Background: I am a software engineer with over 9 YOE. Yeah, I understand I am starting very late 🤐.
I gave my first test recently on July 27. Considering my background and age, I need a minimum of ~695. Though I had an eGMAT subscription since last July, I was barely studying it. I started preparing seriously at the start of the year. Before I began proper preparation, I took a mock test on Classical to test my level and got 420 (what a number 😉). Then, I prepared more seriously, targeting a test at the end of June. I realized by June that I had not reached the level, so I delayed it by a month and finally took the exam on July 27.
Time management: I used the technique mentioned here, which has helped me improve my timing. I used to miss a lot of questions in previous mocks, but this has let me at least complete most of them.
Considering my age, I only have a little time to pursue an MBA. My goal is to apply to my target school in Round 2, and for that, I aim to achieve a score of 695 by mid-October. My remote job allows me to study 5-7 hours daily on weekdays and more on weekends.
Question 1: Do you think this is achievable? If not, then according to you, what should be the test date?
Quant: I need help to improve from here. I need to work on Algebra, Probability, Combinations, and Sets. Are there any additional areas I should focus on?
Verbal: This is the biggest challenge for me. I get lost in the RC passage or lose focus. These two have helped me improve, but I feel stuck again and not getting any better.
DI: I expected it to be easier, but it's pulling me down a lot. I need help understanding TPA verbally. Everything else is also wrong, except for a few easier Quant DS, graphs, and charts.
Tools: I am using eGMAT and GMAT Club to prepare.
Mock scores:
- Feb 10 (Classical): V16, Q33 and IR3 - 420
- April 10: V75, Q79 and DI64 - 455
- April 27: V75, Q76 and DI64 - 435
- May 19: V64, Q76 and DI68 - 395
- July 21: V76, Q80 and DI71 - 515
After my last mock, I realized that whatever I did wouldn't get me my target score, so I stopped studying until the exam and saw what I got. I got a score of 565.
Question 2: Could someone please review my exam report and provide feedback on how I can improve to achieve a score of 695 or higher? I hope my expectations are not unrealistic.
I could also improve at reviewing. I need to learn how to review, which also greatly hinders me.
Exam Report: July 27: V79, Q80 and DI75 - 565
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