The 700 Pledge of a GMAT Test Taker I have been asked many times by members who scored 600 after 3-4 attempts (often after years of preparation), two main questions: what should I do and why can’t I improve my score? So here is my answer to all of those questions, PM’s and posts – if you are finding yourself not able to improve, stuck, or lost, join me in taking this 700-pledge. I have to warn you, however, it involves a lot of hard work, it does not have shortcuts, and the consequence of breaking it are depression, inferiority, and apathy. Proceed only if you think you can handle it and only if your MBA dream is something you are very serious about. I pledge to: Learn valuable knowledge and skills from the GMAT. I am not going just to finish a chapeter, book, or course. I will ensure that I learn from my materials as much as I can. Use GMAT to obtain valuable skills I can use for the rest of my life - logical thinking, critical reading, fast math skills, etc Align my priorities with goals and if I may have to make hard decision such as shift my study schedule to be before I go to work or before I go to work out, or instead of a Friday night poker game, I will do it. Keep track of my mistakes. I will maintain an error log for at least the questions I got wrong. Use the timer with every question and exercise Commit to building a study schedule. Ask myself every day if there is anything else that I can do to study/improve/answer/not make mistakes? Is there ANYTHING in this world that can help me? Is it memorizing all formulas? Is it memorizing the question? Is it learning some concepts that are not covered on the GMAT but are important for understanding (verbal or quant), is it stopping before every question and pausing for 5-10 seconds? is it studying at 5 AM? If any of these is yes, no matter how challenging or how painful, I commit to them because I wan to achieve my dream and Set my preparation at the highest priority (right with my health and family) Follow all GMAT leads/concerns/fears I have until they are addressed If I have to, I will create/write my own notes. I will take any notes in a separate notebook so that I can remember better. Do what it takes. If I need to remember the whole book, I will write out the whole freaking book into notes and organize it so that I can memorize it and if it does not work the first time, I am ready to do it again. Not let GMAT rest. I will be obsessed with the GMAT, with critical reasoning, with identifying assumptions, with calculating speeds, etc. Get a 700+ score. I may get it easy or I may have to work hard for it. I realize that if I do not get the score I want, it does not mean I am stupid or hopeless or poor. It just means that I am lazy and GMAT was not my priority. Not skip sections/chapters in my prep and if I skipped any in my past in Quant or Verbal, I commit to revisiting them Not leave a chapter/area/book/test until I can score above 90% of the questions within the time frame. Stand proud because I have and will do everything in my power to achieve my goal. Should I fall short of that score, I will still stand proud of my score because I have done everything in my power and I have not a single doubt in my mind that not a stone was left unturned and I have done my absolute best. I will have no regrets and no retakes. If you agree to follow this pledge, please SIGN it publically so that there is no going back - You can post a reply with your username. - If this is working or not working for you - please share what worked or what failed - it will help others! - You can LIKE THIS PAGE on Facebook or on Google+ (see buttons above this post) - You can Tweet it on Twitter Thank you and Good Luck! https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?id=32848 If you are lacking motivation and need some ideas how to improve your score, I have a recommendation for you - get this book - it will help you understand a bit more about what it takes to succeed and persevere and potentially lead to some interesting revelations. You can even it get it for free as an audio book and listen during workout or commute. https://amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-C ... 345472322/ -

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The 700 Pledge

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prashant9999

Joined: 06 Jul 2015

Last visit: 23 Jul 2020

Posts: 1

Given Kudos: 4

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

20 Nov 2016, 18:27

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Please add me to the pledge. Not going back. Have achieved every challenges of my life till now. Struggling for the past one year for this. This will also happen.

Founder

Joined: 04 Dec 2002

Last visit: 01 Sep 2026

Posts: 43,688

Own Kudos:

85,092

Given Kudos: 24,928

Location: United States

GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

GPA: 3

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GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42 Verified score

Posts: 43,688

Kudos: 85,092

20 Nov 2016, 23:41

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Kurai

Thank you all who bumped it up - I have revised the post and added a few points.
If you are lacking motivation and need some ideas how to improve your score, I have a recommendation for you - get this book - it will help you understand a bit more about what it takes to succeed and persevere and potentially lead to some interesting revelations. You can even it get it for free as an audio book and listen during workout or commute.

https://amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-C ... 345472322/

Attachment:

mindset.png

Hey BB thank you for the recommendation.
Where can I get the free audio version of this book?
I checked audible, but it seems to cost a credit like any other book.
Would be a great read (listen) if I can get hands on it.

Audible and Aubiobooks.com both come with 30day free trials. They give you 1-2 credits (depending on the offer you find online) that you can use to download 1-2 books. It seems that books work even after you cancel your trial - mine is working at least.

siddique17

Joined: 05 Jul 2016

Last visit: 30 May 2017

Posts: 15

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 65

Location: India

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

Posts: 15

Kudos: 1

21 Nov 2016, 09:38

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Nevernevergiveup

I have taken it twice already but still could not reach my dream score.
I will make my best attempt this time and I pledge to do this time for sure.

