So I didn't get a 700, heck I didn't even break 600.

Background

I graduated in 2015 with a degree in Finance from a top 50 school. Shortly after, I began working as a Financial Analyst for a manufacturing company in Chicago. I left the company in September 2016 on good terms. We had agreed to a 1-year position, but they didn't have the headcount nor were they willing to sponsor my work visa. Turns out, while many people were willing to hire me, no one wanted to go through the process of filing for a work visa. I eventually ran out of unemployment days to maintain the work status granted through my student visa and left the country in December of 2016. As an EU Citizen from a small island, I thought it might be best to look for jobs in Europe. After a month of searching, there was still no traction, so I decided it would be best for me to go back to school and pick up a 12-16 month MSc in Finance. I have never driven to be the best, I was ok with being just pretty good. However, after going through this painful experience, I was done with being pretty good. And so on February 1st my GMAT quest for a 700+ began.

I had to take the GMAT on March 25th to meet a deadline, so I decided to dedicate as much time as possible to the exam.

I bought/used the following materials:

OG 17
The Economist GMAT Tutor
Manhattan Review SC Free Ebook.

My Test Scores

1.) Economist CAT 1 (Q38 V24) 510
2.) Economist CAT 2 (Q43 V21) 530
3.) GMAT Prep 1 650 (Q47 V33) 650
4.) Kaplan Free Cat (Q42 V34) 630
5.) Veritas Free Cat (Q44 V31) 620
6.) Economist CAT 3 (Q49 V33) 660
7.) Economist CAT 4 (Q45 V21) 540 (Don't Know what happened here on the Verbal, 28/41 right with a streak of 9, and 10 right)
8.) GMAT Prep 2 (Q44 V30) 610
9.) Actual GMAT (Q44 V24 IR6) 570

Brief Overview of My Studies:

I put in close to 150-200 Hours over 50 days. Mostly Doing the Economist Course, Practice Exams, and reviewing them.
I did my last CAT 6 Days before the exam and took it very easy the last 2 days before my exam.
2 Days to test day: Did 50 Practice Questions from the OG, had 90% accuracy.
1 Day to test day: Reviewed Flash Cards, Memorized Awa Template, Watched TV.

Test Day Experience

While I was very anxious in days leading up to the exam, I was calm and collected on Test Day. I was focused on the opportunity for success.

Right before I went to bed, I saw Devon Booker Score 70 points. This is something that has only happened a few times in NBA History. I felt confident that this rare 70 was a sign of my 700 to come. Woke up at 6:00 feeling refreshed. Had a good breakfast at around 6:30. (Some Fruits, a PB&J, and an Orange Juice). Left for the test center at 7:00, got there at 7:30. Check in process was smooth and I began my exam promptly at 8:00 a.m.

I wrote my AWA template on the scratch paper during the first 4-minute tutorial, after that, it was a breeze, I just filled in the blanks and read it over once. IR was pretty smooth as well. Skipped 3 questions in a row without looking at them and took extra time on the gettable ones.

During the first break, ate half of my snickers bar (Shout out to this post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-snacks-98462.html, Snickers was definitely a good choice), drank some water, and quickly went to the bathroom. I also swapped out my scratch paper booklet and pens for a fresh set. All said was feeling pretty good at the time and very relaxed heading into Quant.

During the 1 minute tutorial, I set up my scratch paper as recommended by this article: https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... tch-paper/. I would strongly advise you to check it out and give it a try during your next CAT. It helped my timing immensely, also helped organized the clutter, which allowed me to answer more questions correctly in a row.

I started off HOT, on the First 10 Questions, I think I only got 1 Wrong. (86% Accuracy according to ESR). At this point, I was about 4 minutes ahead of schedule. I slowed down a little as the questions got harder but maintained the recommended pace. I felt pretty good about the middle of the test (57% Accuracy according to ESR). Towards the end of the test, the problems got pretty hard but I felt like I got at least 40% of them correct. (Actually 29% Accuracy). I know I got the last question correct, I selected it and there were 10 seconds left and like an idiot, I didn't hit submit. So maybe this explains the Q44, I was expecting between 46-47. Overall not happy with my performance here, but not disappointed either. There were a few good takeaways: faced no time struggle, sacrificed only 2 questions and maintained my calm throughout.

The second break was exactly like the first; snickers, water, bathroom, new scratch paper.

I felt pretty good going into the verbal, For the most part, I felt that quant went well. I had never gotten a 700 before, so I knew it would be tough. I decided that my goal now was to just do the best that I can on verbal and at least break V30.

During the 1 minute tutorial, I put down a verbal timing chart and wrote ABCDE on the other half of the page.

My verbals are generally consistent but if I start off poorly or flustered, it's just a **** show from there. My biggest weakness is that I spend too long on SC, often unable to come up with a definitive answer. Unfortunately, my weaknesses were quickly exposed, the first few questions were SCs that I couldn't easily tackle. My timing was immediately off I was taking 2+ minutes per question. I was unable to focus on the first RC, my shaky performance left me flustered trying to gain ground. After the first 10 questions, I felt I probably got 5 right (62% Accuracy according to ESR). 22 minutes in and the pressure of the clock got to me and I began to unravel going back to my bad habits. As I fell behind I stopped eliminating answers on paper. At no point was I 100% sure of an answer. I also had to rush 16 Questions (with two RCs) in 18 minutes. My accuracy through the rest of the way was (70%,57%,38%)

Clearly, both Quant and Verbal show that I need to do a much better in the closing moments of the section.

I saw my score and I was shocked. 570?!?!?! After all that studying at no point did I ever feel I was going to get less than a 600. I printed my score report and left the test center with frustration rather than disappointment. The program I wanted to apply to needed a 650 minimum so it's out of the question now. I have always been a pretty smart kid, so it kind of sucks that I haven't been successful in anything I have tried in the past 7 months. However, rather than accepting defeat I am determined that I'll be back for my 700 come hell or high water.

I'll be taking the next few days lightly, to further identify my weaknesses and come up with a better study plan.

Final Thoughts

On a much lighter note: The test centers need to get better markers. The markers I used were terrible and I got 6 of them!

Also if there is anything you can take away from my experience, is that the burnout is real. I used to say burnout is just an excuse for not working hard. I was completely wrong, take your time, understand each concept, focus on smaller milestones, and be better today than you were yesterday.

My story isn't over yet, it's just beginning. Fall down 7 times get up 8.