Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
-12:00 PM EDT
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
-11:00 AM PDT
Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
25 Oct 2023, 12:24
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi, I'm Daniel, and I'm excited to share my GMAT journey with you. I recently achieved a GMAT score of 730, with a V41 and Q48.
The road to this achievement wasn't easy, and I encountered several challenges along the way. In this debrief post, I'll take you through my GMAT experience, the obstacles I faced, the strategies I used, and the valuable lessons I learned during this journey.
A Bit About Myself: Before delving into my GMAT experience, here's a bit about me... I hail from a small Mediterranean island in Spain. I hold a degree in computer engineering and formerly worked at Microsoft. I had been studying on and off since 2021, switched jobs in between with very long & intense working hours, and only took the test seriously starting in early 2023.
Facing Challenges and Struggles
Reflecting on my GMAT journey, the biggest challenge I encountered was boosting my Quant score. Verbal came naturally to me. I had completed TTP with significant amount of study, but time management and dealing with the pressure of the test environment were significant hurdles. These challenges prevented me from achieving the target score during my first attempt.
The Missing Piece
In comparing my first GMAT attempt (690) to my final score (730), I realized that I had the necessary conceptual knowledge, but something was missing. I understood what this missing piece was only after signing up for e-GMAT, and it turned about to be essential for achieving a higher score. It was what they call "process skills". While the basic concept skills are essential, it's the process skills that help you apply these concepts effectively on challenging questions. These process skills encompass how you approach questions, combining different concept skills, handling constraints, and thinking critically. For me, these didn't come naturally. Recognizing their importance and taking conscious efforts to approach the questions in a certain way was a turning point in my GMAT journey.
Test Readiness Phase
After brushing up on concept and learning the required process skills for all of e-GMAT's quant course, I went into what e-GMAT calls "test readiness" to bridge the gap between concept and process application. This phase involved practicing with mixed question sets to enhance my overall test-taking abilities. It allowed me to gradually build the foundational skills needed to face the GMAT's challenges. Here, maintaining an error log was critical, to reflect on how you approached wrong questions and to review it often days after.
The Value of a Mentor and a Support System:
Throughout my GMAT journey, I had a mentor by my side as part of the Last Mile Push program. Rida played a crucial role in guiding me through the ups and downs of the preparation process. Her insights, advice, and support were instrumental in helping me stay on the right track. THANK YOU!
Apart from a mentor, having a strong support system is vital. During the GMAT preparation, you can get lost in the study loop. I was fortunate to have the support of my wife, who understood the commitment and investment required for this journey. Having someone who encourages you and helps you stay focused is essential.
Dealing with Setbacks:
One of the significant setbacks during my GMAT journey was my official second attempt. Due to technical issues, I had to cancel the test after 20 minutes. It was frustrating and disheartening, given the time and effort I had invested. Initially, I considered quitting, but then I realized I had to persevere and continue. The support from my mentor and external support system played a crucial role in my decision to push forward. Perseverance and daily commitment plays a significant role in GMAT success. This is particularly important if you have a stressful day to day job. It's essential to stay focused, maintain a positive mindset, and push through challenges. While the GMAT can be mentally demanding, it's also an opportunity to build resilience and stamina that can be applied to various aspects of life.
Closing Thoughts and Advice:
My GMAT journey was a roller coaster ride with its share of challenges and triumphs. If I had to offer advice to future GMAT test-takers, I would stress two points:
1. Mental Preparation: Prepare yourself mentally for the GMAT journey. Recognize that it's a time commitment and a test of your ability to persevere. Trust in your preparation and stay confident throughout the process.
2. Effective Tools: Choose the right tools and resources for your GMAT preparation. Platforms like e-GMAT offer not only a structured approach but also insights, analytics, and mentorship that can significantly accelerate your learning. I completed TTP prior to signing up for e-GMAT and found I lacked fundamental process skills, in a way that only e-GMAT teaches you. Scholaranium, personalized study plans, and sub-sectional AI-based insights are the strongest points on the platform. Mocks are a strong predictor of actual test performance (in the +/-10% I found)
The GMAT is a test, and with the right mindset and preparation, you can conquer it. I wish you all the best in your GMAT journey.
