Debrief-GMAT Enhanced 700: A 2.5 year-long journey ends now

I came from a trek yesterday. I rewarded this trek to myself after taking GMAT (for the fifth time) on August 16 last week when the score of 700 (Q48 V38) flashed on my screen, and the entire 2.5 year-long journey of emotions, learnings, discipline, and hard work flashed in front of my eyes.

I decided to take GMAT in February 2019, and since then, I gave the following attempts:
August 2019: 620
November 2019: 620
October 3, 2020 (GMAT Online): 650
October 6, 2020 (At test center): 640
August 16, 2021 (GMAT Online Enhanced): 700

While the entire journey was full of disappointments, it was full of learnings as well. I wrote a post on the forum a few days ago- https://gmatclub.com/forum/a-letter-to-22-year-old-myself-who-has-decided-to-take-gmat-362718.html#p2812766 - where I shared the emotional ride that I went through these 2.5 years. And I am sure people who are already on this journey are going through. While writing that post, I could only see myself building the right mindset for the GMAT. And that's what made a huge difference. I tried to look at its positive side and what it had done to me. GMAT preparation helped build my skills which further helped me in both my personal and my professional life. For example, I don't procrastinate the way I used to do before. If there is a task in front of me, and if I am able to complete that now, I complete that. My writing skills at my workplace have enhanced significantly- thanks to SC. I can think more critically and then question at the workplace while taking decisions with my team and writing insights in my reports and articles. I can go through long reports being more focused- thanks to RC.

My prep improved when I restarted my preparation in February 2021 after taking a break post my 4th attempt. I purchased eGMAT Online course, went through all modules, followed their strategy – Foundation, Cementing, and Ability. I did try eGMAT Verbal course for a month before my second attempt, but I admit I couldn't spend a lot of time on that due to work commitments. The best thing about their program is their Last Mile Push program, in which they reach out to dedicated students, assigning a mentor to each of them at the final leg of preparation. My final leg went on for 2-3 months. Atreya Roy was my mentor and helped me build weekly plans. Whenever I gave mock, while I could see the improvement, that was very less as compared to the efforts I was putting. Sometimes I felt that I was wasting my mentor's time as well, but he didn't give up on me. And I am grateful for that.

I gave my last mock on August 8, and scored 690 (Q46 V38), but the score was a bit inflated because I guessed in final questions for Verbal RC and all three of them came out as correct ones. The final week was about improving my time management skills. But I got a fever and cold and couldn't study much in the second half of the week. But this time, I just let it go. I didn't give much importance to the exam this time. I was rather stressing about packing for my trek. I decided that whatever score will come, I will go with it. The worst-case will be I will get a mid-tier school. But life will not get over. Things will get figured out eventually. Just let it be. Let's think about what nail paint I should wear for the trek week.

While the score of 700 is not as great as 730+, I am very happy and satisfied, and I would rather now focus on other parts of my application. I am super happy that I can now go ahead with my next steps- work on essays and apply to my target schools. Yayyyyyy!

One thing I would definitely recommend is that do read this story on Magoosh's website-https://magoosh.com/gmat/the-gmat-business-school-and-you-the-big-picture/. I am super grateful that I came across this story the day before my exam. I will also like to thank this forum. Brilliant minds are already there sharing their tips and resources. Use only those tips and resources that work for you.

And trust me, there is light at the end of the tunnel.