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Apr 2212:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
At one point, she believed GMAT wasn’t for her. After scoring 595, self-doubt crept in and she questioned her potential. But instead of quitting, she made the right strategic changes. The result? A remarkable comeback to 695. Check out how Saakshi did it.
Apr 1612:00 PM EDT
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Apr 2301:30 AM EDT
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Struggling with GMAT Verbal as a non-native speaker? Harsh improved his score from 595 to 695 in just 45 days—and scored a 99 %ile in Verbal (V88)! Learn how smart strategy, clarity, and guided prep helped him gain 100 points.
Apr 2308:00 PM PDT
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Video explanations + diagnosis of 10 weakest areas + 150+ short videos + study plan!
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
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The Target Test Prep course represents a quantum leap forward in GMAT preparation, a radical reinterpretation of the way that students should study. Try before you buy with a 5-day, full-access trial of the course for FREE!
Apr 2711:00 AM EDT
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Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors
Apr 2808:00 AM PDT
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Whether you are just beginning your MBA journey or fine-tuning your path to a 700+ score, GMAT Day is designed to give you a competitive edge.
26 Jun 2018, 05:12
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Hi everyone. I've been a long time lurker on these forums, and reading a lot of the debriefs helped through some difficult moments. In my own small way, I'd like to contribute and give back. Big thanks to the wonderful people of this site, Bunuel, BB, GMATRich, and the rest.
Background
I'm a chemical engineer, graduated top of my class in India, and went on to work in Germany, Malaysia and Singapore, for the same company, after getting consistently promoted. Based on this, and my first GMAT score of 700, I thought I had a pretty good shot of getting into an elite school. Long story short, in December of 2017 I applied and subsequently got dinged from Cambridge and Harvard. Harvard was always a moonshot, but Cambridge really cut deep. I decided to take the GMAT again in June 2018, and apply a year later.
Prep
The good folks on the internet seemed to like the Manhattan, so I bought all 6 strategy guides, which also gave access to the full length CATS. I found the Manhattan quant books excellent, and didn't really use the verbal too much. I've pretty much been a native speaker of English my whole life, so I really just brushed up on a few rules and 'formalized' some concepts. The Manhattan tests, while excellent, are supremely difficult, so to anyone reading this, please don't be disheartened by low scores. Ill leave it to others to comment on scoring algorithms. My test scores were as below, in order
MGMAT 1 - 700
MGMAT 2 - 660 (really got annoyed after this one )
GMATPrep 1 - 770
MGMAT 3 - 690
MGMAT 4 - 700
GMATprep 2 - 770
GMATprep 3 -780
MGMAT 5 - 730
MGMAT 6 - 720
GMATPrep 4 - 770
GMATprep 5 - 780
GMATprep 6 - 770 ( taken two days before the exam)
GMAT - 770 Q50 V46
Takeaways :
1. There's a lot of information and advice out there, most of it well intentioned. The key is to find what works for you. Try out a little of everything, especially if you're still early in your prep, and figure out your own schedules, methods of study, books etc. I discovered the Veritasprep videos 3 weeks before my exam, and they are the only reason I finally understood Combinatorics and Probability. Get them on the app for free.
2. There is no substitute for effort. I've never been one of the more intelligent, just someone who works hard. IF I can do it, believe me so can you ! Make a schedule and stick to it. My job involves a lot of travelling, and I shudder thinking back about the time I spent at airports rummaging through my books, simply exhausted. Now, it all feels worth it.
3. Ask for help. Whether its a friend, a course, or this lovely website. Admit that you don't /can't understand something, and try to find someone or something that can help you. Don't give up, saying this is something Ill leave to chance on the GMAT. ( Of course this applies to people who still have some time for their exam. To those of you in your last weeks, ignore this )
4. Stop trying to learn anything in your last 4 weeks. Keep that time for revising, strengthening, and giving tests.
5. Go over every single question from every single test, especially on the GMATPrep exams. Even the ones you got correct. Ask yourself how you got them correct, and whether any new approaches come to you. I can 100% that while similar questions to what you've done before will show up, they will always have a tiny twist.
6. Manhattan exams are difficult. They're good early on in your prep, but don't touch them in your last 4 weeks. Just don't. Not the Quant, the verbal, no, nothing.
7. Spend the last two day before an exam relaxing, thinking about how much you've studied, how much you know. Don't underestimate the importance of sleep. I flew half way across the world to spend the GMAt week with my parents, and gave the exam after 3 days of chilling, with a little bit of jetlag thrown in.
8. Literally every question you can't answer has been answered on this website by somebody. Use this information to understand as much as you can.
9. The GMAT is a test of intelligence, and application of that intelligence. Don't let that trick you into thinking it can't be conquered. You, yes you reading this, have a 750 inside you. All you need to do is a find the right way to let it out.
Good luck.
