I've been at this since September. Started with 560 on practice without studying, moving up to 660 with Princeton tests during my studies, and finally hitting 700, 720 on the GMATPrep. My aim is 700, so I thought I was ready, but I guess I wasn't ready for the GMAT experience:)
Finally hurdle was the test in October, I was a nervous wreck. But being the confident moron I am, I visited a local spa on the last day (all you guys said relax, after all!) and whipped out my hookah at 10PM.
Tobacco stimulates the brain, and can prevent sleep especially if you are stressed. After spending most of the night awake, I went to Brooklyn Pearson's center. I was jittery due to red-bull and coffee, and felt panicked. Math section makes me feel like crap for some reason - as there are many questions that I miss. So nothing special there. After a quick bathroom, red-bull break, I hit the verbal. Not a native speaker, but lived in USA for 20 yrs...also an excellent writer (not that it matters, but 6 on the essays, and I hadn't even looked at an essay question before the actual test). I was even more jittery during the verbal (lack of sleep + caffeine), but I always feel confident about verbal. After 10 minutes in, construction work starts outside - BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BATATATATATATATA! They were drilling the pavement, but talk about a mind-f#$#k.
After a 4 hour punishment, its hard to cancel your scores, and I woke up from this nightmare into another: 580 - 37q 33v. Major disappointment, since my score was 560 without even studying. I complained about the noise, they mentioned I hadn't said anything about it during my bathroom break. I mean who stops to complain with 75 minutes and 41 questions? Nobody. I posted about that here, and someone said write to GMAT. I did, and they gave me a free test.
-> Advice on first time takers, don't get confident.
-> Don't drink too much caffeine (drink one coffee in the morning, that is it)
-> Don't relax. Do some studying the day before.
-> Don't smoke anything.
-> Stay away from Brooklyn.
Digressing. 580 is not my score, and I would've taken the test again the next day, but alas, you have to wait 30 days. So I signed up, and bought the
MGMAT SC book (good recommendation guys). I reviewed and did 10 math and 10 verbal every day for the next 30 days. I also did an
MGMAT test every week - scoring 650, 650, 690, 700 before the actual test. Someone told me
MGMAT tests are super-hard, so I got confident with my scores. But second time around, no hookah or spa. I disagree about relaxing the day before, continue peaking (do 10 questions from each section). I couldn't sleep again the night before, but I had anticipated this. So after a glass of Merlot and 2 sleeping pills, I was out cold (I do this everytime I have a red-eye flight, but I am guessing you should try it first before doing it the test night).
So this time, I felt my brain was ok...I was still nervous, but stayed away from too much coffee and did 3 questions before hitting the downtown Manhattan center. I said screw the essays - went through them in 15 mins each. There was some weird noise during the second essay through, so I put on the ear plugs. I did as usual during the math, thinking I am doing horrible. I got super-nervous though, almost like the first time around. So I figured I am screwing up again. Than came verbal, I figured since I scored 38, 38, 40, 41 the last 4 tests, I could maybe get a decent score with a high verbal I went through it again feeling confident. I couldn't believe the score - 640, with 46 on math (personal highest) and 31 on verbal (personal lowest). Feels like someone is playing a big joke on me. Anyway, I will take it again in 30 days. Probably my last try, lets see what happens. I plan to just do questions everyday. Any advice?
Also,
Chance of getting into NYU Part Time?
GPA 3.2 from NYU Undergrad - Computer Science.
GMAT 640 as mentioned
Work - 10 yrs in major IB, managing a couple of IT groups for past few.
Some extra curricular.
Cheers.