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coolpras
Joined: 13 Dec 2015
Last visit: 14 Jul 2017
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Location: Singapore
Schools: Stern '19 Stanford '19 Insead Sept'18 Kellogg '19
Products:
05 Sep 2016, 10:27
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Bookmarks
To all my fellow students and masters,
I have been dedicating a large part of my spare time (and life!!) over the last 2 months (Sep 2016 now) preparing for the GMAT. I have done over 200+ hours of studying since the beginning of July and my score is pretty much at the exact same place as it was when I first decided to study for the exam. (which was last Dec 2015.)
As you can see from below, my test results are largely unchanged and hovers around 640 score.
My study strategy has been as follows:
Prior to my Jan 2016 attempt: (prep time 1 month)
Kaplan Premier
OG
Gmat Prep Free
27 December Kaplan Test: 640 Q46 V32
29 Dec 2015 Gmat prep Test 1: 630 Q47 V30
05 Jan 2016 Gmat prep Test 2: 640 Q48 V31
Actual GMAT: 640 Q49 V28
Material used: Manhattan GMAT SC strategy guide.
Was devastated but reported the scores anyways. (perhaps I shouldn't have)
Due to a job change , and flying around for interviews I couldn't immediately take the test. So I joined a new job in Mar 2016 and was very busy proving myself at this job for a while and couldn't consistently focus on GMAT. After 9 July 2016 I made a stern decision to prepare for GMAT at least 2 months and give my best.
I consistently prepared with 3 hours every day after work and at least 5 hours on weekends. I had a couple of cheat days once in 2 weeks.
Based on the previous ESR i decided SC is the weak point and added the following resources to my list.
Kaplan 800
Kaplan verbal & math workbook (found it too basic and easy so stopped half way)
Official Guide Verbal review
GMAT prep paid extra questions
Powerscore CR
Manhattan GMAT SC strategy
I exhausted almost all practice questions & had a consistent 80-85% accuracy in practice (SC, CR) and 50-70% in RC in hard questions on GMAT prep. Medium & easy were a consistent 85-90% on SC,CR) and 70% in RC.
Took the GMATprep test again on 1 Sep 2016 and scored 650 Q48 and V 32.
(Incorrect questions break down below
Quant: 16 incorrect
Problem solving: 4
Data Sufficiency: 12
Verbal: 12 incorrect
SC 4
RC 5
CR 3
I realised my weakness is DS and RC so practiced all the Hard and medium question in GMAT prep with about 80% accuracy and then proceeded to take my GMAT.
I didn't want to take too many practice test as I read everywhere that practice test don't really mean much and that I must practice questions in timed manner (which i did)
(Please note all my practice has been timed and all my question were well under 2 mins)
05 Sep 2016 Actual GMAT 2nd attempt: 620 Q48 V28
One factor during test that i can say affected my ability was I took an extra minute and a half longer break prior to my verbal. So i panicked kept looking at the time and rushed through a few initial questions to catch up on lost time clearly knowing the importance of this part. Nevertheless i ended finish verbal 2 mins early.
As soon as I looked at the score in hit my self in the head (not literally) and without any second thoughts cancelled my score.
What I do have now is
5 more practice test from Kaplan
6 Practice tests from MGMAT
1 more test from GMAT prep (yet to re-take) ( i don't mind buying the exam pack as well)
I would like to have a clear plan of attack for the next 1 month so I can get at least get 700+ on my GMAT. I know it is easier said than done, but I am prepared to put the work if I have plan and resources. I don't want to take a break i want to top off my existing preparations and be better armed for my next attempt.
I need to know what material to use (whether i need more) and I need to better identify my weaknesses in the smallest detail. Also should I try attempting the 12 practice tests (or at least some of it? what is the recommended number at this stage). How many do hours I need to spend a week, so by early/mid October 2016 ( the earliest available GMAT test date in my city) I can take my GMAT again and consistently score above 700 in prep tests prior to it.
On another note, I am quite intrigued by the e-gmat success stories but at the same I am quite skeptical about these stories as most of it tend look like it is done for marketing purposes with perfectly worded success stories. I may be wrong on this as it really does say all the right words and exactly what I want to hear but still I am not sure what other options I have at this point. And If I do go this way what e-GMAT plan should I be buying and if there are any discounts on this etc..
I thank you all for sharing such amazing instructions and stories. My journey has so far been much easier with all the discussions and testimonies on the forum and I do plan to share my story again once it becomes a success.
Regards,
Prashanth
I have been dedicating a large part of my spare time (and life!!) over the last 2 months (Sep 2016 now) preparing for the GMAT. I have done over 200+ hours of studying since the beginning of July and my score is pretty much at the exact same place as it was when I first decided to study for the exam. (which was last Dec 2015.)
As you can see from below, my test results are largely unchanged and hovers around 640 score.
