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11 Jul 2016, 10:18
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Hello fellow GMATers,
I thought I'd share my GMAT experience with you all, seeing as I constantly read this thread for inspiration.
I started studying in March, and planned to take my test in June. On my first Manhattan practice test, I scored a 590. I thought this was an OK starting point and proceeded to self study with the Manhattan GMAT books and Magoosh online materials. I highly recommend both -- I found the Magoosh videos to be very helpful in terms of explaining basic concepts, and the video explanations for EVERY problem are unbeatable. During my first month, I didn't take any practice tests, as I wanted to focus on improving my knowledge foundation. In retrospect, I should have started taking practice tests every 2 weeks just to get into the habit. For Verbal, I did 2 CR, 3 SC, and 1 RC passage per day. I originally struggled with CR, and watched the Magoosh videos for CR, but with enough practice got the hang of it. I just needed to get into the habit here, as Verbal is my strong suit.
On my second M-practice test, I scored a 640. I was excited by my progress, but knew I still had to improve at least +60 points to cross the 700 threshold. I was still struggling with more difficult quant problems (Verbal is my strength), so I decided to work with a private tutor from Owl Test Prep, which was 50% cheaper than Manhattan. BEST Decision ever. If you have the resources, I recommend working with a tutor (and you don't need to drop $$ to get the same results).
After working with a tutor for a few weeks, I took my third practice test- 590. I was MORTIFIED. I seriously almost had a nervous breakdown, and thank god my boyfriend was there to calm me down. I lost tremendous confidence in myself but resolved to move on. My tutor said this was normal, and encouraged me to focus on my timing and accuracy. I resolved to take a practice test from here on out every week.
On the next practice test (GMAC), I scored a 670. I was MUCH happier. I felt like I was getting closer to my goal score. To prepare for this exam, I focused A LOT on timing. I seemed to be constantly running out of time on the quant side. I started using the Manhattan method of keeping tabs on my time (60 minutes, question 8, 45 minutes, question 15, etc.) and timing every problem I did. I literally used my iPhone to keep track of my problem times, and used the lap button to give myself a sense of the 1-minute mark. This helped me tremendously. I also periodically checked how much time per problem I had left on the test by multiplying time left by 2. I took the next GMAC test and scored a 710! I knew I was on my way.
On my first official GMAT test date, I scored a 690. I knew this was in my range, but I was disappointed that I didn't quite cross the threshold. I decided to retake after speaking with some b-school counselors. Even though there is no statistical difference between my score and a 720, psychologically, crossing the 700 barrier is important. So if you're debating whether to retake with a high 600- DO IT.
I had two weeks to study for my next exam. I knew that I wasn't going to see the hardest quant problems, so I focused on mastering 600-700 level questions across key sections (# Properties, Word Problems). This was KEY to my success. I think that I focused too much on trying to solve the hardest problems, when in reality, I would never cross that barrier due to my quant-level. I also relaxed a lot. While during the previous study period I barely drank alcohol and woke up everyday at 5:30 AM, during this period, I let myself de-stress. I knew I was at the finish line, and just had to cross it.
My final test day came, and I scored a 710! I could hardly believe it. Somehow, I scored an 8 on IR (though I think I got lucky guessing!). I called my parents and my boyfriend right away -- I knew I couldn't have done it without them! Believe me, if I can achieve this, so can you. I highly recommend the Manhattan and Magoosh resources, as well as the gmat club forums (especially for explanations).
To recap:
Test 1: 590
Test 2: 640
Test 3: 590 (Yuck!)
Test 4: 670
Test 5: 710
GMAT: 690
Test 6: 730 (Felt confident!)
GMAT 2: 710
I thought I'd share my GMAT experience with you all, seeing as I constantly read this thread for inspiration.
