Schawjibb's GMAT Journey [ In pursuit of GMAT score 700+ ]

From the night of April 23, 2011, I finally started taking preparation for GMAT. What I have decided to do first is to get the overview of GMAT using 2 books - Kaplan Premier 2011 (primary) and The Princeton Review's Cracking the GMAT (secondary).

Having started reading Kaplan Premier 2011, I found out several weaknesses that were in stealth until I went thoroughly inside them. They are listed below -

• Comparing positive fractions: Sometimes I become puzzled with these.

• Permutation, combination, and probability: Perhaps, my biggest weakness in quant basics.

• Advanced part of inequality.

• Geometry terminologies: Sometimes, took long-time to be recalled.

• Data sufficiency: The first-hand experience with DS was just horrible. Oh my!

I also came up with some observations during my study/practice.

• Not concentrating or analyzing the answer choices; reading only the questions and then diving into solving the problem. (BAD)

• Sometimes, not reading the simple questions with care, and, as a result, making silly mistakes. (BAD)

• Making silly mistakes in calculations. (BAD)

• Reading the tiny questions second time (as, tiny=tricky) was really helpful as they help find out new info. (GOOD)

• Forgetting some important formulas, (such as, formulas of arithmatic and geometric progression, permutation, combination etc.) which could help solve some problems faster. (BAD)

• Running out of time. (BAD)

• Considering both the statements of DS simultaneously. (BAD)

In last few days, I read 220 pages from Kaplan Premier 2011. In this time, I completed 3 important chapters - Quant Section Straegies And Practice, Math Skills Refresher, and Problem Solving. On an average, I studied 4 hours a day (highest on Friday and lowest on Saturday). I was maintaining the ERROR LOG whenever I am practicing exercises. I would share the ERROR LOG and ANALYSIS of the exercises of Kaplan Premier 2011 once I would complete the book by May 12, 2011.

The real outcome from last 6 days was: TO KEEP AND HOLD WHAT YOU HAVE STUDIED, PRACTICE IS A MUST!



[April 24th - 29th, 2011]

I was completely bogged down by Data Sufficiency question-type. OMG! I was washed away........... The frustration arose from it kept me away from studying. Instead of studying 4 hours a day, I just managed (not being motivated) to study 1 hour a day, at the most.

After a couple of days, I went through the basics of DS once again. AND, REVISION OF DS BASICS REALLY HELPED. I then got back my spirit. I have to win the battle with DS as well as with GMAT. Later on I discovered a really helpful process to crack the DS questions easily (at least, I could improve my correct to wring answer ratio from 1:4 to 3:2 by following this, and maybe this was discovered by many in the prehistoric days!). Here goes the break-down of the process:

• Read the question stem first (do any simplification, if possible).

• Reflect for 4/5 seconds.

• Read the shorter/easier statement and then read the question stem again.

• Analyze and eliminate answers side-by-side keeping the probable answers alive.

• Read the other statement and then read the question stem yet again.

• Analyze and eliminate answers/pick the correct answer.

The time when I didn't study was not actually gone in vein. I downloaded a whole lot of YouTube videos (of course, related to GMAT) that were uploaded by trustworthy channels/uploaders.

Overall, though the week started with a huge load of frustration, the week ended with few turn-around outcomes. Completed the DS chapter of Kaplan Premier 2011.

All I can say until now is "MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP. AND, MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP."


[April 30th - May 6th, 2011]

After completing the quantitative section, I started verbal. Though I am not that "expert" in quantitative in the "GMAT way", I fear verbal section of GMAT quite more than quantitative. My maiden GMAT CAT score had already justified this: Q40 and V19. Yet, in pursuit of 700+ in GMAT, I knew I have to give a full-load try to challenge this fear.

With this in mind, early morning on May 7th, 2011 I began to walk my way down to win GMAT verbal fear. I was still using Kaplan Premier 2011 as the sole guide. My observations and findings were -

• Having some troubles in Sentence Correction. But, it wasn't supposed to be and IT SHOULDN'T BE. SC part tests only around a dozen of common concepts. Need to go thoroughly a grammar book (skim reading). Doing Grammar is a good option. (IMPARTIAL)

• Answering each SC question in around 90 seconds. Practice more to make it below 60. (GOOD)

• Timing became a very challenging issue as long as the Critical Reasoning was concerned. 80% answers were correct but average time per question was 2.5 minutes! (BAD)

• Eliminating was prevailing over predicting in CR. As eliminating required reading all the options, more time was being consumed. (BAD)

• Reading from answer option E to A for CR: need to see if by any chance it reduces the time used. (FOLLOW UP)

• Reading all CR answer explanations would be a good help. (IMPARTIAL)

• Whenever speeding up the pace, score/number of correct answers deteriorated. (FOLLOW UP)

Till now, I am happy that the problems are being found out. However, FINDING OUT PROBLEMS IS NOT THE END; IT'S JUST A MEANS TO END.


[May 7th - 8th, 2011]

Keep it going Schawjibb ! Practice is the key..

+1 for your constant inspiration.

Hi Schawjibb,

Keep up the good work. I'm from bangladesh and an aspirant. I have started studying for MBA for about 20 days now and still SC is not making much sense. I'll be following your progress and i pray that you break the barrier

Yes shwajib! Keep at it. We will do this together haha. I hav started a diary too. I set up a blog and try to update the thread on gmatclub daily!

Posted from GMAT ToolKit

Dear kingme and Mahtab, 1 kudo to you for inspiring me. More news to come by this weekend.

+1 and +1

Hi Schawjibb,

How're you doing these days? I hope great. I recently appeared in GMAT and scored 690. I'm pondering a retake, though not totally sure. Keep up your good work.

TC

-Rupok

Dhaka bhaifriends --- Do you know if our one and only testing center has improved at all? Half the building seemed to be under construction last year.

This one appears to be conquered by buddies from Bangladesh. Nice to meet people from all around the globe here.

Hi FatRiverPuff,

I appeared in GMAT last week and the center seemed fine to me. Just make sure you visit the center prior to test day.

Thank you.

Hi Rupok Bhai,

I had been long lost from my own thread for last 40 days. I am sorry as I could respond to your message earlier.

A big congo! Really happy that you have cut a decent + respectable score in GMAT.

So you are up to your application package now, hmmm?

I am doing fine. My prep is going so-so. You might like to have a glimpse on the present condition of my prep here <https://gmatclub.com/forum/stuck-at-640-650-range-need-to-break-700-any-strategies-131041.html#p1076340>

On retaking, I think you are already in a surefire zone for a top-20 b-school. However, if you want some $$$ from the schools, you might give another try to beat the GMAT.

Thanks again!

Just being curious: are you from Bangladesh, FatRiverPuff? Your INSEAD part didn't miss my attention!

Hello bhaiyas !!! Nice to see that actually there were some active members' from BD too
I am currently preparing for GMAT. I wonder how did Schawjibb vaiya do in his exam! Is there any tips for me?? Thanks