My study strategy has been as follows:
Prior to my Jan 2016 attempt: (prep time 1 month)
Kaplan Premier
OG
Gmat Prep Free
27 December Kaplan Test: 640 Q46 V32
29 Dec 2015 Gmat prep Test 1: 630 Q47 V30
05 Jan 2016 Gmat prep Test 2: 640 Q48 V31
Actual GMAT: 640 Q49 V28
Material used: Manhattan GMAT SC strategy guide.
Was devastated but reported the scores anyways. (perhaps I shouldn't have)
Due to a job change , and flying around for interviews I couldn't immediately take the test. So I joined a new job in Mar 2016 and was very busy proving myself at this job for a while and couldn't consistently focus on GMAT. After 9 July 2016 I made a stern decision to prepare for GMAT at least 2 months and give my best.
I consistently prepared with 3 hours every day after work and at least 5 hours on weekends. I had a couple of cheat days once in 2 weeks.
Based on the previous ESR i decided SC is the weak point and added the following resources to my list.
Kaplan 800
Kaplan verbal & math workbook (found it too basic and easy so stopped half way)
Official Guide Verbal review
GMAT prep paid extra questions
Powerscore CR
Manhattan GMAT SC strategy
I exhausted almost all practice questions & had a consistent 80-85% accuracy in practice (SC, CR) and 50-70% in RC in hard questions on GMAT prep. Medium & easy were a consistent 85-90% on SC,CR) and 70% in RC.
Took the GMATprep test again on 1 Sep 2016 and scored 650 Q48 and V 32.
(Incorrect questions break down below
Quant: 16 incorrect
Problem solving: 4
Data Sufficiency: 12
Verbal: 12 incorrect
SC 4
RC 5
CR 3
I realised my weakness is DS and RC so practiced all the Hard and medium question in GMAT prep with about 80% accuracy and then proceeded to take my GMAT.
I didn't want to take too many practice test as I read everywhere that practice test don't really mean much and that I must practice questions in timed manner (which i did)
(Please note all my practice has been timed and all my question were well under 2 mins)
05 Sep 2016 Actual GMAT 2nd attempt: 620 Q48 V28
One factor during test that i can say affected my ability was I took an extra minute and a half longer break prior to my verbal. So i panicked kept looking at the time and rushed through a few initial questions to catch up on lost time clearly knowing the importance of this part. Nevertheless i ended finish verbal 2 mins early.
As soon as I looked at the score in hit my self in the head (not literally) and without any second thoughts cancelled my score.
What I do have now is
5 more practice test from Kaplan
6 Practice tests from MGMAT
1 more test from GMAT prep (yet to re-take) ( i don't mind buying the exam pack as well)
I would like to have a clear plan of attack for the next 1 month so I can get at least get 700+ on my GMAT. I know it is easier said than done, but I am prepared to put the work if I have plan and resources. I don't want to take a break i want to top off my existing preparations and be better armed for my next attempt.
I need to know what material to use (whether i need more) and I need to better identify my weaknesses in the smallest detail. Also should I try attempting the 12 practice tests (or at least some of it? what is the recommended number at this stage). How many do hours I need to spend a week, so by early/mid October 2016 ( the earliest available GMAT test date in my city) I can take my GMAT again and consistently score above 700 in prep tests prior to it.
On another note, I am quite intrigued by the e-gmat success stories but at the same I am quite skeptical about these stories as most of it tend look like it is done for marketing purposes with perfectly worded success stories. I may be wrong on this as it really does say all the right words and exactly what I want to hear but still I am not sure what other options I have at this point. And If I do go this way what e-GMAT plan should I be buying and if there are any discounts on this etc..
I thank you all for sharing such amazing instructions and stories. My journey has so far been much easier with all the discussions and testimonies on the forum and I do plan to share my story again once it becomes a success.
Regards,
Prashanth
05 Sep 2016, 12:28
Kudos
Bookmarks
coolpras - I am sorry to hear that you did not do as well on the GMAT. Just a few points of observation:
1. Taking mock tests will not help you improve. Mock tests are a tool to assess your preparation level. You tend to see diminishing returns after taking 5 mocks or so.
2. Mock tests from different providers are not comparable. Hence, you will get limited insights if you mix and match mock tests.
3. Why is your score not improving - even in mocks: Because you have hit what we call as a score plateau. You essentially have to isolate the core skills that you need to work on and build on that. Take a look at the recording of GMAT Strategy Session below to know more. Start from 20 minutes onwards:
GMAT Score Booster Webinar: Recording link
Your intrigue and your skepticism
I understand your skepticism. There are a couple of ways to validate/invalidate the same:
1. Stats: e-GMAT has been GMAT Club's most reviewed company for the past few years. In fact, the proportion of reviews submitted for e-GMAT has gone up since the new review policy that verifies every review has been put in place. Take a look at this stat.
