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14 May 2015, 10:09
Kudos
Bookmarks
20 CATs, that is how many I have taken up to date. The road to break 700 for me was a grueling long road. I started off in August 2014, ready to apply Round 2. I bought the Manhattan GMAT (MGMAT) books and self studied for many hours a day, my very first diagnostic CAT before studying was around a 600. After 2 months of studying I took my first real GMAT and I got a 650, I thought ok first GMAT I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Additionally, while studying I had been visiting schools to see which I wanted to apply to.
After one more month of studying I felt great, I thought to myself "I GOT THIS," my CATs had gone up to the 710-730 range. At this point I had doubled my study hours. I go in to take the test and I get an absolutely crushing 660. 150+ more study hours yielded only a 10 point gain. I had never felt so miserable in my life, I even thought to myself 'Don't work too hard since it doesn't always pay off.' I became extremely pessimistic, that same day I was flying out to Stanford to visit the campus and felt like an idiot traveling to such a top tier school with such a crappy score. I applied to 3 top MBA schools Round 2 (did not apply to Stanford) and got dinged by all of them, even with using a well known MBA Admissions Consulting firm.
At this point I was at my absolute lowest. I thought 'Maybe I need some guidance from a professional.' I signed up for a Manhattan GMAT class that I attended on Saturdays, although it was very expensive it was WELL worth it. The class taught me that I was studying for the GMAT all wrong. The GMAT is completely different from any exam you have taken and thus cannot study for it the same way. You cannot cram for the GMAT, you do not excel by just learning the concepts and strategies, your score is maximized by perfecting execution. Drills! Drills! Drills! Practicing the execution of a somewhat simple concept multiple times to improve timing and accuracy. Mid way through the class I decided to take the GMAT again just to assess my progress and take it with the calm mindset of it being a dress rehearsal and that it was not the last opportunity I had to take it since the class was not done.
Still scoring in the 710-730 range in my practice CATs, I scored a 680 on my 3rd real GMAT, so I thought to myself 'Ok halfway through class I gained 20 points, after second half I'll gain another 20 and finally get to the 700 realm.' After finishing the class, which by then had added up to another set of 3 months of studying through the class and outside of the class, on my 4th and final GMAT attempt I scored a 740 Q49 V42. I was absolutely shocked, I even thought to myself, 'Nooooo, go home computer you are drunk.' I am finally extremely happy that hard work had finally paid off for me, scoring above my practice CATs which had NEVER ONCE happened.
Sometimes some people are not good test takers (like myself) and take twice or thrice the amount of time to study than the average person to get a good score. How long it takes is completely irrelevant, when I visited Wharton one admissions officer said she saw someone apply with 15 GMAT scores! I know this is not a common thing but don't let seeing people study for 1-2 months and get a 700+ on their first or second try let you down. Keep at it! No matter how many CATs or months it takes. If you are improving EVEN BY 10 POINTS KEEP AT IT! It may feel like you are equipped with a rock chisel to get through a brick wall where others are equipped with jackhammers. It's who has the perseverance to go the farthest, not how quickly or easily they get there. Let's see what you're made of.
I now can't wait to re-apply Round 1 of this year!
After one more month of studying I felt great, I thought to myself "I GOT THIS," my CATs had gone up to the 710-730 range. At this point I had doubled my study hours. I go in to take the test and I get an absolutely crushing 660. 150+ more study hours yielded only a 10 point gain. I had never felt so miserable in my life, I even thought to myself 'Don't work too hard since it doesn't always pay off.' I became extremely pessimistic, that same day I was flying out to Stanford to visit the campus and felt like an idiot traveling to such a top tier school with such a crappy score. I applied to 3 top MBA schools Round 2 (did not apply to Stanford) and got dinged by all of them, even with using a well known MBA Admissions Consulting firm.
At this point I was at my absolute lowest. I thought 'Maybe I need some guidance from a professional.' I signed up for a Manhattan GMAT class that I attended on Saturdays, although it was very expensive it was WELL worth it. The class taught me that I was studying for the GMAT all wrong. The GMAT is completely different from any exam you have taken and thus cannot study for it the same way. You cannot cram for the GMAT, you do not excel by just learning the concepts and strategies, your score is maximized by perfecting execution. Drills! Drills! Drills! Practicing the execution of a somewhat simple concept multiple times to improve timing and accuracy. Mid way through the class I decided to take the GMAT again just to assess my progress and take it with the calm mindset of it being a dress rehearsal and that it was not the last opportunity I had to take it since the class was not done.
Still scoring in the 710-730 range in my practice CATs, I scored a 680 on my 3rd real GMAT, so I thought to myself 'Ok halfway through class I gained 20 points, after second half I'll gain another 20 and finally get to the 700 realm.' After finishing the class, which by then had added up to another set of 3 months of studying through the class and outside of the class, on my 4th and final GMAT attempt I scored a 740 Q49 V42. I was absolutely shocked, I even thought to myself, 'Nooooo, go home computer you are drunk.' I am finally extremely happy that hard work had finally paid off for me, scoring above my practice CATs which had NEVER ONCE happened.
Sometimes some people are not good test takers (like myself) and take twice or thrice the amount of time to study than the average person to get a good score. How long it takes is completely irrelevant, when I visited Wharton one admissions officer said she saw someone apply with 15 GMAT scores! I know this is not a common thing but don't let seeing people study for 1-2 months and get a 700+ on their first or second try let you down. Keep at it! No matter how many CATs or months it takes. If you are improving EVEN BY 10 POINTS KEEP AT IT! It may feel like you are equipped with a rock chisel to get through a brick wall where others are equipped with jackhammers. It's who has the perseverance to go the farthest, not how quickly or easily they get there. Let's see what you're made of.
I now can't wait to re-apply Round 1 of this year!
14 May 2015, 22:48
Kudos
Bookmarks
Very nice debrief. Can you let me know which "well known MBA Admissions Consulting firm" did you hire for your applications?
I am quite far from reaching that stage, but it would be handy.
I am quite far from reaching that stage, but it would be handy.
15 May 2015, 08:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
Sent you a PM on the matter
