My turn!
Okay, here goes.
About me:
I’m 25 years old, a mechanical engineer, a bike freak, a Ferrari F-1 team freak (Schumi rocks! Kimi will too), and a victim of the IT industry since the last 3 years (probably why I am so desperate to get out!)
My Preps:
Pretty erratic, in short.
I studied for around 3 months for the GMAT.
The first month I simply tested the water, checking out if I could actually think about giving the GMAT and getting somewhere. Discovered GMATClub from Google, and started meddling with posts – mainly Verbal. About 20 days later, I downloaded the GMATPrep software from mba.com and gave the full lengths a shot. Scored 710 and 730 on the two tests.
Well, that was it. I got my appointment fixed for the 26th of Sep, and got down to the real prep stages.
Bought a laptop, and got an internet connection. I was sure I would need these for my preparations. Preparing on paper for a test that you are going to take on a computer is downright ludicrous, if you ask me.
Because I had taken two full lengths at the very outset (Plus the other GMATPrep sectional tests and the accuracy rates of my GMATClub answers), I could analyze and target my specific weaknesses. The GMATClub forums were particularly beneficial as far as this part of my preps was concerned. Almost 70 – 75% of my serious prep notes are from discussions to the questions discussed on the forums. GMATClub was my main source for study material! I referred to books only as an additional reference, when I needed more data about a point that was mentioned on one of the discussions.
The second month was lukewarm in terms of preps, I even took a break and took a trek to the highest point in West Bengal, and got to see a front-row view of Kanchenjunga (
https://www.gmatclub.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=35892).
I returned and took a Kaplan full length and scored 630. Got scared to s*** and finally got down to some serious work. Next month was – back from work on time. An hours rest. Back to studies.
Took another Kaplan full-length at the beginning of the 3rd month and scored 610. At that point, I was basically at the end of my tether. Cut down on sleep to almost 4 hours on average most of the days.
10 days before the GMAT, I applied for leave and studied at home. Focus: Quants. During the entire period that I had prepared, Quants preps accounted for only around 20% of my time.
Kevincan probably noticed that I started vandalizing some of his problems. Many apologies for the mayhem on many of your recent posts.
D-Day (- 1):
I had to travel to a different location from where I am based at the moment, and elected to travel a day earlier. Reached the place early on Monday and reconnoitered the location of the test centre. I was on my own and did not want last minute glitches on G-Day.
Took a last, and final full length from Kaplan and scored 640. Went through my error logs one last time. Slept early.
D-Day:
It was predicted by the meteorological department that a cyclone would hit the coastline that day. My test location is pretty close by, and I was a little apprehensive about the possible consequences, but the cyclone changed course the night before, and all I got was a windy day.
I reached the test centre about three-quarters of an hour before the scheduled appointment time. They were very friendly (which helped soothe my frayed nerves).
The AWA essays were pretty easy – the Analysis of an Issue was something about Environmental controls, and the Analysis of an Argument was about a manager’s suggestion for some organizational changes. On both the essays, I took about 5 minutes to decide what I would write about. Next 15 minutes were spent typing in the first cut. Last 10 minutes - proof reading, corrections plus additions and deletions from the essays.
The Math section was pretty much in line with the GMATPrep test levels, and I didn’t get too many tricky questions. That made me a little nervous, but I shrugged it off and continued. Finished this section with around 5 minutes to go.
The Verbals also seemed to be pretty simple. Apparently I made more mistakes than I had hoped, but it still is not too bad. I’m sure I mucked up on RC and CR, because I was sure of the answer for most SC questions. Anyway, I’m not going to b**** on this, coz I still think its an okay score. Finished this section with around 25 minutes to go.
Did a fist punch when I saw the score. Been jumping around and grinning like mad since then.
In hindsight, I am a little disappointed with the Verbal score. But 41 is pretty respectable, isn't it? Happy about the Quants though.
The next battle:
Now for the schools. Suggestions are invited (rather, requested), though I am about to prepare a shortlist of my own. I knew I was not going to make it this year, so I did not enter any course at the prompt. As of now, all I have is my rough score. I’m planning to join a course next year fall with 4 years of work experience. I need a scholarship AND a loan to get through the course.
Prep material:
GMATClub
Kaplan Premier 2006
Kaplan Verbal Workbook
Nova’s GMAT
Practice Test scores:
GMATPrep #1 – 710
GMATPrep #2 – 730
Kaplan #1 – 630
Kaplan #2 – 610
Kaplan #3 – 640
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Updated on: 28 Sep 2006, 11:54
And regarding age... 18 till I die! 
And thanks for the words of advice, I'll be on the forum for this part of the battle as well!