2. GMAT Club Moderators: We have helped a number of GMAT Club moderators. BTW – the two math forum moderators Engr2012 (he posted on your post here) and Harley1980 are both e-GMAT students whose debriefs are quite well appreciated on the forum. Take a look at some below:
hardwork-never-gets-unrewarded-for-ever-189267.html
The same guy’s video interview is right here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTK9-5LWdnU. By the way, he is also fielding questions on Tepper here https://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/te ... s-36075043
3. Try the content out: We offer GMAT Club's most exhaustive free trial. In addition, we offer free webinars every weekend. You aim to become a manager. Try the content out and make the decision for yourself.
I hope the above data points help. Take a look at the testimonial section on our website. Even though the website is 3 years old, it still contains 200+ success stories. 90% of those success stories have associated LinkedIn profiles. Note, these LinkedIn profiles account for fewer than 15% of our successful students.
I hope that the data helps address some concerns. Coming back to your overall problem - figure out the core skills you lack to overcome score plateau. Also look at the study plan at the end of the webinar to see a 25 day plan to improve to V40.
-Rajat
1. Taking mock tests will not help you improve. Mock tests are a tool to assess your preparation level. You tend to see diminishing returns after taking 5 mocks or so.
2. Mock tests from different providers are not comparable. Hence, you will get limited insights if you mix and match mock tests.
3. Why is your score not improving - even in mocks: Because you have hit what we call as a score plateau. You essentially have to isolate the core skills that you need to work on and build on that. Take a look at the recording of GMAT Strategy Session below to know more. Start from 20 minutes onwards:
GMAT Score Booster Webinar: Recording link
Your intrigue and your skepticism
I understand your skepticism. There are a couple of ways to validate/invalidate the same:
1. Stats: e-GMAT has been GMAT Club's most reviewed company for the past few years. In fact, the proportion of reviews submitted for e-GMAT has gone up since the new review policy that verifies every review has been put in place. Take a look at this stat.
2. GMAT Club Moderators: We have helped a number of GMAT Club moderators. BTW – the two math forum moderators Engr2012 (he posted on your post here) and Harley1980 are both e-GMAT students whose debriefs are quite well appreciated on the forum. Take a look at some below:
hardwork-never-gets-unrewarded-for-ever-189267.html
The same guy’s video interview is right here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTK9-5LWdnU. By the way, he is also fielding questions on Tepper here https://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/te ... s-36075043
3. Try the content out: We offer GMAT Club's most exhaustive free trial. In addition, we offer free webinars every weekend. You aim to become a manager. Try the content out and make the decision for yourself.
I hope the above data points help. Take a look at the testimonial section on our website. Even though the website is 3 years old, it still contains 200+ success stories. 90% of those success stories have associated LinkedIn profiles. Note, these LinkedIn profiles account for fewer than 15% of our successful students.
I hope that the data helps address some concerns. Coming back to your overall problem - figure out the core skills you lack to overcome score plateau. Also look at the study plan at the end of the webinar to see a 25 day plan to improve to V40.
-Rajat
05 Sep 2016, 16:27
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Prashanth,
First off, your initial 640/Q49 is a strong score (it's right around the 80th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:
ask-admission-consultants-124/
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your various score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). As such, your current skills place you right around the 630 level. To hit the 700+ level, you're going to have to make some fundamental changes to how you deal with the Verbal section (and while you could pick up all of those missing points in the Verbal section, if you could squeeze out a few more points in the Quant section, then that would help). This is all meant to say that you have to learn/practice some new Tactics, so investing in some new study materials would make sense.
It's good to be a bit skeptical of any of the reviews that you read. Thankfully, there's a practical way to assess many of the practice materials that are available - Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.
If you have any additional question, then you can feel free to contact me directly.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
First off, your initial 640/Q49 is a strong score (it's right around the 80th percentile overall), so it could be enough to get you into your first-choice School. As such, a retest might not be necessary. Depending on the Schools you plan to apply to, you would likely find it beneficial to speak with an Admissions Expert about your overall profile. There's a Forum full of them here:
ask-admission-consultants-124/
GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your various score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (+/- a few points). As such, your current skills place you right around the 630 level. To hit the 700+ level, you're going to have to make some fundamental changes to how you deal with the Verbal section (and while you could pick up all of those missing points in the Verbal section, if you could squeeze out a few more points in the Quant section, then that would help). This is all meant to say that you have to learn/practice some new Tactics, so investing in some new study materials would make sense.
It's good to be a bit skeptical of any of the reviews that you read. Thankfully, there's a practical way to assess many of the practice materials that are available - Most GMAT Companies offer some type of free materials (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.) that you can use to 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a variety of those resources at our website (www.empowergmat.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of them then choose the one that best matches your personality, timeline and budget.
If you have any additional question, then you can feel free to contact me directly.
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
