Last visit was: 15 Dec 2024, 05:32 It is currently 15 Dec 2024, 05:32
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Reviews
Social
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
ustunburak
avatar
Joined: 29 Jan 2019
Last visit: 31 Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 512
Location: Turkey
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Posts: 6
Kudos: 1
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 23 Sep 2019, 06:39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi everyone,

I'd like to apply some of the top 20 schools MBA programs in US in R2.
I've been preparing for the GMAT for a year and I got the exam for 5 times. (690 highest)
However, like others', my aim is to get 730+ (bcz my gpa (3.1) is not competitive).

I am working as portfolio development & strategy manager at Philip Morris International (tobacco company) for more than 4 yrs in Istanbul, Turkey.
Now, I am considering 3-4 months unpaid leave to study GMAT and prepare my application.

I've read a lot of articles about sabbatical leave and quitting job for GMAT.
I've already been aware that quitting job for gmat is not a wise move but I couldn't find any detailed information about a 3-4 months unpaid leave.

Could you please share your precious thoughts and past experiences?
Thanks in advance.

Please let me know any more information is needed.
User avatar
MahmoudFawzy
User avatar
Joined: 27 Oct 2018
Last visit: 20 Feb 2021
Posts: 665
Own Kudos:
1,970
 []
Given Kudos: 200
Status:Manager
Location: Egypt
Concentration: Strategy, International Business
Schools: NTU '20 HKUST '21 Japan MBA
GPA: 3.67
WE:Pharmaceuticals (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: NTU '20 HKUST '21 Japan MBA
Posts: 665
Kudos: 1,970
 []
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 23 Sep 2019, 14:45
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi ustunburak
I would like to share with you some advice and tips, but I would likeif you can clarify some details first.

please provide some details about your scores (Quant/Verba) to know what you should improve,
the studying resources you went through so far,
and whether you are a no-course buddy or you went through some online courses.
User avatar
Hovkial
User avatar
Joined: 23 Apr 2019
Last visit: 24 Nov 2022
Posts: 805
Own Kudos:
2,089
 []
Given Kudos: 203
Status:PhD trained. Education research, management.
Posts: 805
Kudos: 2,089
 []
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 23 Sep 2019, 15:03
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ustunburak
Hi everyone,

Now, I am considering 3-4 months unpaid leave to study GMAT and prepare my application.

I've read a lot of articles about sabbatical leave and quitting job for GMAT.
I've already been aware that quitting job for gmat is not a wise move but I couldn't find any detailed information about a 3-4 months unpaid leave.


If you can turn your study leave into a great score, it would strengthen your application. A strong score is almost necessary for Top 20 MBA programs.
User avatar
CareerGeek
User avatar
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 15 Dec 2024
Posts: 1,297
Own Kudos:
3,787
 []
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,297
Kudos: 3,787
 []
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 24 Sep 2019, 09:51
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ustunburak
Hi everyone,

I'd like to apply some of the top 20 schools MBA programs in US in R2.
I've been preparing for the GMAT for a year and I got the exam for 5 times. (690 highest)
However, like others', my aim is to get 730+ (bcz my gpa (3.1) is not competitive).

I am working as portfolio development & strategy manager at Philip Morris International (tobacco company) for more than 4 yrs in Istanbul, Turkey.
Now, I am considering 3-4 months unpaid leave to study GMAT and prepare my application.

I've read a lot of articles about sabbatical leave and quitting job for GMAT.
I've already been aware that quitting job for gmat is not a wise move but I couldn't find any detailed information about a 3-4 months unpaid leave.

Could you please share your precious thoughts and past experiences?
Thanks in advance.

Please let me know any more information is needed.

Hi ustunburak,

How did you prepare for the GMAT before?
Also, share your score of the tests

Is your work schedule too hectic or erratic ?

Yes, sabbatical makes sense only if you have less than 2 hours/day to prepare for GMAT. Else, many test takers give it along with their jobs.
avatar
ustunburak
avatar
Joined: 29 Jan 2019
Last visit: 31 Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 512
Location: Turkey
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Posts: 6
Kudos: 1
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 25 Sep 2019, 04:45
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Mahmoudfawzy83

In my last GMAT, my quant was 49 (74%) and verbal was 34 (71%). Actually, I was shocked because normally in quant, I was having around q50-51.

Study Materials:
Official Guide (2010 to 2019 - all)
Manhattan GMAT
Kaplan Verbal
E-GMAT Verbal Online
E-GMAT Scholarinium
LSAT Critical Reason Questions
Official 6 Mock Exams
Manhattan 6 Mock Exams
Kaplan 4 Mock Exams
Veritas 6 Mock Exams

It would be great to hear your advices.
avatar
ustunburak
avatar
Joined: 29 Jan 2019
Last visit: 31 Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 512
Location: Turkey
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Posts: 6
Kudos: 1
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 25 Sep 2019, 04:47
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hovkial
I hope its going to be like that.
avatar
ustunburak
avatar
Joined: 29 Jan 2019
Last visit: 31 Aug 2020
Posts: 6
Own Kudos:
1
Given Kudos: 512
Location: Turkey
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Schools: Haas '22
GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31
Posts: 6
Kudos: 1
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 25 Sep 2019, 04:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Dillesh4096

my work schedule is erratic and hectic unfortunately.
I've been managed to study in somehow around a year but still couldn't reach my target score.
My scores are between 650 - 690 in five exam.

I do not want to risk to get scores in this range again in the future. That's why, I want to concentrate at least a month only to GMAT.
User avatar
CareerGeek
User avatar
Joined: 20 Jul 2017
Last visit: 15 Dec 2024
Posts: 1,297
Own Kudos:
3,787
Given Kudos: 162
Location: India
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Marketing
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
WE:Education (Education)
GMAT 1: 690 Q51 V30
Posts: 1,297
Kudos: 3,787
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 25 Sep 2019, 07:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ustunburak
Dillesh4096

my work schedule is erratic and hectic unfortunately.
I've been managed to study in somehow around a year but still couldn't reach my target score.
My scores are between 650 - 690 in five exam.

I do not want to risk to get scores in this range again in the future. That's why, I want to concentrate at least a month only to GMAT.

Then it makes sense to take sabbatical and just concentrate on the exam. 730 is pretty doable in this time period.

For quants, if you were scoring 50/51 in mocks, I would recommend to do timed practise (31 Questions in 62 minutes, select 16 PS & 15 DS) and make sure you get those initial questions correct (at least first 10) to hit the higher level questions.

All the best.

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
MahmoudFawzy
User avatar
Joined: 27 Oct 2018
Last visit: 20 Feb 2021
Posts: 665
Own Kudos:
1,970
Given Kudos: 200
Status:Manager
Location: Egypt
Concentration: Strategy, International Business
Schools: NTU '20 HKUST '21 Japan MBA
GPA: 3.67
WE:Pharmaceuticals (Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals)
Schools: NTU '20 HKUST '21 Japan MBA
Posts: 665
Kudos: 1,970
Unpaid Leave for GMAT 25 Sep 2019, 08:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ustunburak
What a great effort you have done so far. I am so impressed !!
I think you may really need to take a break from your job. Besides, I guess you may need a tutor (face to face).
3-4 months are more than enough to break the 730 score.

Also I wanted to say that 690 is not low. I advise you to consult an admission expert about your current situation, refine with you which schools you are targeting, taking into consideration the pool (race) you are representing and your experience.