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02 Sep 2014, 09:50
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hey everyone,
I just took the GMAT on Wednesday August 27th and scored a 700 (Q48, V38, IR7). Here is what I did and how I may be an exception to most cases in terms of how I studied.
First practice test (GMAT Website Diagnostic- 580 Q41 V29
June 25th - July 31st - Put together study guide for GMAT using the 8 Manhattan GMAT books and did all of the chapter questions along the way.
Second practice test (Manhattan GMAT free test) - 610 Q44 V31 - August 2nd
- I felt much more comfortable with the verbal section, but didn't finish the last 3 or 4 questions. I was more uncomfortable with the quant section relatively speaking.
- I reviewed the test to find out where I was missing questions. Quant - Combinatorics, Geometry, and Rate/Work Qs. Verbal - Sentence Correction for the most part with RC and CR being better.
I did the first 25 official guide questions from every section and then jumped to 25 questions in the middle of every section and then jumped to the last 25 questions at the end of every section. I also did extra questions on the sections I struggled. I reviewed them carefully and did them again after 5 or 10 minutes to make sure I understood every step.
Third practice test (Manhattan GMAT Test #2) - 660 Q46 V34 - August 15th
- At this point, I was much more comfortable with data sufficiency than I had ever been. Still struggling a lot with geometry.
- RC and CR were feeling better and better, but SC was still killing me. I should have used the Aristotle SC companion more than I did.
- Reviewed the test and re did the missed Qs after a 10 or 15 minute break just to make sure I was soaking everything in.
Fourth practice test (Manhattan GMAT Test #5) - 630 Q42 V34 - August 23rd
- I flipped out and was depressed. Went out that night with the girlfriend and was definitely down in the dumps. Thought I would be closer to the 670 or 680 range at least.
- Reviewed the questions. Surprise, surprise. Geometry questions were littered throughout the test and I missed every single 700-800 level geometry question. I had to go through these bad boys again and again to make sure I had it down.
- Sentence correction was still tough, but CR was a problem during this test as well. I went back and broke these problems down. Sentence correction, I essentially gave up on. Reading comprehension, I made sure that I understood the argument and what the purpose of every sentence meant. It almost felt like I broke down each sentence into a variable in an equation based off of the premise + assumption = conclusion model. I also made sure I did a better job of eliminating choices especially in the strengthening and weakening questions.
After this test, I thought my chances of scoring a 700+ were non existent. I also thought I would score in the low 600s so essentially went into the test with an indifferent attitude. I didn't study Tuesday, but I did grab drinks with friends. I even considered rescheduling the test but felt like I needed to man up and just take it.
Wednesday August 27th - Test Day
- Took off work
- Woke up a tad hungover
- Went to the gym for a much needed lift and run
- Had a nice and light breakfast
- Showered and wore something comfortable
- Grabbed a coffee and took the test
- Took the test and didn't stress out. Pretty much the opposite actually and just wanted to get it done and leave for labor day weekend.
- Went with my gut a lot especially for SC questions. Used my ear (born and raised in US) more than anything else.
- Tried to go through the test quickly since I wasn't finishing on the previous tests. I actually had to guess on the last 2 or 3 verbal questions.....
- Saw my score, rejoiced, and realized I didn't waste the second half of what was a beautiful summer in NYC.
Conclusion - There isn't much to take away from this. I think I was stressing too much especially with work and other obligations I had at the time. Relax the day of the test and find something to better your mood such as basketball, lifting weights, playing your guitar, etc. DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU WILL DO POORLY EVEN IF THE PRACTICE TESTS DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.
I just took the GMAT on Wednesday August 27th and scored a 700 (Q48, V38, IR7). Here is what I did and how I may be an exception to most cases in terms of how I studied.
First practice test (GMAT Website Diagnostic- 580 Q41 V29
June 25th - July 31st - Put together study guide for GMAT using the 8 Manhattan GMAT books and did all of the chapter questions along the way.
Second practice test (Manhattan GMAT free test) - 610 Q44 V31 - August 2nd
- I felt much more comfortable with the verbal section, but didn't finish the last 3 or 4 questions. I was more uncomfortable with the quant section relatively speaking.
- I reviewed the test to find out where I was missing questions. Quant - Combinatorics, Geometry, and Rate/Work Qs. Verbal - Sentence Correction for the most part with RC and CR being better.
I did the first 25 official guide questions from every section and then jumped to 25 questions in the middle of every section and then jumped to the last 25 questions at the end of every section. I also did extra questions on the sections I struggled. I reviewed them carefully and did them again after 5 or 10 minutes to make sure I understood every step.
Third practice test (Manhattan GMAT Test #2) - 660 Q46 V34 - August 15th
- At this point, I was much more comfortable with data sufficiency than I had ever been. Still struggling a lot with geometry.
- RC and CR were feeling better and better, but SC was still killing me. I should have used the Aristotle SC companion more than I did.
- Reviewed the test and re did the missed Qs after a 10 or 15 minute break just to make sure I was soaking everything in.
Fourth practice test (Manhattan GMAT Test #5) - 630 Q42 V34 - August 23rd
- I flipped out and was depressed. Went out that night with the girlfriend and was definitely down in the dumps. Thought I would be closer to the 670 or 680 range at least.
- Reviewed the questions. Surprise, surprise. Geometry questions were littered throughout the test and I missed every single 700-800 level geometry question. I had to go through these bad boys again and again to make sure I had it down.
- Sentence correction was still tough, but CR was a problem during this test as well. I went back and broke these problems down. Sentence correction, I essentially gave up on. Reading comprehension, I made sure that I understood the argument and what the purpose of every sentence meant. It almost felt like I broke down each sentence into a variable in an equation based off of the premise + assumption = conclusion model. I also made sure I did a better job of eliminating choices especially in the strengthening and weakening questions.
After this test, I thought my chances of scoring a 700+ were non existent. I also thought I would score in the low 600s so essentially went into the test with an indifferent attitude. I didn't study Tuesday, but I did grab drinks with friends. I even considered rescheduling the test but felt like I needed to man up and just take it.
Wednesday August 27th - Test Day
- Took off work
- Woke up a tad hungover
- Went to the gym for a much needed lift and run
- Had a nice and light breakfast
- Showered and wore something comfortable
- Grabbed a coffee and took the test
- Took the test and didn't stress out. Pretty much the opposite actually and just wanted to get it done and leave for labor day weekend.
- Went with my gut a lot especially for SC questions. Used my ear (born and raised in US) more than anything else.
- Tried to go through the test quickly since I wasn't finishing on the previous tests. I actually had to guess on the last 2 or 3 verbal questions.....
- Saw my score, rejoiced, and realized I didn't waste the second half of what was a beautiful summer in NYC.
Conclusion - There isn't much to take away from this. I think I was stressing too much especially with work and other obligations I had at the time. Relax the day of the test and find something to better your mood such as basketball, lifting weights, playing your guitar, etc. DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOU WILL DO POORLY EVEN IF THE PRACTICE TESTS DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.
26 Sep 2014, 00:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
if this for real you are one chill dude....i think what worked for you was you were not stressed. You had mental clarity during the test.
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