drawing from my experience coaching tennis, I realized that consistent practice trumps rushing for quick results. I always see it in kids. Their patience is what makes them valuable. The GMAT is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and work on the problems mindfully. It will do wonders to your score.
3. Maintain an Error Log: Regularly reviewing my mistakes helped me avoid repeating them on test day. It's not just about identifying errors, but understanding why you made them. An example of an error I had in my log was: "Be careful to while adding fractions. You are not adding the numerators correctly." This level of detail really made me be extra careful in my problem solving.
4. Replicate Test Conditions: Make your mock tests as realistic as possible. This helps build stamina and reduces test day anxiety.
5. Develop a Solid Test Day Routine: A good routine and positive mindset on test day can make a significant difference. Find what works for you through your mock tests and stick to it.
To all GMAT aspirants: Believe in yourself and trust the process. On tough days, remember that every practice question brings you one step closer to your goal.
Rooting for all of you,
Mukesh
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File comment: Quant ESR
Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 13.14.21.png [ 197.31 KiB | Viewed 1441 times ]
File comment: Verbal ESR
Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 13.14.55.png [ 226.31 KiB | Viewed 1426 times ]
File comment: DI ESR
Screenshot 2024-09-22 at 13.15.06.png [ 218.9 KiB | Viewed 1428 times ]
25 Sep 2024, 19:17
Kudos
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Congratulations on finishing your journey 3 years later! 💪
Is this your first GMAT Attempt? You did not really focus on it previously?
Is this your first GMAT Attempt? You did not really focus on it previously?
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