Picture abhi baki hai.............. :-D

Nice!!! Good Motivation. We all need to hold tight through this gmat prep :idea:

siddique17

Joined: 05 Jul 2016

Last visit: 30 May 2017

Posts: 15

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 65

Location: India

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

Posts: 15

Kudos: 1

21 Nov 2016, 09:42

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ItsABrainGame

Pledged....will not leave a topic if i don't achieve 95% accuracy within time limit.

GOOD MOTIVATION!!!

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siddique17

Joined: 05 Jul 2016

Last visit: 30 May 2017

Posts: 15

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 65

Location: India

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

Posts: 15

Kudos: 1

21 Nov 2016, 09:50

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jaspar

I am glad to report that, after 8 months of perseverance, 28 practice CATs, and 4 official tries, I have finally conquered the GMAT! I even out did my own expectations. I got 730 (96%)! (Q49 (81%) V39 (88%), IR 7 (82%).

After taking the pledge in September I have placed GMAT as my top priority over anything else.
I will write my debrief after I am done with my Apps for round 2.

Thanks BB for encouraging us to take this pledge!

WOW!! Congragulations!! :-D

Not let GMAT rest. I will be obsessed with the GMAT, with critical reasoning, with identifying assumptions, with calculating speeds, etc

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siddique17

Joined: 05 Jul 2016

Last visit: 30 May 2017

Posts: 15

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 65

Location: India

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

GPA: 3.5

Schools: Rotman '19 Sauder 'Dec 18 Schulich Jan'19 ISB '18 Queens"18 Alberta"19 Desautels '19 HEC Montreal '19 Degroote McMaster"19 Ivey '18 Haskayne"19 (S) Molson '19 (S)

GMAT 1: 550 Q48 V18 Verified score

GRE 1: Q790 V490 Verified score

Posts: 15

Kudos: 1

21 Nov 2016, 09:53

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bosede

Thank you BB

I am in too. I pledge to do whatever it takes to score a 700+

I Ask myself every day if there is anything else that I can do to study/improve/answer/not make mistakes? Is there ANYTHING in this world that can help me? Is it memorizing all formulas? Is it memorizing the question? Is it learning some concepts that are not covered on the GMAT but are important for understanding (verbal or quant), is it stopping before every question and pausing for 5-10 seconds? is it studying at 5 AM? If any of these is yes, no matter how challenging or how painful, I commit to them because I want to achieve my dream.

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omairanw

Joined: 10 Feb 2011

Last visit: 03 Jul 2021

Posts: 3

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Given Kudos: 2

Posts: 3

Kudos: 1

28 Jan 2017, 02:06

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I pledge to the 700 plus score challenge.

NerdyEmoOne

Joined: 19 Jan 2017

Last visit: 11 Apr 2018

Posts: 2

Given Kudos: 18

Posts: 2

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17 May 2017, 07:40

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I pledge my brain and perseverance to the GMAT 750+ score, for this night and all the days/nights to come.

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File comment: We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?

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rhrforever

Joined: 15 May 2017

Last visit: 25 Jun 2017

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

18 May 2017, 19:18

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I'm in

Sent from my Lenovo A7000-a using GMAT Club Forum mobile app

vel4gmat

Joined: 10 Feb 2016

Last visit: 01 Feb 2018

Posts: 5

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Given Kudos: 25

Posts: 5

Kudos: 1

18 May 2017, 22:30

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I am in it 100%

I have taken GMAT thrice - 570 (Q39 V29), 550 (Q36, V29), 640 (Q43, V35)
I was interviewed and dinged by one of the Top UK schools as I did not have minimum GMAT score required for that school which was 650.
Now I am heading for a 4th attempt though have not booked a test date yet. I am determined to cross the 700 barrier.
In my journey until now, I have used lot of self study materials including MGMAT books, magoosh, empowergmat, egmat, total gmat math, jeff sackman sets, LSAT prep tests etc.

BB: Can I consider 'How to improve from Q44 to Q50' post ? My latest score is Q43. So I am unsure whether to consider this one for quant. Please suggest.

[email protected]

Joined: 15 Dec 2016

Last visit: 15 Nov 2017

Posts: 5

Given Kudos: 1

Posts: 5

Kudos: 0

25 May 2017, 11:25

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This did make me realise that there is no shortcut to 700+. Come what may I will do whatever takes to be disciplined and focused. Will definitely be on 700+ list! Signing up this petition!

Posted from my mobile device

moonwalking

Joined: 30 Jun 2016

Last visit: 20 Apr 2018

Posts: 5

Own Kudos:

583

Given Kudos: 17

GMAT 1: 680 Q45 V38 Verified score

Posts: 5

Kudos: 583

25 May 2017, 14:05

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First post...and I have definitely realized that there aren't any shortcuts to 700+ so here I am. :yes

akshayk

Joined: 06 Jul 2016

Last visit: 21 Sep 2020

Posts: 269

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431

Given Kudos: 99

Location: Singapore

Concentration: Strategy, Finance

Posts: 269

Kudos: 431

25 May 2017, 19:49

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Adding my name to the pledge as well!
Public scrutiny shall push me harder.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

vikasnahar

Joined: 04 Sep 2013

Last visit: 29 Dec 2018

Posts: 3

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Given Kudos: 19

Posts: 3

Kudos: 1

27 May 2017, 07:15

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I take the pledge. I will read the pledge every morning to remind me of my priorities and help me in taking corrective actions.

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