I AM BACK! GMAT YOU ARE GOING DOWN!

Question

Just wanted to share what I've been through over the past year and hopefully encourage others too.

I had some terrible health problems over the past 9 months that severely affected my ability to concentrate and prepare for the GMAT exam. It was so bad that I was in and out of the hospital almost every other week, I have lost so much weight and I felt lethargic most of the time. Life seemed so pointless and I did think about ending it on multiple occasions.

But I am truly thankful for a wonderful counselor, Alice, I met at the hospital. Alice took a sincere interest in my life, encouraged me on, and shared with me so many inspiring stories of others who were in a similar situation and how they overcomed it against all odds. It was a painful process, but I eventually decided that my illness is NOT going to rob me of my life.

Fast forward half a year, I have pushed on and my condition is stabilised now. I am now gradually reintroducing the activities I was doing in my life before my nightmare happened, for me to feel normal again. It's still going to be an uphill challenge for me, but getting into grad school has been something I always dreamed about. This is something I really need to do for myself. And so, I AM BACK FOR YOU GMAT and YOU ARE GOING DOWN THIS TIME!

diegocml · Answer

That's the attitude, Black5tar!

Kick the GMAT in the teeth!

Go get 'em, tiger!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Black5tar,

Earlier this year, you were discussing plans to apply to PhD Programs with a goal score of 740+. Are all of those plans still the same (and is your goal score still the same?)? What does your overall timeline look like for this next attempt?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Black5tar · Answer

Thanks friend! Glad to know someone shares the same passion as me!

Black5tar · Answer

Hi Rich, yes your memory is very good! i am still looking at PhD programs, though i am probably going to give myself more time given all that has happened. i should be looking at around next aug for my next attempt? that should fit in nicely right before application season

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Black5tar,

Depending on the available study time that you have, and your current skills, you might be able to take the GMAT before next August and hit your score goal. How long have you been back at studying (or are you just getting re-started?)? When you feel up to it, you should plan to take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT (with the Essay and IR sections), so that we can get a sense of your current skills, strengths and weaknesses. Some of your GMAT 'skills' have likely faded over time, so you might be 'rusty' in some areas. We'll need an initial score though, so that we can craft a realistic timeline and study plan.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Black5tar · Answer

Thanks Rich, yes i am just getting re-started. Starting with a full length diagnostic test is a good idea. Will update you guys once i get that done!

Black5tar · Answer

i did my full length CAT and for the following score: 580 Q47 V26

seems like verbal is still my weakest link...

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Black5tar,

Considering everything that you've been through, this CAT score is a solid performance (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years). If your score goal is still 740+, then you're going to have to make some significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is still the same consistent, predictable Exam that it's always been, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

1) Since you're starting back up with your studies, how many hours do you think you'll be able to study each week going forward?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Black5tar · Answer

Thanks Rich, appreciate the encouragement! I am currently doing 10 hours a week. what do you recommend is ideal from your years of experience?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Black5tar,

10 hours a week is a solid time commitment; with your score goal, you'll likely end up increasing that commitment though. One of the important aspects of studying for the GMAT is to do your studying in small 'chunks' throughout the week and not try to 'cram' too hard on the weekends. If you do choose to study for longer sessions on Saturdays/Sundays, then you should plan to take 'breaks' every so often (for example, you might take 30-60 minutes 'off' for every 2 hours that you study). In 1-2 weeks, you should plan to take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT so we can gauge your progress so far.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

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I AM BACK! GMAT YOU ARE GOING DOWN!

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