My GMAT Journey to scoring 600 (Q44 V28) from 470!!!

My GMAT Journey began during last year November. Upon the recommendation of my friend and my own research from the gmat forums (GMAT Club and Beat the GMAT) i decided to study from the following materials :

Manhattan SC , CR and RC .
Official Guide , Official guide verbal review and Official guide quant review.

I had exhausted all the Manhattan materials and the Official guide within a month (November) by studying weekly for at least 15-20 hours irrespective of the work constraint.

Since i had booked my GMAT Date in January of this year . I had a month left to finish the OG Verbal and OG Quant after which i would be taking the Mock Cats.

By mid month of December i was done covering up OG Verbal & OG Quant and now it was the moment of truth i.e the CATS.

I took the free veritas CAT in the beginning and scored 560 (Q45 V21) . Honestly i was not happy with the result as i was aiming for a 700+ score. I focused on my weak areas for the next few days.
I then took the free Manhattan CAT and again to my disappointment my marks downgraded further to 530. I was completely disheartened by the result but i never gave up and again worked my way through my weak areas , especially in Verbal. Around this time i got to know from one of my office colleague who gave the GMAT recently that the most accurate score indicator with respect to the Real GMAT would be to take the GMAT Prep tests. So for my next test i had downloaded the two free tests available GMAT Prep 1 and Prep 2.During the GMAT Prep 1 Test i knew the result is not going to be good and when the scorecard flashed across my face i was further dejected - it showed my score as 470!!

This was the time when i decided that i needed to reschedule the test and improve my basics. Therefore i rescheduled the Exam to May. In the meantime i had enrolled for a coaching class near my vicinity to help me strengthen my basics in verbal and quant. Unfortunately i could not focus much on my preparation because my hectic office life . Now i used to study just 5 -6 hours during the week. The coaching classes helped me in strengthening my basics . By March midweek my hectic office life became stable and as a result i could get more time to prepare. I started giving the GMAT Prep tests on a weekly basis from April third week could see my score in the range between 550 - 600 . I had a discussion with my coaching staff and they advised me give the exam in August since i was looking to apply for the MBA next year Spring onwards and also how they can further help me to achieve my desired score of 700+ , But i could no longer again think of rescheduling my exam so i thought let me give it a shot as their is always a next time.

My GMAT Exam was scheduled on 2nd week of May. Therefore i did all the necessary revision of the concepts and a day before the exam was completely relaxed. A relaxed state of mind always brings out the best in you. The next day i gave my GMAT test in a calm and composed manner not worrying much. As my scorecard popped up on the screen i was ecstatic to see that i had scored 600!!!! . It was my best performance till date I am immensely motivated to perform further well to achieve my dream score of 700+ .

Overall i would like to convey that strive for the things that you really want in life and never stop believing in yourself. If i could do it then i am sure that each and everyone of you could do it as well.