Hey everyone!
I am here to share my GMAT experience with you all. It's the story of how I transformed my score from 595 to an impressive 705, complete with a perfect Q90 that still brings a smile to my face.
As a BBA graduate working in consulting, I initially approached the GMAT with a feeling of crossing the finish line as soon as I could and I experiences with prior competitive exams made me believe that it would be a walk in the park, however little did I know the challenges ahead!
My first diagnostic score was a 595 (V81, Q81, DI76). It felt like a punch to the gut. That score was a wake-up call, shouting at me that my past academic success wasn't going to cut it here. I needed a game plan, and I needed one fast.
After some reaching out to friends, I found
e-GMAT. Their structured approach appealed to me, so I decided to give it a shot. This decision was the turning point of my GMAT journey. 😊
Quant: From good to perfect Q90Now, quant had always been my strong suit. Starting with a Q81 wasn't bad, but I knew I could do better. The
e-GMAT P.A.C.E engine became my best friend here. It was like having a personal trainer, pointing out exactly where I needed to bulk up my skills. In total P.A.C.E. helped me save a total of 36 hours in my Quant prep.
But here's the kicker - I realized it wasn't just about knowing the math. It was about having an eye for detail. GMAT quant questions can be quite tricky at times, always trying to trip you up with a misplaced word or a hidden constraint. I had to train myself to read questions like a lawyer examining a contract and look into the minute details.
I still remember the day I hit 75% accuracy on hard questions in Scholaranium. This did give me some relief and I immediately dropped in a message to my mentor that this phase was done.
Data Insights: My Unexpected ComebackI largely struggled with timing in DI and consistent sectional tests and strategic time management in mocks helped me push the scores up.
DI ended up being my biggest improvement story. I went from struggling to even finish the section to scoring in the 94th percentile. It took a lot of concentrated topic wise breakdowns and strategic time management.
Verbal: The Slow and Steady Climb to V83Verbal was my Everest - intimidating and seemingly unconquerable at first. But I approached it one step at a time.
In Critical Reasoning, identifying conclusions was key to make way and apply the logic to questions. The issues in RC were largely focus based. The
error log was key to identify patterns and mistakes.
The Last Mile PushEnter the Last Mile Push program and my mentor, Abha. This was the turbo boost I needed in the final stretch. Abha helped me see the forest for the trees. We broke down my study plan into bite-sized milestones (12 milestones to the precise), each one a little victory on the way to my goal.
As part of the LMP, I was given a plan that had clear details about the order of improvement, the steps that need to be done, and validation thresholds on what I must deliver to get closer to my targets such as I had to meet 80%+ accuracy in Medium and 70% accuracy in Hard questions.
There were times I felt like throwing in the towel. I remember one particularly brutal mock test that had me questioning everything. But Abha was there, helping me dissect what went wrong and how to fix it. It wasn't just about the GMAT anymore; it was about proving to myself that I could overcome any obstacle with the right mindset and strategy.
After carefully analyzing the Mocks, we could identify that more than the ability for me it was the mindset that was becoming a roadblock to getting to my target score. This wasn’t easy to get over, we planned a good number of sectional tests and Mocks to help me get acclimatized to the test setup which eventually started reflecting the later Mocks where I scored 675, 695, and 700+!
The Final CountdownAs test day approached, I felt like I was preparing for the biggest fight of my life. I had my routine down pat: Quant, DI, then Verbal. I'd practiced this sequence so many times it felt as natural as breathing.
The night before the test, instead of learning something new at the last minute, I focused on recollecting whatever I knew and wanted to face the GMAT with a clear mind and a positive attitude.
Test Day: The Ultimate ChallengeTest day arrived, and with it, an unexpected curveball. The very first quant question had me stumped for a good 6 minutes. For a moment, panic set in. But then I remembered all my training. I made the tough call to move on, promising myself I'd come back if time allowed.
What happened next was almost surreal. I breezed through the rest of the quant section, finishing with 12 minutes to spare. I went back, solved that first question, and even caught another mistake. That decision to manage my time effectively was probably what clinched my perfect Q90.
The rest of the test felt like I was in the zone. When I saw that final score - 705 - it felt like every late night, every practice question, every moment of doubt had been worth it.
Looking Back: Lessons LearnedThis journey taught me more than just GMAT skills. It taught me about persistence, strategic thinking, and the power of believing in oneself. Here's what I'd tell anyone starting their GMAT journey:
1. Be brutally honest with yourself about your weaknesses. You can't fix what you don't acknowledge.
2. Don't let mock scores define you. They're feedback, not final verdicts.
3. Find a study method that works for you. For me, it was structured programs and targeted practice.
4. On test day, trust your preparation and stay flexible. One tough question doesn't define your whole performance.
To wrap up, this journey was tough but incredibly rewarding. If you're in the middle of GMAT prep and feeling overwhelmed, I hope my journey can help you. If I could go from 595 to 705, you too can achieve your GMAT goals. GMAT Club was instrumental for my journey and kudos to the amazing moderators and experts. I would love to give back to the community in any way I can!
I am rooting for each one of you. Now go out there and conquer that GMAT!
Best of luck,
Mohit