I started studying in early June of this year (2015) and originally scheduled the test for early October. I found that I wasn't achieving the scores I thought I would be by the week before the test, so I rescheduled to November 2nd to get an extra month of studying. This was hard to do, mentally, because after months of studying, you want to get the test over with, but important to not waste your $250!
Also, if you reschedule, be sure to do it more than ONE WEEK prior to the test date for a $50 penalty, rather than a $250 penalty!
I used all
Manhattan Prep subject books, the GMAC Official test questions for Quant/Verbal and both,
Magoosh online videos and questions and GMATClub Forum questions! I also used the Pocket GMAT app and other apps when I was traveling/on the subway/etc.
Before I touched any of the books (6/13/15), I took a practice test through the GMAT Prep software and scored a 590. I hadn't been in school in 6 years or taken any math classes in 8 years, so I thought I had a lot to work with from here.
I then read through every single
Manhattan Prep book.
From there, I started going through
Magoosh quizzes - 5 questions at a time, timed in 2 minute intervals.
I took a test on 7/20/15 and scored 610 (Quant-43, Verbal-31). As an American, I didn't understand why Verbal was so hard. I was so focused on brushing up on old math formulas, that I had ignored the trickery of the verbal section.
From here, I tried to balance my studies.
I took a
Manhattan Prep practice test on 8/16/15 and scored a 640 (39 Quant, Verbal - 38). Ok, Verbal was better, but Quant was lower. I wondered if this was due to
Manhattan Prep's style of questions vs. GMAT Prep software (I found out later this was definitely true -
Manhattan Prep throws out much harder quant questions than verbal, and is much harder than the software in math).
On 9/27/15, about a week or two before my first scheduled GMAT, I scored 670 in the GMAT Prep Software (deleted and redownloaded the software to get a new test, since they only offer two free ones). Quant - 45, Verbal - 37. I also took the IR section (5) just to get used to the stamina involved in taking a longer test. So, quant seemed to be pretty good, but my goal was to surpass 700 and I needed to do better in the verbal section. I figured my general understanding of English was not enough, as an American, I needed to study complex grammar concepts that are not really used colloquially in every day life.
On 10/18/15 (test was now rescheduled for 11/2), I took a
Manhattan Prep test (I had purchased 6 for $50) and scored 660 (42 - Quant, 38 - Verbal). It seemed like my math/verbal scores would just flip flop and I would constantly get the same score. I was getting very discouraged.
I tried to watch
Magoosh videos about grammar, develop new techniques for RC and CR (taking shorthand notes, understanding concepts better before answering questions, finding the joy in boring passages) and just brush up on math secondarily.
10/26/15 - 660 (42- Quant, 39 - Verbal); GMAT Prep Software (I purchased two more of these tests for $50). Very upsetting, it seemed like this was the score I was destined to achieve on the real GMAT. My score was NOT budging.
10/29/15 - 660 - 44 Quant, 38 Verbal, 8 IR (at least that was a plus!). Annoyed, discouraged.
10/31/15 - 650 - Quant 43, Verbal 37, IR - 6. Ugh. I'm going to do so far below what I need on the real GMATs.
TEST DAY (11/2/15) - 710!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 47 - Quant, 41 - Verbal, 6 - Essay, 4 - IR (oops, hope IR isn't a big deal!)
Best score EVER on the actual test day. As my friend told me, I'm a "gamer". Getting out of my apartment and being in the testing environment with no distractions (my dog walking around, etc.), helped me focus and achieve my best score by far!
Tips:
(1)DO NOT TAKE THIS TEST IN NYC if you can avoid it. Less than halfway through my test, construction started going on right above my head (on the floor above me). I basically heard "bang bang bang bang" steadily for almost two hours ( of course during the verbal section, which could have ruined my concentration a bit). I wouldn't be surprised if I achieved a 760+ without this hurdle.
(2) Plan out your snacks the week before the test. I chose nuts and dried fruit, gatorade and strawberries. Delicious and good for the brain!
(3) Get to the test center VERY early, map out your route to the bathroom, etc. I came an hour early and they said they had room for me to start right away. Had I started on time (4pm start time), that construction noise I detailed above would have been going on through my ENTIRE test.
(4) Plan 6 minute breaks in between your sections, as opposed to 8 minutes. On test day, you must raise your hand and wait for a test center employee to walk you out of your seat for your break. I waited a full TWO minutes for someone to get me between math and verbal. He claimed I had 7.5 minutes after he scanned my palm (yes, this is part of the protocol every time you leave and come back - and emptying your pockets and rolling up your sleeves), but he was wrong. I returned to my seat less than 7 minutes later and a whole ONE MINUTE had run off from my verbal section. NOT cool.
About me, I have a Master's Degree in an unrelated field (Physiology) - 2009. Bachelor's - 2007. So, I had been out of school/studying for a long time before sitting down for the GMATs.
I'm applying to NYU Stern, Columbia and Yale. I'm a Brooklyn girl and plan to stay in NYC.
I will keep you posted; working on applications now and submitting by end of December. Cross your fingers for me!
Feel free to ask any questions and I will get back to you!
Diana