My GMAT Journey to 750 Score

Hi Folks,

10 days after my GMAT online results (750) I have decided to share my GMAT experience. I will try to keep it short yet meaningful. I will be stating facts and mentioning what worked for me while avoiding giving tips and suggestions since I sincerely believe that while there may a great degree of overlap between successful strategies one has to have their own approach to GMAT.

Initial thoughts of preparing for GMAT came into my mind in early 2016 but since then I could never really commit myself to dedicated preparation.5 months back I finally decided to get serious about preparation and it all started in mid-April when I firmed up my decision to write GMAT in Sep'20.


GMAT Preparation Time

~ 5 Months (April-August)

Preparation Guide

I extensively used GMATCLUB during my preparation.I owe my success to the numerous experts out here.Special thanks to bb , Bunuel GMATNinja mikemcgarry VeritasKarishma carcass generis souvik101990 and countless others who made the learning so much easier. I solved more than 6000 questions on GMATCLUB and that really gave me the depth of knowledge needed to ace difficult questions.


What worked for me? (Study material)

Quant- GMATCLUB Maths books, Questions from Manhattan, Solutions of tricky questions posted by Bunuel and @Chetan2U,Error Log

Verbal- Manhattan SC Guide, OG et al for SC; LSAT Questions for CR practice; For RC practice, practice and more practice, Error Log


What worked for me? (Preparation and Learning)

Quant- I am mighty good at it so I avoided getting overconfident because on exam day even a simple question might humble you.

Verbal- Below average skills to begin with so I kept working on strengthening my ability day after day. I knew that staying positive is essential to GMAT success.


GMAT Mocks


I gave 3 unofficial mocks (All in August) and 6 GMAT prep Mocks (All in August). Interval between successive mocks was between 2-3 days

Unofficial Mocks

Veritas 720
Experts Global 690
E-GMAT 710

GMAT Prep 1- 760
GMAT Prep 2- 740
GMAT Prep 3- 760
GMAT Prep 4- 740
GMAT Prep 5- 760
GMAT Prep 4- 760

My quant score in 4/6 official mocks was 51. Verbal Score ranged between 39-44.


1st GMAT Attempt (test centre) - 3rd Sep'20

690 (Q50 V34 IR 6)

Tears in my eyes, cancelled the score immediately after it flashed on the screen.It came as a rude shock. It took me a day to convince myself that maybe it was just a bad day. Ordered ESR immediately and found out that verbal section was a riot. CR had let me down. No clues there.

Worked on CR questions and SC questions for a week thereafter and decided to take the online version on 13th Sep'20.


2nd GMAT Attempt (@ Online) - 13th Sep'20

Results was out on 16th Sep'20

750 (Q51 V40 IR 8)

With above score and my academic and work profile, I feel confident about qualifying for Top Indian B Schools. I owe this forum a lot.

Thank you GMATCLUB !