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1. GMAT 1 - 640 (Q39 V39) - Debrief
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4. Kaladin's Magic Pill for a 700 score


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Sorry about posting this after so long.

Books & materials used
Quant

• Nova's Math Prep, Nova's DS Prep: Good for basics but have a lot of typos
• Veritas & GMATPrep: Used these two for practice

Verbal

• Nova's GMAT Prep: Good intro to the basics, but didn't find much value in it for SC & CR.
• Veritas & GMATPrep: Used these two for regular practice

Test Scores
Scored a 640 (Q39 V39) in August 2019.

• 11-Jun-18 | Official 1 | 590(Q36 V35)
• 29-Jun-19 | Veritas 1 | 470(Q29 V26)
• 30-Jun-19 | Veritas 2 | 540(Q37 V27)
• 06-Jul-19 | Veritas 3 | 500(Q28 V32)
• 27-Jul-19 | Veritas 4 | 450(Q31 V22)
• 08-Aug-19 | Official 2 | 590(Q39 V33)
• 09-Aug-19 | Veritas 5 | 670(Q47 V35)
• 10-Aug-19 | Veritas 6 | 600(Q43 V30)
• 10-Aug-19 | Veritas 7 | 650(Q44 V36)
• 11-Aug-19 | Official 3 | 640(Q40 V38)
• 12-Aug-19 | Official 4 | 630(Q41 V35)
• 13-Aug-19 | Re-Official 1 | 710(Q47 V41)
• 14-Aug-19 | Re-Official 2 | 630(Q46 V31)
• 16-Aug-19 | D-Day | 640(Q39 V39)

Background Information
I am an IT engineer in India.

General Strategy
My general strategy was centred around taking lots and lots of practice tests. The practice tests definitely helped me get over my test anxiety. However, I now feel that I should have spent more time working on my basic concepts.

Things I wish I knew

• No magic pill: l wish I knew that no GMAT course can teach me something instantly. There is no magic pill. No shortcut.
  If you've seen 1999 film "The Matrix", you will remember the scene where Neo learns advanced martial arts in a couple of seconds.
  In the real world, learning takes time. It happens not when you study the concepts but while you practice problems and re-inforce those concepts through practice.
  Unfortunately for me, I realised this too late. I realised this after I fell prey to the hype around a certain GMAT Math product. While the product itself isn't too bad, my expectations from it were unrealistic.
• Studying same thing from multiple books: Another mistake that I made: I studied the same topic from multiple books. For example, I studied sentence correction first from Nova, then from Veritas. Instead of wasting time learning the same contents from two books, I could have spent time practising OG questions.
• Taking too many tests: Although, I benefited from taking a dozen practice tests before the actual GMAT, I might have been over zealous in this matter. I realise now that I took too many tests. I should have spent more time working on my foundation. Also, I should have maintained an error log and reviewed my mistakes at regular intervals.

GMAT Test Experience (16-Aug-2019)
My actual test went very much as expected. I scored a 640 (Q39 V39) which was close to what I was getting in my practice tests scores.
I reached the test centre an hour before schedule and had to wait outside for the staff to arrive.
I did not solve any questions before the test to warm-up. This is something I'll do next time.
Overall, my test experience was positive.
I had taken a dozen practice tests so I knew what to expect. In fact, these practice tests had prepared me for the worst. Even though, my computer crashed during the test. I was able to take it in my stride and continue with the test.
I had also practised writing on a scratch pad so that didn't stump me either.

TLDR;
Test experience was positive. The actual test went just like any other practice test.
There were gaps in my preparation that I shall fill before I take the test again.
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Hi kaladin123,

To start, a 640 is a solid Score, but the Q39 will likely be seen as a potential 'red flag' at many Programs - so retesting (with the goal of scoring higher in the Quant section) is a good idea.

Regardless of how you choose to proceed with your studies, it's worth noting that while the most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are). Thankfully, the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT and Veritas are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they will provide you with a relatively realistic score assessment (assuming that you correctly take the CAT in a realistic fashion) - so you can use any NEW CATs from any of those sources during this next phase of your studies.

GMAT skills can 'fade' over time. Between your two recent posts, it appears that you have not taken a FULL-LENGTH CAT since you took the Official GMAT (back in August). As such, I strongly recommend that you take a NEW CAT sometime soon and make sure to take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss how best to proceed.

Beyond that data, before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) Since you took the GMAT, what type of study plan have you been following? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What is your overall goal score?
3) What 'brands' of CATs/mocks have you used over the course of ALL of your studies?
4) When are you planning to retake the GMAT?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

You might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Hi kaladin123 ..
Thank you posting this. Your verbal score is fantastic. Quant score seriously needs improvement. Q39 suggests that you lack some basic fundamentals of Quant. You need to put some time in understanding concepts followed by practicing questions on the concepts. I think you are self preparing. Why don't you take a course which can help you to get a good score. I can recommend you 'TTP' or 'EmpowerGmat' for Quant prep. Take a look on their trial versions. I am sure that with correct strategy and dedication, you can cross 700 mark. All the best.


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Thanks Rich. Really appreciate your help.
Am planning to work on the basics for some more time before I take a full CAT.


I have replied inline.


Will definitely take you up on your offer. Have sent you a PM.
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I am going to use the streaks approach to brush up on the core concepts.
Have created a basic dashboard to track my progress.

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Thanks for sharing. If you need any advice regarding your plan moving forward, feel free to reach out.
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Hi kaladin123,

I've sent you a PM with an analysis of your ESR and some additional notes.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Staying motivated and putting in the hard yards over a long period is admirable. Not everyone starts the GMAT with the same foundations. Well done lad

Hi,Kaladin123,

Thanks for sharing your story especially your lessons, which can help other students if they are in the same boat as you are.
Best of luck for your target score.
Regards

Posted from my mobile device

Congrats kaladin123 for achieving 640. It is sufficient score to apply to many MBA programs in Asia, Australia, and Canada and in top-30s business schools in USA.

Retesting is needed if you aim for top business schools in USA and Europe.

Good luck for your MBA application

Posted from my mobile device

Congrats kaladin123

You have tried to exceed your grasp, I really appreciate that. Kudos! Keep going
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Quick update:
I have signed up for the Target Test Prep quant course.
Also, I have practised sub 600 questions from 2 SC topics and 1 CR topic.

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Took the TTP diagnostic test.
My "initial level of preparedness" has been assessed as medium.


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Not a bad start! Have you started the TTP course?
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Yes. Am working through chapter 1 "Essential GMAT Quant Skills" now.
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I have gone through the content from chapter 1 and have taken 8 of the 9 associated chapter tests.
I am pleasantly surprised by how exhaustive the TTP Quant course is. The user interface is refreshing.
Also, I have started using Anki for reviews.

Posted from my mobile device
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Awesome!! I’m here if you need me.
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Have completed the module on Linear & Quadratic Equations from TTP.
After reviewing my test results, I noticed that I am having particular trouble solving Diophantine Equations.
Have watched the recent video on the GMATClub youtube channel on this subject. But I'm still not comfortable solving this kind of problem.
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February was a good month for me. I must have put in at least 50 hours of study.
My Quant prep is on track. I started the TTP Quant course on 2-Feb, and since then I have studied 30% of their material.
However, I was not able to study Verbal as much. This will need to be remedied in the upcoming weeks.
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