Ok so I just got back from the testing center a little while ago, my test was at 6:30 PM since there weren’t any other slots.
I feel great about the 720 and it was definitely at the top of my GMAT prep range but I still wish I had a “knock your socks off” score to help with my low GPA, but I’ll take it.
So I prepped for about 3 months. I started raw with the Veritas Prep online class. It helped get the gears going and I had a great teacher (David Newland.) The class lasted 7 weeks and half way through I felt I wasn’t really all there so I bought the
MGMAT books as well. The overlap was key for me. I started the
MGMAT guides as if I knew nothing and then supplemented with tid bits from the Veritas books.
Of course with all this I used the
OG 12 and both supplementary guides.
Some test scores:
MGMAT 1: 590 (no prep)
After this I thought I was screwed, especially after reading all the great scores on gmatclub. It seemed the big boys all started with great scores on their first few tests.
MGMAT 2: 640 (after one month prep)
This was better but still not very motivating for me.
GMAT Prep 1:640
Retake: 660
GMAT prep2: 700
Retake 730
With the above info I concluded that my range on test day would be 680-720.
Luckily I performed at the top of my ability.
For the essays I just read a couple the day before and wrote them on my practice tests. That said, I don’t know how I did.
Tips.
The number one thing is live and breath GMAT, I don’t post a lot but I was a lurker and read all of the debriefs and stories.
Keep you eyes on the prize. When I first started I kept the NYU admissions book next to me. I have since eliminated NYU from my list but the idea of reaching their average GMAT and beating other people kept me motivated.
Keep track of pacing; know where the timer should be when on a certain question.
When I studied I went hard for 3+ hours if time permitted, this helped me stay alert the whole test, I was there 100% at the end.
While the
MGMAT books are great they do lack some things, if you find yourself blowing a few question types look for supplemental info on gmat club. (I used some of Bunuel’s factor equations on the real GMAT)
TEST DAY:
I have to say that the test felt odd, I honestly didn’t think the questions fit any patterns from the
OG. The quant disguised things very well. The verbal was convoluted and there were several question stems that I had never seen in the
OG guides. It scared me but I was sure of enough questions to keep my confidence up.
I always struggled with timing on my tests at home, maybe having to guess on the last 2 or 3 on each section on average. That did not happen this time, if I didn’t know something I just skipped it. I did that about 3 times on quant and once for verbal. I ended up well ahead of pace on the today and took my time for the last few questions of each section.
One of the biggest takeaways for me personally is that the high scores you see on this website are awesome but they are a small sample and skewed. If anyone is going do well on a test it’s going to be someone who reaches out and becomes a part of this sort of a community. Those 750/760 scores were discouraging as I got my 6XXs on GMAT prep tests but they are bloated.
I’m am by no means a nerd and have never done great on tests; I am a firm believer that anyone can do well on this test with enough hours of practice. At the higher levels it’s about doing hard questions fast.
I will be happy to answer any and all questions. I feel I owe all you guys for helping me in many ways. I stayed motivated and kept my eyes on the prize by visiting Gmatclub several times a day.
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18 Aug 2010, 20:52
