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11 Jan 2014, 10:07
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So, I'm a little on the older end to be going back to business school (32). I started getting my act together to take the gmat last summer. I bought every single book by every test prep company and signed up for Kaplan's online class, MGMAT and Newton and bought every material that GMAC has ever published. I furiously studied every free second I had over the summer, I spent my entire European Vacation sitting in cafes pouring over the material and making notes cards, lists, lists of lists, etc. I drove everyone around me crazy. Two weeks before I was scheduled to take the test, I had taken all 10 Kaplan CAT's, all the MGMAT Cats, the GMAC practice tests, and the Newton tests. The first practice test I took with no studying I got a 540. The last practice test I took (and on a side note the last practice CAT you should take is one of the GMAC's that you haven't seen) I got a 770.
I was convinced I had the ability to get an 800. I thought I did well on the Math but when I was taking my break and smoking a cigarette, I realized I'd made some mistakes and based on (lack of) difficulty of the last question, I knew I didn't crush it. I stewed on it and when I sat down for the verbal section I couldn't refocus and when I was finished, I knew I bombed it, 47 quant/32 verbal (and I'm an english major), 640, and a 4 on integrated reasoning just to rub salt in the wound. I was devastated and questioned my decision. I wondered if I should just start a band or maybe I was just not as smart as I thought I was. So if you are still reading this - you're asking, ok what's the point?
I put all my books away didn't look at anything for a month, and finally felt no longer overwhelmed by the thought of taking the GMAT again. I signed up, read a couple SC questions the night before and took the test. I know that for the most part this is a relatively unimpressive score for a lot of the folks on this website but I scored 49 quant/35 verbal = 700. And with my work experience I should get into a good business school. I don't think my experience is necessarily ubiquitous but I realized that you can over study and if you f up the first time, you can re take it, I didn't think that was really something that schools looked kindly upon but at the end of the day, from the folks I've talked to, you can retake it without (much) prejudice. I wish I went into the first test with that attitude. Ultimately, my point is, don't give up, study hard but take it in stride, it's just a test.
I was convinced I had the ability to get an 800. I thought I did well on the Math but when I was taking my break and smoking a cigarette, I realized I'd made some mistakes and based on (lack of) difficulty of the last question, I knew I didn't crush it. I stewed on it and when I sat down for the verbal section I couldn't refocus and when I was finished, I knew I bombed it, 47 quant/32 verbal (and I'm an english major), 640, and a 4 on integrated reasoning just to rub salt in the wound. I was devastated and questioned my decision. I wondered if I should just start a band or maybe I was just not as smart as I thought I was. So if you are still reading this - you're asking, ok what's the point?
I put all my books away didn't look at anything for a month, and finally felt no longer overwhelmed by the thought of taking the GMAT again. I signed up, read a couple SC questions the night before and took the test. I know that for the most part this is a relatively unimpressive score for a lot of the folks on this website but I scored 49 quant/35 verbal = 700. And with my work experience I should get into a good business school. I don't think my experience is necessarily ubiquitous but I realized that you can over study and if you f up the first time, you can re take it, I didn't think that was really something that schools looked kindly upon but at the end of the day, from the folks I've talked to, you can retake it without (much) prejudice. I wish I went into the first test with that attitude. Ultimately, my point is, don't give up, study hard but take it in stride, it's just a test.
17 Jan 2014, 14:33
Kudos
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Great story! Congrats on the impressive score. I liked your comment about over-studying. Overstudying can be a big problem that's detrimental to so many of the "type A" GMAT test takers. I enjoyed your advice about just relaxing between tests and not spending too much time over-reviewing. Kudos to you!
28 Apr 2014, 04:44
Kudos
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Glad to hear this. I have not been able to book in my GMAT test for another 8 weeks. I just scored a 690 and I feel I have a 700+ in me and I am chomping at the bit now to do it.
Was a bit worried that the extended study period, and my 2 week holiday in Japan between now and then might seriously hamper my score. Taking that time off seemed to work really well for you.
Was a bit worried that the extended study period, and my 2 week holiday in Japan between now and then might seriously hamper my score. Taking that time off seemed to work really well for you.
