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Congratulations, srikanth ! An excellent feat, thanks for sharing a thorough insight into your prep, good luck for your b school apps!
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Congrats & all the best going ahead
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Hello GMAT Club members,

I'm happy to share that I recently scored a 685 on the GMAT with Q90 and D81. The score could have been better (more about it later), but I am happy with this score too since I am able to apply to the MIT with this score.

The journey has been a long one. I have read posts where people say, they scored 800 in 2-3 weeks. But I was not one of them! For me, it was a long marathon and a slow but steady progress.

Initial Challenges

My biggest challenge was time management. Working full-time meant I had to be extremely efficient with my study hours. I needed a structured approach that would help me utilize my limited time effectively.

This is where my search for the right GMAT course led me to e-GMAT. What attracted me was their data-driven approach and the promise of a structured study plan that would take the guesswork out of my preparation.

The course did the planning for me - I just had to show up every day and focus on learning. This was a mental relief, especially after an exhausting day of work, as I didn't have to spend time deciding what to study.

The course's approach of breaking down complex topics into manageable chunks, combined with targeted practice through cementing quizzes and Scholaranium, helped me build the ability needed to reach the score.

Quant Journey to Q90

This is the part of my journey I'm most proud of. Despite having a strong quantitative background and consistently scoring well in practice tests, I made a conscious decision to complete the entire e-GMAT Quant course. Why? Because I knew, I could reach the perfect quant score. For this, I realized that one needs absolute mastery - there's no room for even small gaps in understanding.

The course revealed aspects I hadn't considered. Even in topics where I was strong, I discovered more efficient approaches and time-saving techniques. It wasn't just about knowing how to solve problems; it was about finding the optimal way to solve them under time pressure.

A game-changer in my quant preparation was e-GMAT's PACE feature. Through diagnostic quizzes, it created a customized study plan that helped me save an incredible 56 hours of study time. For instance, in Algebra alone, I saved 14 +hours while maintaining high accuracy:



The system identified areas where I could skip detailed lessons while highlighting topics that needed more attention. This intelligent approach to study planning meant every hour I spent studying was highly productive.

This along with the cementing quizzes in the Scholaranium really helped me build my accuracy across the questions:



Data Insights Transformation

My DI journey was particularly challenging. Initially, I struggled with time management, often leaving 4-5 questions unanswered in practice tests. Through e-GMAT's structured approach, I improved by 6 points in this section.

The course's methodology helped me develop a systematic process for tackling each question type. The cementing process was crucial - I solved around 850 practice questions (350 through course files and 472 through additional practice on the Scholaranium):



What made the difference wasn't just the volume of practice but the quality of questions and the detailed analytics that helped me understand my solving patterns.

I learned to approach MSR questions strategically, developing a method to quickly extract relevant information without getting lost in the details. The course's emphasis on process skills rather than just content knowledge was key to my improvement.

Last Mile Push Impact

The Last Mile Push program was transformative in my preparation. My mentor, Rashmi, analyzed my practice patterns and created a personalized strategy focusing on specific areas needing improvement. We had regular check-ins where we discussed not just my scores but the underlying patterns in my approach.

What made LMP particularly effective was how it combined detailed performance analytics with expert guidance. For instance, when my mock scores fluctuated, Rashmi helped me understand that it wasn't just about the final scores but about identifying and fixing specific process gaps. This targeted approach in the final weeks of my preparation was crucial in refining my test-taking strategy.

Test Day Experience

I want to note upfront that my verbal score and consequently my overall score would have been higher if not for an unexpected technical issue during the test.

I took the test online and during the verbal section, the proctor disconnected, leading to a 1.5-hour delay. The test resumed from where it was paused, but this interruption severely impacted my verbal performance, especially since it happened right after I had read a long passage.

I was annoyed, but then I took a deep breath and told myself, I am not going to let this derail my entire test, and channelled my adrenaline into the quant section.

Expect the unexpected – and when it happens, be ready to move on! This is something that I want to tell anyone that might be reading this. Remember, the battle is not lost till the last question.

From my journey, here's what I'd share with fellow GMAT aspirants:

  • Don't skip topics, even in your strong areas. I was already good at Quant, but going through the entire curriculum revealed better approaches and shortcuts I wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
  • Make smart use of the tools available to you. PACE saved me 56 precious hours while ensuring I wasn't compromising on quality. Find ways to make your study time count - quality over quantity really matters.
  • The GMAT tests more than just knowledge - it tests your ability to handle pressure and unexpected situations. My test day experience taught me that keeping your cool when things go wrong is just as important as knowing the content.
  • Most importantly, don't fall for promises of quick success. I learned that the GMAT is truly a marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself enough time to prepare thoroughly and don't get discouraged by setbacks along the way.

To all future test-takers: Remember that the GMAT is a test of endurance and strategy as much as knowledge. Take the time to understand your strengths and weaknesses, and create a structured plan that works for your schedule.
Feel free to ask any questions. Good luck with your preparation!
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Congrats & all the best for applications
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Congratulations on an excellent score post a thoroughly organized preparation.

All the Best.
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Congratulations on the wonderful score!!
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Congrats Buddy , May I Know You ARe Applying For Mit sloan or scmr or anyother programme
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Hello GMAT Club Members!

I'm excited to share my journey of securing admission to INSEAD's prestigious MIM program and achieving a 645 on the GMAT with just one month of focused preparation. As a final year BBA student from Hyderabad juggling multiple commitments, I hope my experience can help others who might be preparing under time constraints.

Initial Planning
My journey began in January when I decided to pursue both CAT and GMAT for maximizing my opportunities. Initially, I planned a two-month dedicated GMAT preparation window, but life had other plans. A summer internship at ITC Ltd meant I could only start serious GMAT preparation in July, with deadlines looming in August.

GMAT Preparation Strategy
The biggest challenge that I faced in my GMAT plan was understanding the unique nature of the test and finding a way to master it in just one month. Unlike other competitive exams I'd encountered, GMAT required a completely different approach. After researching various options, I chose e-GMAT for their structured methodology.
What made e-GMAT stand out was their systematic approach to improvement. The learning process started with building fundamentals, then moved to application through cementing, and finally to test readiness. This structured pathway was exactly what I needed given my time constraints.

Building Strong Processes:
The learning phase focused on developing strong processes. For instance, in Verbal, we learned specific techniques like pre-thinking in Critical Reasoning and systematic passage analysis in Reading Comprehension. These weren't just theoretical concepts - each learning module was followed by targeted practice to ensure mastery.

Cementing the Foundation:
The cementing phase was crucial in solidifying these concepts. Rather than jumping directly to test-level questions, cementing helped me validate my understanding and identify specific improvement areas. I could practice in both relaxed and timed modes, gradually building speed without compromising accuracy.

Strategic Practice with Scholaranium:
Scholaranium's question bank played a vital role in my preparation. The questions were carefully curated based on difficulty levels, and the detailed analytics of Xpert AI helped me focus my efforts where they mattered most. The platform's ability to track my performance across different question types and difficulty levels ensured that I was making progress in the right direction.

Testing Readiness with Mocks:
Mock tests were the final piece of my preparation puzzle. While I found them challenging, they prepared me well for the actual exam. The detailed analysis after each mock helped me understand not just what I got wrong, but why, allowing me to make quick adjustments to my approach.

Test Day Experience
On test day, mindset played a crucial role. I approached the exam with confidence, knowing my preparation was solid despite the short timeline. The structured environment helped maintain focus throughout the test, and I stayed calm by trusting my preparation.

INSEAD Application Process
The INSEAD application process was unique and comprehensive. The written application focused on authenticity and genuine experiences. What set INSEAD apart was their innovative interview process - starting with AI interviews through Kira Talent (30-second video responses to random questions) followed by an alumni interview that felt more like a conversation than an interrogation.
Through the process, I learned that INSEAD values three key qualities: the ability to thrive under pressure, innovation and impact, and authenticity. I focused on demonstrating how I'd managed multiple commitments, created tangible impact in my activities, and maintained genuine alignment between my experiences and future goals.

Key Takeaways
Structure and systematic approach were crucial for my short-timeline preparation. However, what really made the difference was maintaining the right mindset throughout the process. For INSEAD specifically, I learned that authenticity trumps perfect scores, and demonstrating impact matters more than the scale of achievements.
For future applicants, my advice is to start building your profile early, but don't let time constraints deter you from applying. Focus on creating genuine impact in whatever you do, and let your authentic self shine through in your applications.
Feel free to ask any questions about the GMAT preparation or INSEAD application process. I'm happy to help!
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My GMAT journey began in Sept 2024 while working full-time. I started with a diagnostic mock that revealed significant timing issues - I could barely complete three sections in the allotted time. Managing prep alongside a demanding job wasn't easy, but I developed a routine of studying 2-3 hours on weekdays (usually after work) and dedicating 5-6 hours on Saturdays, On Sundays I used to keep up with my Normal life, meeting people to keep myself relaxed and to ensure that the process is natural and I don’t take any pressure.. After attempting self-study for a little more than a month, I realized I needed a more structured approach. What I lacked most was the ability to analyze my mistakes effectively. While you can practice endless questions, understanding where you're going wrong and identifying patterns in your errors is crucial for improvement.
After researching various prep options and taking trials for most of the courses out there, I was particularly drawn towards e-GMAT's data-driven approach. Their platform's ability to break down performance metrics at a sub-topic level was the primary factor for me.

Let me break down my journey at a sectional level:

Verbal Journey: V81
Coming from an engineering background, I initially found verbal more challenging than quant. My biggest revelation was understanding that verbal isn't about mastering English or being an avid reader - it's about understanding structure and logic.
For Reading comprehension, the reading strategies taught by e-GMAT helped me a lot in understanding the Author’s perspective. Instead of concentrating on the text itself, I focused on:
  • Why the author is writing it
  • The purpose of each passage
  • How different passages link together
This structural approach helped me improve my RC accuracy.


Quant: Q88
Given my background, I was starting at a higher ability in Quant. My mentor suggested leveraging this by focusing on cementing quizzes - these are quizzes on the e-GMAT platform that combine carefully selected medium and hard GMAT-like questions to identify knowledge gaps and assess sub-sectional ability.
This targeted approach helped me pinpoint my two major challenges: first, I was making "behavioural errors" from rushing through questions I deemed easy, and second, I had time management issues with specific topics like P&C and Time-Speed-Distance.
My strategy evolved to:
  • Going back to the course for topics where I was taking more time and bridging the gaps.
  • Focused practice on topics where I scored low initially to validate my improvement, e-GMAT custom quiz feature came in very handy here.
  • Maintaining a strict 2-minute per question rule

Below is the Time Matrix from the Exam, I didn't spend more than 3 minutes on any question in first go and completed the section in 32ish minutes, In the remaining time I reviewed every question except the first one which got incorrect.




Data Insights: DI83
What worked for me was breaking it down by question type. Data Sufficiency felt like a mix of quant and verbal - I had to be extra careful with questions that looked like regular DS but had verbal twists.
Table Analysis initially ate up too much time because I was using my calculator too often. Here's what I realized - if you're reaching for the calculator in DI, you're probably missing something. The questions are designed to test logic, not calculation skills.





MSR was my biggest challenge at first. I planned to skip these entirely until my mentor pointed out that this could seriously hurt my score. Once I started treating MSR like extended RC passages and practiced connecting information across different sources, things improved dramatically.


Two Attempts, Two Stories
My first attempt was a disaster (645)—I got food poisoning the night before and had a fever during the test. Still, I managed a decent score, which taught me something important—when you've prepared well, your instincts can carry you even when you're not at your best.
For my second attempt (685), I did things differently. I stayed relaxed in the days leading up to the test, hung out with friends, and didn't cram. On test day, I warmed up with a few medium-difficulty questions and followed my planned order: Quant → Verbal → DI. The key was treating each section independently - not letting performance in one section affect my mindset for the next.


What Really Matters
Looking back, here's what made the difference: consistency beats intensity. Don't cut yourself off from life during GMAT prep - it only adds pressure. I made sure to maintain my job performance and social life throughout my preparation. The exam tests your thinking process more than your knowledge, so stay calm and trust your preparation. I would also like to thank my mentor Abha and the entire e-GMAT team for being a strong support system that I could fall back on when things did not go as planned.




Most importantly, remember that the actual GMAT will seem easier than the questions you practice. If you're consistently solving hard questions in practice, you're on the right track.
All the best guys!!
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Congrats & all the best going ahead
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Congratulations on this wonderful score.
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Congrats for getting into INSEAD

Can you tell me which prep material you used for verbal & DI?
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Thank you! I used e-GMAT's material and course and sometimes GMAT Club for questions.
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Congrats for getting into INSEAD

Can you tell me which prep material you used for verbal & DI?
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Congratulations on your admission!!
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You did not have to write any application essays? Just 1 month of GMAT Prep?
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You did not have to write any application essays? Just 1 month of GMAT Prep?

Yes there were 4-5 questions of around 250-400 words. I had extended the e-GMAT’s course for one month as I couldn’t touch anything gmat related for the initial 2 months I had purchased for. So yes thankfully everything went well on the test day after that one month.
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Hello GMAT Club community!

I am happy to share my GMAT journey with you. I scored 685 (Q88, V83, D81) through dedicated effort spanning 4 months and by making some key strategic decisions at the right time!

Returning to academics after almost two decades was both an exciting and daunting journey for me. With aspirations of furthering my career, I identified the GMAT as the gateway to my dreams. I began my preparation in August 2024, determined to give it my best shot.

To ease back into an academic routine, I enrolled in a classroom-based coaching program. I chose a physical classroom format to establish a disciplined schedule. This definitely helped to get into the groove. With my engineering background, I found Quantitative Reasoning (QR) to be a strength, but Verbal Reasoning (VR) and Data Insights (DI) posed significant challenges. Initially, I believed that excelling in Quant could compensate for my weaker areas. However, this strategy fell apart when I had an off day in QR, and my composite scores dropped below my expectations. My usual scores were around V81 and D76, but even with a strong Q90, I was capped at 655. A bad day in Quant would drag my scores down further. It became clear that I needed a more balanced strategy - a strategy that had 3 legs to stand on :)

After researching options, I approached e-GMAT in the 2nd week of December and joined their Last Mile Push (LMP) program. Rashmi, my mentor, worked closely with me to recalibrate my preparation. The first step was postponing my GMAT date from January 3 to January 10 to allow for focused preparation. Rashmi then crafted a personalized four-week study plan, which I followed with full dedication.

On January 10, I scored 685 with Q88, V83, and D81—a significant improvement of at least 30 points in my composite score. My VR scaled scores improved by at least 2-3 points and DI scaled scores improved by at least 5 points. In terms of percentiles, this is a significant improvement from around mid-50s to mid-upper-80s in VR (84th) and DI (89th). This would not have been possible without e-GMAT’s structured approach, data-driven methodologies, Rashmi’s invaluable guidance and of course the effort that I had to put in. Here are the key ways the LMP program helped me:

Key Takeaways from e-GMAT’s LMP Program

1. Verbal Reasoning Coursework with a Process-Oriented Approach Critical Reasoning (CR) was my Achilles' heel. My initial approach relied heavily on intuition, leading to inconsistent scores and poor time management. e-GMAT’s VR coursework introduced me to a structured, process-driven methodology, especially the pre-thinking approach for CR questions. This framework allowed me to approach questions predictably and confidently. The "Cementing" stage ensured that the skills I learned were reinforced and retained. By the time I took my final GMAT, my VR scores had stabilized at V83, giving me much-needed confidence.

2. Data Insights: Improved Time Management and Pacing Time management was a recurring issue in DI, particularly with MSR (Multi-Source Reasoning) questions, which I found time-consuming. e-GMAT’s coursework helped me develop processes for tackling diverse question types, including Graphs and Tables. For example, I started consistently translating statements into equations for problems like Data Sufficiency and Two-Part Analysis. Practicing with e-GMAT’s database exposed me to various formats, building my confidence and enabling me to handle surprises during the test.

3. Strategy and Mindset The GMAT is as much about mindset and strategy as it is about knowledge. As an engineer, I was trained to approach every question methodically, but this often led to over-investing time in individual questions. Rashmi’s honest feedback helped me break this habit. I learned to pace myself, let go of questions if I got stuck, and treat each section afresh. Her persistence also helped me overcome my resistance to MSR questions. With her guidance, I shifted my perspective from viewing MSRs as obstacles to seeing them as opportunities to excel in DI. Also, be ready for surprises on test day, don't let it bother you. Eg.I had all DS questions in DI at the start. I was also mentally prepared to tackle 2 MSRs (though I got 1) and 4 RCs in VR (though I got 3).

Tips for GMAT Aspirants

  • All sections are important: Ensure your strategy focuses on all 3 sections!
  • Trust your preparation: Build and refine processes for each section methodically. Most importantly, own those processes and on test day, rely on them and avoid experimenting.
  • Consistency is key: Dedicate focused hours every day. Your efforts will pay off.
  • Challenge yourself: Practice tough questions to build confidence but avoid overwhelming yourself close to the test.
  • Stay calm under pressure: Don’t dwell on a single question. Pace yourself to reach the last question with enough time.
  • Prepare mentally: One day before the test, avoid taking mocks. Instead, review your processes, refine your strategy, and relax.
  • Expect surprises: Test day may bring unexpected challenges. Stay composed, trust your preparation, and don’t let one question or section affect the others.
  • Seek help when needed: The GMAT journey is tough. If you feel stuck or demotivated, talk to someone you trust or seek guidance from mentors. But finally you have to decide and move ahead.

Final Thoughts
The GMAT is not just a test of knowledge but also of perseverance and strategy. My journey was filled with highs and lows, but the structured guidance from e-GMAT and my commitment to improvement made all the difference. Stay focused, trust your preparation, and believe in yourself. You’ve got this!

Good luck!

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