Hey everyone, Aniket here, and I want to share my GMAT journey with you. English wasn't my forte until after the 10th grade – I used to make basic mistakes like saying "I is." But everything changed when I decided to tackle the GMAT.
I thought reading novels would make me adept at Reading Comprehension (RC), but that was a myth. Novels didn't align with GMAT's structured passages. So, I shifted focus to strategies like deducing the primary purpose, significantly improving my speed.
Fast forward to my second attempt, and I scored a whopping 740, landing in the top 3 percentile globally. After an initial disappointment with a 660 in my first attempt, this was a huge relief. Competitive exams are nerve-wracking, but achieving a top percentile is incredibly satisfying. It's like that moment in Kota Factory when Jeetu Bhaiya talks about doing things because they're tough. Getting into the top percentiles is tough, but the sense of accomplishment is worth it.
I'm here to share my experiences, hoping that even if one person finds inspiration in my journey, it would make a difference. So, keep pushing, set your goals, and when you achieve them, that feeling of satisfaction is unlike anything else. You'll know you can crack tough exams and stand out wherever you go.
Reflecting on my journey, I want to stress that competition is endless, whether you're a startup founder or part of a big or small organization. The GMAT score, in my case, a 740, becomes a constant source of confidence. It's a feeling that never really fades. It was a huge relief to realize that I could indeed tackle tough exams.
Now, let's delve into the journey itself—the obstacles, wrong decisions, and the whole experience. But before we dive in, let me give you a bit of background. I come from a Marathi background, and English wasn't my strong suit until after my 10th grade. I used to make mistakes in subject-verb agreements, saying things like "I is." It wasn't until my corporate experience, about 8 years into my career, that my English improved gradually.
Despite having confidence in my mathematical abilities, I wasn't as confident in English. I started preparing for the GMAT after around 8 years of corporate experience. Interestingly, I had a strong foundation, having scored around 96-97%ile in the XAT. This gave me some confidence that I could crack competitive exams with more effort.
However, the GMAT proved to be a different beast. The pattern was entirely different from what I was used to in exams like the XAT. GMAT's English section was considered tougher than quant, and the adaptive nature of the test added another layer of complexity. In my first attempt, all the confidence I had built up came crashing down.
But this setback didn't discourage me. I knew I had to reassess my approach and make some changes. Stay tuned to find out how I turned things around in my second attempt.
In my first attempt, it became clear that cracking the GMAT wasn't going to happen without serious efforts. So, that's why I sought help. Having data analytics experience, I valued a data-driven approach. The mentor at
e-GMAT, during our initial conversation, highlighted this approach and the customization based on my existing skill level. That convinced me to give it a shot.
Once I started with the
e-GMAT trial version, I saw the value they provided. The mentor not only walked me through the entire journey of someone who improved from 660 to 760 but also used data to identify my specific improvement areas. It wasn't just words; it was a well-thought-out strategy.
The customization aspect was key because it allowed me to focus on the areas where I needed improvement the most. The
e-GMAT course was designed to cater to my specific needs, building on the foundation I already had from my first attempt. The mentor's efforts in showcasing the data-driven approach and the potential for improvement sealed the deal for me.
Choosing
e-GMAT turned out to be a game-changer. The rest, as they say, is history. The course not only improved my weaknesses but also boosted my confidence and performance, eventually leading to my success in the GMAT.
So, the customization and the data-driven approach were pivotal aspects that made
e-GMAT the right choice for me. It's more than just a course; it's a personalized learning journey that aligns with your individual strengths and weaknesses.
I faced challenges in the verbal section of the GMAT, particularly in reading comprehension (RC). Despite being an avid reader of novels, I struggled with the structured and non-conversational style of GMAT RC passages. Realizing the need for improvement, I accepted my weaknesses and sought guidance.
To enhance my RC skills, I diligently followed strategies recommended by my mentor, Payal. I engaged in daily practice, reading articles from sources like the Wall Street Journal and Hindu, summarizing key points, and gradually improving my reading speed. I emphasized the importance of reading the entire passage thoroughly, contrary to common myths about skipping lines or focusing on specific sections.
I also switched from reading novels to reported speech books, such as historical works by J Sai Deepak, to adapt to the GMAT RC's informational and analytical content. Through consistent effort and persistence, I significantly improved my RC performance, moving from the 16th percentile to above the 90th percentile.
For sentence correction (SC), I used
e-GMAT's structured stages, focusing on mastery-level questions. I appreciated the difficulty of
e-GMAT's SC examples, which prepared me for the nuanced differences in answer choices on the actual GMAT. I emphasized the importance of understanding the meaning of sentences in SC, as it played a pivotal role in answering questions correctly.
Overall, my story highlights the significance of acknowledging weaknesses, seeking effective strategies, and consistently practicing to overcome challenges in GMAT verbal sections.
During my GMAT journey, I faced challenges in the verbal section, emphasizing the importance of understanding the meaning before exploring answer choices. I highlighted the significance of practicing with quality materials like
e-GMAT for sentence correction (SC) and reading comprehension (RC) to align with GMAT language.
In critical reasoning (CR), I shifted the strategy from reading questions first to thoroughly understanding passages before tackling questions. I stressed the value of pre-thinking to structure the argument mentally, aiding in quicker and more accurate responses.
I credit my wife as a significant supporter throughout my GMAT journey and express gratitude for the guidance and support provided by Dhruv Joshi. I conclude by advising others not to underestimate any section and to give their best effort in every aspect of GMAT preparation.
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19 Nov 2023, 12:32
