Hello fellow GMAT aspirants,
I'm Gokul, and I recently scored a 665 on my GMAT, which to my delight, placed me in the 94th percentile. I wanted to share my journey and the strategies that helped me achieve this score, hoping it might aid others in their preparation.
BackgroundMy background is in mechanical engineering, and I've been working as a Project Assistant at the Aeronautical Development Agency. With over five years of experience, I felt ready to take the next step in my career.
Early ChallengesA pivotal moment in my preparation came after my first mock test. Despite my background and initial confidence, the mock test score of 565 was a wake-up call. This score, though not what I had hoped for, was instrumental in shaping the rest of my journey. It drove home the point that understanding the content wasn't enough; I needed to master the art of applying this knowledge under the time constraints and pressure of the actual test. This realization led me to
e-GMAT in November.
Preparation Strategy with e-GMATInitially, I struggled, especially with the verbal section. The reading strategies I learned from
e-GMAT, such as where to pause and comprehend, summarizing each paragraph, and being aware of strategic points, were game changers for me.
e-GMAT offers a unique blend of structured learning, interactive content, and personalized feedback. Its well-organized curriculum guided me methodically through the GMAT syllabus, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all topics. What set
e-GMAT apart was its interactive approach to learning. This wasn't just about listening to lectures; it involved active participation, which significantly enhanced my retention of complex concepts.
I followed the
e-GMAT course diligently, starting with verbal and then moving to quant. In verbal I completed each of the sub-sections CR and RC by first completing the course and then moving to the cementing stage. The cementing stage was highly beneficial as it helped me build my ability to solve Medium and Hard questions in a timed environment to perfect my approach. Here I had thresholds set, so to clear cementing I had to pass 2 Medium cementing quizzes with 70% and 3 Hard cementing quizzes with 50%.
The mentorship support i received from the
e-GMAT team when they found that I was struggling in the cementing phase was commendable. From the data generated, they analysed the sub sections where I was faltering and provided me with customised additional material which helped me to improve in accuracy and speed in the CR section.
After Verbal I moved in to Quant. Although it was my strength, I made sure to leave no stone unturned and completed the entire course P.A.C.E. enabled which helped me save close to 22 hours of prep time.
The skills like comprehension in verbal and approximation in quant sessions unexpectedly boosted my accuracy in data insights, illustrating how interconnected these competencies are. I followed the course structure just as recommended.
Moreover,
e-GMAT's emphasis on test-taking strategies prepared me for the real test environment. I learned how to approach questions, manage time efficiently, and avoid common pitfalls - skills that were crucial on test day. The relevance and quality of the
e-GMAT's practice questions, closely resembling those in the actual GMAT, ensured that I was well-prepared for what to expect.
The Importance of MocksOne regret I have is not taking enough mock tests. I believe they are essential for acclimatizing to the test environment and should be a part of everyone's preparation if time allows.
Test Day StrategyChoosing the right sequence for the test sections was crucial. Initially, I planned to start with verbal, but after reading an interview with a successful candidate, I changed my strategy. I chose to begin with quant, my strong suit, followed by a break to clear my mind before tackling the more challenging verbal section, and ending with data insights.
This approach worked well for me and helped me get to 665 on GFE 😊, but I believe it's a highly subjective choice.
ConclusionIn conclusion, while resources and coaching can guide you, leveraging these tools effectively is up to you. I hope my journey and the insights I've shared will help you in your GMAT preparation. Remember, with the right strategy and dedication, achieving a high score is definitely within reach.
Best of luck to all of you!
Gokul