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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 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.
07 Jul 2021, 20:23
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I graduated with a Chemical Engineering Bachelors Degree from Calgary, AB, Canada. My GMAT journey began Dec 2020 when I decided to do my MBA to pivot into the Social Sector Industry. The first time I took a mock GMAT exam, I scored 500. I did some research for the optimal amount of study time based on my target score of 650 and came up with a rigorous 3 month study schedule based on the Magoosh study schedules. From January - April 2021, I studied three months straight for an average of 20 hours a week, totalling almost 250 hours of study. I studied with OG prep materials during this time and the Manhattan Sentence Correction and PowerScore Critical Reasoning Books. I also did the condensed one month Empower GMAT course for the last month of my study (it was a great course that taught me lots of strategies but I used it too late in my study to get full benefit from it - although Rich was amazing, offered me great advice, and even graciously followed up with me after my first exam). I completed all 6 OG practice exams and scheduled my exam for April 5, 2021. Scoring only 600, I was devastated. Although I improved by 100 points, I felt defeated, unfit for the GMAT and to do my MBA, and doubted my skills and abilities. It felt unfair and I felt hopeless that I studied for almost 250 hours, but still only got 600. I read a lot of helpful GMAT forums, watched videos on others GMAT experiences, took a week to sulk and then came up with a new plan.
These are some of the things I've learned through this journey and tips that I hope will help others:
More than anything, I found the GMAT for me was a test of mental strength. It was unlike any other exam I've ever done. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough or smart enough, and made me question if this was for me. After over 450 hours of study within a span of 6 months, and 16 GMAT practice exams, I scored 710 on my next GMAT attempt. I write this not for any reason, other than the hope to encourage others. Where ever you are on your GMAT journey, know that you aren't alone. Know that the GMAT is supposed to be hard, but also know that you are worthy of this and you are smart. The GMAT is not meant to be easy and you're not supposed to get it all right. Don't give up. You belong on this journey just as much as anyone else.
These are some of the things I've learned through this journey and tips that I hope will help others:
- - Spend more time learning concepts and skills, than trying to memorize things or take notes
- Quality over quantity! there is a never ending list of GMAT questions, and you can spend your whole life trying to do them all. Focus on the strategy and approach
- For every question, there is always only ONE right answer, and 4 wrong ones (this one is fairly intuitive but helped me especially for verbal)
- Do not score predict! The GMAT scoring algorithm is so complex and there are so many factors that go into it. Focus on one question at a time - the question in front of you
- I understood that some problems are infrequent on the GMAT that even if you don't know them, you can still get a high score (ie. probability, perms and coms), but my brain is wired to panic if there is a question I don't know how to even start to approach. So I took the time to learn each topic individually
- I broke down my study schedule into one topic per day (ie. Inequalities and Absolute Values, Work Problems, SC - Parallelism) and alternated between verbal and quant each week
- I found the GMAT topics webinars on Youtube helpful (from Manhattan, TTP, GMAT Whiz, Veritas Prep, etc). I watched videos on individual topics, and then would filter for those questions to practice on GMAT Club
- An error log!! I maintained an error log to track all my mistakes, where I went wrong, what I learned, and the next date that I will redo the problem
- The study materials I used for my next study round were: TTP course, Veritas Prep Course (I ended up not following the course and only using their practice exams), lots and lots of YouTube videos on GMAT topics, GMAT webinars, and GMAT club question bank
- I struggled with text anxiety so I did lots and lots of practice exams! I bought the 12 practice exams from Veritas Prep and did 10 of them
- Breathing exercises and journalling my thoughts and anxieties prior to each practice exam I took (this tip may not be for everyone, but the GMAT for me was mentally challenging and at times felt very demoralizing)
More than anything, I found the GMAT for me was a test of mental strength. It was unlike any other exam I've ever done. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough or smart enough, and made me question if this was for me. After over 450 hours of study within a span of 6 months, and 16 GMAT practice exams, I scored 710 on my next GMAT attempt. I write this not for any reason, other than the hope to encourage others. Where ever you are on your GMAT journey, know that you aren't alone. Know that the GMAT is supposed to be hard, but also know that you are worthy of this and you are smart. The GMAT is not meant to be easy and you're not supposed to get it all right. Don't give up. You belong on this journey just as much as anyone else.
07 Jul 2021, 20:32
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Thanks so much for your debrief! Sounds like you have tried a lot of products!!! Congrats on your stellar improvement! 200 points is HARD to achieve!
What did you do between April and now? What contributed to the last 100 points of improvement? from 600 to 710? Sorry that part of your journey seems a bit obscured
What did you do between April and now? What contributed to the last 100 points of improvement? from 600 to 710? Sorry that part of your journey seems a bit obscured
07 Jul 2021, 20:42
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Thank you! It felt like a long and defeating journey, but I'm relieved it's over. I tried the Veritas Prep self guided course and didn't really like it, so only ended up using their practice exams. I broke down my study schedule to master each individual quant and verbal topic (ie. percents, distance/rate, LCM/GCF, Radicals/Roots). With each specific topic, I watched a lot of YouTube GMAT videos, participated in the free webinars offered through GMAT Club, and did questions from each topic from GMAT Club. I also used the TTP course which I found helpful. The biggest things to help me overcome my test anxiety were doing lots of practice exams and working to reframe my thoughts about the GMAT. Deep breathing exercises and journalling to stay grounded - the GMAT for me was a mental game over anything else
Posted from my mobile device
Posted from my mobile device
