Scored 710 .. thank you GMATClub!!

Question

Just came back from the test center .. got Q48 V39 and 710.
Thanks to AkamaiBrah, Stolyar and the gang for all their advice!

pitts20042006 · Answer

Congratulations bluefox420. GRRRRRRRT job.

detailed experience plssss ... mine is comming up in the next 3 days ... really very very anxious and feel am totally underprepared .... when it comes to RC especially. Not enuff time left to catch up and cant reschedule!!

bluefox420 · Answer

I followed all the test day tips that BB has mentioned on this site. 
Math kept increasing in difficulty till the 10th question or so, and then stabilized. Only a couple of simple combi/probs (thanks Stolyar!)
Verbal was almost exactly the level of difficulty of the OG.

My weak point was CR and thats why my verbal score went down. Also, no matter how hard I tried, my mind was starting to stress out around the mid portion of the verbal section. So make sure you take that stress into account when you practice RC. The questions are easy, the stress will get you though.

dj · Answer

great. time to party. could you pls summarize your practice test scores? ..boost up a little :wink:

enjoy!! dj

bluefox420 · Answer

Kaplan : 590, 550, 600, 640
Powerprep : 690, 710

pitts20042006 · Answer

could you share with us what was your final push to go past 700 .. also what you did in the last 2-3 days before the exam?

What is your profile?

bluefox420 · Answer

In the quant section, I was trying to solve the word problems (rate, sets etc) using conventional methods. I started using grids for set and rate problems and after doing so my timing, as well as my reasoning, started to improve.

In the verbal section, I realized that I could not improve my CR scores past a point. I compensated by solving a lot of RC problems from Vstudy and GMATPlus, and did the same for SC. A friend of mine told me to solve RC problems after the brain has had some stress, e.g. after the workday, which will simulate test conditions - I thought it was a good tip.

As far as my profile goes, I have about 6 yrs work exp. - 3 yrs in India and 3 yrs in US in IT and telecom. I will start looking at the application process now because my profile isn't very unique, and a good app will make all the difference.

pitts20042006 · Answer

Could you show us an example of the method of grids and all that you are talking about please.

Which Univerities are you planning to apply to? Any in India or all in here?

bluefox420 · Answer

Well, take any of the problems when person A starts walking from X to Y and B start from Y to X, speeds of each are given and you have to calculate where they meet. It's easier to solve it if you make a grid with the speed, distance and time - infact look at how the OG solves it (I dont have the problem number with me right now)

I would like to try US and European Universities, dont know if IIm takes GMAT scores

dj · Answer

no, IIMs don't take gmat scores. you can try in ISB. they have a jet-speed, 1 yr, high profile curriculum and pretty good affiliations (only if these matter). To the Indian, and to an extent global, perspect ISB is a pretty decent choice.

pitts20042006 · Answer

Actually IIMs do take GMAT scores. Please check the sites for details.

bluefox420 · Answer

Also, look at the OG problem with the airconditioned rooms/rented rooms calculation. If you try to solve it with algebraic methods, it would be much longer than if you do it with the grid as the OG does.

dj · Answer

yeh, that's right. IIMs do take gmat score, but they have a complicated clause there "..if you are residing outside India and can't take CAT, then you are eligible" what if a person is outside India, not permanently?? will he be eligible? 

call IIMs and confirm.

pitts20042006 · Answer

Yes he will be eligible. You should not be in India during the admission period .. THAT is the clause.

If you are in India on the day of the CAT exam then you HAVE TO take it and NOT GMAT. If you are in india during the time when the IIM is conducting interviews and you are invited for one you HAVE TO attend the interview.

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Scored 710 .. thank you GMATClub!!

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