Happy learning and stay determined!
The road to this achievement wasn't easy, and I encountered several challenges along the way. In this debrief post, I'll take you through my GMAT experience, the obstacles I faced, the strategies I used, and the valuable lessons I learned during this journey.
A Bit About Myself: Before delving into my GMAT experience, here's a bit about me... I hail from a small Mediterranean island in Spain. I hold a degree in computer engineering and formerly worked at Microsoft. I had been studying on and off since 2021, switched jobs in between with very long & intense working hours, and only took the test seriously starting in early 2023.
Facing Challenges and Struggles
Reflecting on my GMAT journey, the biggest challenge I encountered was boosting my Quant score. Verbal came naturally to me. I had completed TTP with significant amount of study, but time management and dealing with the pressure of the test environment were significant hurdles. These challenges prevented me from achieving the target score during my first attempt.
The Missing Piece
In comparing my first GMAT attempt (690) to my final score (730), I realized that I had the necessary conceptual knowledge, but something was missing. I understood what this missing piece was only after signing up for e-GMAT, and it turned about to be essential for achieving a higher score. It was what they call "process skills". While the basic concept skills are essential, it's the process skills that help you apply these concepts effectively on challenging questions. These process skills encompass how you approach questions, combining different concept skills, handling constraints, and thinking critically. For me, these didn't come naturally. Recognizing their importance and taking conscious efforts to approach the questions in a certain way was a turning point in my GMAT journey.
Test Readiness Phase
After brushing up on concept and learning the required process skills for all of e-GMAT's quant course, I went into what e-GMAT calls "test readiness" to bridge the gap between concept and process application. This phase involved practicing with mixed question sets to enhance my overall test-taking abilities. It allowed me to gradually build the foundational skills needed to face the GMAT's challenges. Here, maintaining an error log was critical, to reflect on how you approached wrong questions and to review it often days after.
The Value of a Mentor and a Support System:
Throughout my GMAT journey, I had a mentor by my side as part of the Last Mile Push program. Rida played a crucial role in guiding me through the ups and downs of the preparation process. Her insights, advice, and support were instrumental in helping me stay on the right track. THANK YOU!
Apart from a mentor, having a strong support system is vital. During the GMAT preparation, you can get lost in the study loop. I was fortunate to have the support of my wife, who understood the commitment and investment required for this journey. Having someone who encourages you and helps you stay focused is essential.
Dealing with Setbacks:
One of the significant setbacks during my GMAT journey was my official second attempt. Due to technical issues, I had to cancel the test after 20 minutes. It was frustrating and disheartening, given the time and effort I had invested. Initially, I considered quitting, but then I realized I had to persevere and continue. The support from my mentor and external support system played a crucial role in my decision to push forward. Perseverance and daily commitment plays a significant role in GMAT success. This is particularly important if you have a stressful day to day job. It's essential to stay focused, maintain a positive mindset, and push through challenges. While the GMAT can be mentally demanding, it's also an opportunity to build resilience and stamina that can be applied to various aspects of life.
Closing Thoughts and Advice:
My GMAT journey was a roller coaster ride with its share of challenges and triumphs. If I had to offer advice to future GMAT test-takers, I would stress two points:
1. Mental Preparation: Prepare yourself mentally for the GMAT journey. Recognize that it's a time commitment and a test of your ability to persevere. Trust in your preparation and stay confident throughout the process.
2. Effective Tools: Choose the right tools and resources for your GMAT preparation. Platforms like e-GMAT offer not only a structured approach but also insights, analytics, and mentorship that can significantly accelerate your learning. I completed TTP prior to signing up for e-GMAT and found I lacked fundamental process skills, in a way that only e-GMAT teaches you. Scholaranium, personalized study plans, and sub-sectional AI-based insights are the strongest points on the platform. Mocks are a strong predictor of actual test performance (in the +/-10% I found)
The GMAT is a test, and with the right mindset and preparation, you can conquer it. I wish you all the best in your GMAT journey.
Happy learning and stay determined!
25 Oct 2023, 12:25
Kudos
Bookmarks
Gratz on the 730. All the best going forward.
-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm
-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm
Moderator:
