My Journey to a 700 Input APPRECIATED
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09 Dec 2010, 07:26
So it all began in July of last year from a long study abroad trip to Australia and New Zealand. I realized my interest in pursuing an MBA and began my studying journey. Day after day hour after hour I probably put in about 2 hours a day preparing for the GMAT I had scheduled in early October. The resources I used were GMAT 12th edition, Manhattan Sentence Correction, Kaplan GMAT 800 (I was totally lost), and the GMAT Math and Verbal books. After going through those non-stop and taking numerous practice tests I got my practice GMAT up to a 600 which was up from what I began with which was a 530.... I know neither are impressive whatsoever. I was only looking for a 600 because the school I was trying to get into required a 600 for me to get scholarships. So a few more weeks of studying went by and I took the test.
WOW let me tell you what, I have never been so drained and felt so stupid in my life. All my practice and preparation and I get to the test and realize I have no idea what I am doing. I wait for my results on the screen and get an astounding 550 .... my thoughts....( wow I suck and what the hell was I thinking?) I went to my car and sat there thinking about all of the things I did wrong and how I was just not physically and mentally prepared for that test. I decided it was extremely important for me to conquer this test as it is all familiarity and patterns although clearly I had not figured them out yet.... But in order to solve a problem you must first find what you did wrong and here they are: 1. I should have never broken up all of my practice tests into different sessions because it left me totally unprepared mentally when it came to the full 3 and a half hours of the test. 2. MY BIGGEST PROBLEM/ I realized was I was just going through doing a lot of problems and practice tests but never truly analyzing why I got them wrong and what patterns there were.3. I was only shooting for a 600 which isn't very impressive to begin with so when I came on a problem I didn't get I would just be like "oh well, thats tough, hopefully I won't get it on the test"
So now I am back!! After a few months and actually being accepted into the school I want even with my pathetic GMAT score I am back and looking to conquer this test. However, this time I am not going for a 600 I am going for a 700 and putting no timeline on when I must take the test by. My goal is to take it by March or so but I will not take it then if I am not prepared. I have decided to begin analyzing and disecting the test figuring out how and why I got each question wrong that putting on the side and practicing and practicing. I want to be able to completely understand this test and the questions and issues I have. Also this time I believe I am going to be enrolling in a class not sure which one to do yet I've been mostly thinking Kaplan but not sure input would be appreciated. Looking in the $600-$1000 range. Also what do you all think do you have pointers or suggestions on how I should get to my goal? Is there another study guide I should purchase or what? Also great techniques that may have helped you? I AM DETERMINED to do what it takes to get this grade and will not take the test before I am ready so please share your knowledge and help me reach my goal!!