I started studying in March, and planned to take my test in June. On my first Manhattan practice test, I scored a 590. I thought this was an OK starting point and proceeded to self study with the Manhattan GMAT books and Magoosh online materials. I highly recommend both -- I found the Magoosh videos to be very helpful in terms of explaining basic concepts, and the video explanations for EVERY problem are unbeatable. During my first month, I didn't take any practice tests, as I wanted to focus on improving my knowledge foundation. In retrospect, I should have started taking practice tests every 2 weeks just to get into the habit. For Verbal, I did 2 CR, 3 SC, and 1 RC passage per day. I originally struggled with CR, and watched the Magoosh videos for CR, but with enough practice got the hang of it. I just needed to get into the habit here, as Verbal is my strong suit.
On my second M-practice test, I scored a 640. I was excited by my progress, but knew I still had to improve at least +60 points to cross the 700 threshold. I was still struggling with more difficult quant problems (Verbal is my strength), so I decided to work with a private tutor from Owl Test Prep, which was 50% cheaper than Manhattan. BEST Decision ever. If you have the resources, I recommend working with a tutor (and you don't need to drop $$ to get the same results).
After working with a tutor for a few weeks, I took my third practice test- 590. I was MORTIFIED. I seriously almost had a nervous breakdown, and thank god my boyfriend was there to calm me down. I lost tremendous confidence in myself but resolved to move on. My tutor said this was normal, and encouraged me to focus on my timing and accuracy. I resolved to take a practice test from here on out every week.
On the next practice test (GMAC), I scored a 670. I was MUCH happier. I felt like I was getting closer to my goal score. To prepare for this exam, I focused A LOT on timing. I seemed to be constantly running out of time on the quant side. I started using the Manhattan method of keeping tabs on my time (60 minutes, question 8, 45 minutes, question 15, etc.) and timing every problem I did. I literally used my iPhone to keep track of my problem times, and used the lap button to give myself a sense of the 1-minute mark. This helped me tremendously. I also periodically checked how much time per problem I had left on the test by multiplying time left by 2. I took the next GMAC test and scored a 710! I knew I was on my way.
On my first official GMAT test date, I scored a 690. I knew this was in my range, but I was disappointed that I didn't quite cross the threshold. I decided to retake after speaking with some b-school counselors. Even though there is no statistical difference between my score and a 720, psychologically, crossing the 700 barrier is important. So if you're debating whether to retake with a high 600- DO IT.
I had two weeks to study for my next exam. I knew that I wasn't going to see the hardest quant problems, so I focused on mastering 600-700 level questions across key sections (# Properties, Word Problems). This was KEY to my success. I think that I focused too much on trying to solve the hardest problems, when in reality, I would never cross that barrier due to my quant-level. I also relaxed a lot. While during the previous study period I barely drank alcohol and woke up everyday at 5:30 AM, during this period, I let myself de-stress. I knew I was at the finish line, and just had to cross it.
My final test day came, and I scored a 710! I could hardly believe it. Somehow, I scored an 8 on IR (though I think I got lucky guessing!). I called my parents and my boyfriend right away -- I knew I couldn't have done it without them! Believe me, if I can achieve this, so can you. I highly recommend the Manhattan and Magoosh resources, as well as the gmat club forums (especially for explanations).
To recap:
Test 1: 590
Test 2: 640
Test 3: 590 (Yuck!)
Test 4: 670
Test 5: 710
GMAT: 690
Test 6: 730 (Felt confident!)
GMAT 2: 710
Kurai
Joined: 18 Apr 2016
Last visit: 31 May 2021
Posts: 76
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 310
Schools: Stanford '24 Anderson (UCLA)
GMAT 1: 610 Q47 V27
GMAT 2: 710 Q50 V37
WE:Supply Chain Management (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
11 Jul 2016, 12:28
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Congratulations on a fantastic score!
Excellent Debrief! I am on the same boat where I recently again started studying and got a score of 590.
Hopefully in 3 months time I can receive a score like yours!
Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me encouragement through it!
Excellent Debrief! I am on the same boat where I recently again started studying and got a score of 590.
Hopefully in 3 months time I can receive a score like yours!
Thank you for sharing your story and for giving me encouragement through it!
17 Jul 2016, 12:49
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Bookmarks
Congratulations! Great debrief. Best of luck on your future endeavors!
