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My GMAT take 2

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siddddd
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My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2016, 10:02
I'm starting this post to trace my prep for GMAT. As far as my background goes, I'm an engineer from India who did his MBA from one of the top schools in India then worked in technology for 12 years, 6 in the states and now am moving back there. Thinking of a small break in my career and doing an mba from there has always been on my mind. But taking the GMAT again at 35 probably will not be the easiest undertaking. I had taken the GMAT back in 2007 and had a score of 770 which lapsed since I did not apply. Here's hoping this second attempt will be as good or better :-D . I'll be using Kaplans self prep course and plan to take the test in June with about 6 weeks of prep.
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2016, 10:53
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Hi siddddd,

While the GMAT has gone through some changes since you last took it (most notably the inclusion of the IR section and the removal of the Issue Essay), the general content and 'design' of the Test hasn't changed too much since you last took it. Since you scored 770 last time, and it's not likely that you've lost all of those skills, you would probably score fairly well if you took the GMAT today. As a starting point for this new round of studies, it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). That score will give us a good sense of your current strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. You should post back here with those scores and we can talk through your study plans.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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siddddd
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   16 Apr 2016, 13:45
EMPOWERgmatRichC wrote:
Hi siddddd,

While the GMAT has gone through some changes since you last took it (most notably the inclusion of the IR section and the removal of the Issue Essay), the general content and 'design' of the Test hasn't changed too much since you last took it. Since you scored 770 last time, and it's not likely that you've lost all of those skills, you would probably score fairly well if you took the GMAT today. As a starting point for this new round of studies, it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can download 2 for free from (and they come with some additional practice materials). That score will give us a good sense of your current strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. You should post back here with those scores and we can talk through your study plans.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich


Thanks for the tips Rich. Much appreciated. Did my first Kaplan test with absolutely no prep and here are my scores:
Total score: 680
Quant: 47
Verbal : 37
Integrated reasoning: 7

I realized during the test that I remembered nothing about sets, permutations and combinations so just marked random choices and most of them turned out to be wrong but I also was short on time and rushed at the end. Also was short on time for IR. Verbal I had plenty of time but ended up making mistakes there too so definitely have a lot of work to do :)
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   17 Apr 2016, 12:25
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Hi siddddd,

Considering how long it's been since you were in 'study mode', this 680 is a really strong performance. I have a few questions about this CAT though:

1) Was this a free 'marketing' CAT or one that you paid for?
2) Did you complete the Essay portion or did you skip it?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   18 Apr 2016, 07:58
770 on GMAT 9 years back and 680 on Kaplan test with zero preparation! Looks like the 770 record might be on its way to be broken by you!
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   19 Apr 2016, 03:55
Sorry for the late response. Was out for a day. @Rich...Thanks! This was the first test that Kaplan provides along with its self prep course that I took. I did complete the essay portion as I wanted to make it as realistic as possible(though I did take it from midnight to 3AM so not quite realistic :)). @Prijith, thanks for the kind words but I can see some areas where I have no clue whatsoever and given I have about 6 weeks to prep, my work is cut out for me.
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   01 Oct 2016, 22:07
Back after a long break. Ended up having a slipped disc in my back and had to postpone my exam. I'm taking it on the 6th of Oct, a few weeks past what I had intended. Took my first practice test, the Brightest Minds MBA Scholarship test and scored a 750. I plan to take 2 tests a day(the GMAT Prep software ones and Kaplan) until test day finetuning areas where I see myself lagging behind. Anybody got any suggestions for other paid tests that would help me practice?
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   02 Oct 2016, 11:43
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Hi siddddd,

Since you're so close to your Official Test Date, you should NOT be taking any CATs at this point (much less a CAT a day or two CATs a day). There's no benefit to taking CATs now - and you would be more likely to 'burn out' before Test Day - which is something that you want to avoid. In these last few days, you might find it useful to review some of the earlier material that you worked on (and even revisit any CAT questions that you got wrong months ago). At this point, you should be doing light work only (NO CATs and NO cramming) and trying to get a bit of extra rest. You'll be better served going into Test Day calm, well-rested and ready to work than trying to cram in a lot of unnecessary practice into these last few days.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   02 Oct 2016, 17:22
Thanks Rich! That makes sense. However since I have only done 2 full length CATs during my prep I would feel more comfortable if I could do at least one or two more so I can build some stamina and know what to expect. Which one would you recommend if I wanted to do a CAT that is very representative of the GMAT
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   02 Oct 2016, 17:29
Just for reference, so far my prep has included the OG, verbal and quant OGs as well as Kaplan prep.
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EMPOWERgmatRichC
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   02 Oct 2016, 19:21
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Hi siddddd,

The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC (the 2 free CATs, and each of the 2 that come with Exam Pack 1 and Exam Pack 2). Just to reiterate the prior point though, there is very little benefit to taking any additional CATs at this point (and there's the potential for some negative 'side effects' that you really want to avoid).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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Re: My GMAT take 2 [#permalink] New post   05 Oct 2016, 20:05
Thanks again Rich... I ended up doing the two GMAC tests and getting a 760 each time. I do understand why you said not to be doing a ton of tests at the last moment but since my prep was so compressed I had not built any stamina doing full length tests and realized a few issues only by doing these. Now I'm trying to fall asleep with butterflies in my tummy trying not to think of the test tomorrow. Fingers crossed :).
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