Background
I'm a chemical engineer, graduated top of my class in India, and went on to work in Germany, Malaysia and Singapore, for the same company, after getting consistently promoted. Based on this, and my first GMAT score of 700, I thought I had a pretty good shot of getting into an elite school. Long story short, in December of 2017 I applied and subsequently got dinged from Cambridge and Harvard. Harvard was always a moonshot, but Cambridge really cut deep. I decided to take the GMAT again in June 2018, and apply a year later.
Prep
The good folks on the internet seemed to like the Manhattan, so I bought all 6 strategy guides, which also gave access to the full length CATS. I found the Manhattan quant books excellent, and didn't really use the verbal too much. I've pretty much been a native speaker of English my whole life, so I really just brushed up on a few rules and 'formalized' some concepts. The Manhattan tests, while excellent, are supremely difficult, so to anyone reading this, please don't be disheartened by low scores. Ill leave it to others to comment on scoring algorithms. My test scores were as below, in order
MGMAT 1 - 700
MGMAT 2 - 660 (really got annoyed after this one )
GMATPrep 1 - 770
MGMAT 3 - 690
MGMAT 4 - 700
GMATprep 2 - 770
GMATprep 3 -780
MGMAT 5 - 730
MGMAT 6 - 720
GMATPrep 4 - 770
GMATprep 5 - 780
GMATprep 6 - 770 ( taken two days before the exam)
GMAT - 770 Q50 V46
Takeaways :
1. There's a lot of information and advice out there, most of it well intentioned. The key is to find what works for you. Try out a little of everything, especially if you're still early in your prep, and figure out your own schedules, methods of study, books etc. I discovered the Veritasprep videos 3 weeks before my exam, and they are the only reason I finally understood Combinatorics and Probability. Get them on the app for free.
2. There is no substitute for effort. I've never been one of the more intelligent, just someone who works hard. IF I can do it, believe me so can you ! Make a schedule and stick to it. My job involves a lot of travelling, and I shudder thinking back about the time I spent at airports rummaging through my books, simply exhausted. Now, it all feels worth it.
3. Ask for help. Whether its a friend, a course, or this lovely website. Admit that you don't /can't understand something, and try to find someone or something that can help you. Don't give up, saying this is something Ill leave to chance on the GMAT. ( Of course this applies to people who still have some time for their exam. To those of you in your last weeks, ignore this )
4. Stop trying to learn anything in your last 4 weeks. Keep that time for revising, strengthening, and giving tests.
5. Go over every single question from every single test, especially on the GMATPrep exams. Even the ones you got correct. Ask yourself how you got them correct, and whether any new approaches come to you. I can 100% that while similar questions to what you've done before will show up, they will always have a tiny twist.
6. Manhattan exams are difficult. They're good early on in your prep, but don't touch them in your last 4 weeks. Just don't. Not the Quant, the verbal, no, nothing.
7. Spend the last two day before an exam relaxing, thinking about how much you've studied, how much you know. Don't underestimate the importance of sleep. I flew half way across the world to spend the GMAt week with my parents, and gave the exam after 3 days of chilling, with a little bit of jetlag thrown in.
8. Literally every question you can't answer has been answered on this website by somebody. Use this information to understand as much as you can.
9. The GMAT is a test of intelligence, and application of that intelligence. Don't let that trick you into thinking it can't be conquered. You, yes you reading this, have a 750 inside you. All you need to do is a find the right way to let it out.
Good luck.
26 Jun 2018, 06:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
Ahh, those words of wisdom, indeed an insightful debrief.
Many congratulations on the score subirroy , and wishing you luck for your applications
Many congratulations on the score subirroy , and wishing you luck for your applications
MikeScarn
Current Student
Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Last visit: 25 Jan 2026
Posts: 263
Given Kudos: 227
Location: United States (IL)
Concentration: Technology, Leadership
Schools: Tuck '24 (WA) Harvard '24 (D) Kellogg '24 (WA) Wharton '24 (D) Haas '24 (D) Sloan '24 (D) Fuqua '24 (D) Booth '24 (M) Yale '24 (A$)
GMAT 1: 690 Q44 V41
GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38
GPA: 3.62
WE:Sales (Computer Software)
Schools: Tuck '24 (WA) Harvard '24 (D) Kellogg '24 (WA) Wharton '24 (D) Haas '24 (D) Sloan '24 (D) Fuqua '24 (D) Booth '24 (M) Yale '24 (A$)
GMAT 2: 730 Q50 V38
Posts: 263
26 Jun 2018, 07:39
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congrats dude, unreal score! What was your Q and V breakout?
1. Thanks for the suggestion for the Veritas App. Never heard of it before, it looks great.
2. I definitely resonate with this as well. I've always been a hard worker, but if you started with a 700 I'm sure you're naturally very intelligent as well as hard working
6. Understood that Manhattan tests are rough, but why not use them the last 4 weeks? Just to build confidence I'm assuming?
Congrats again and thanks for the debrief!
1. Thanks for the suggestion for the Veritas App. Never heard of it before, it looks great.
2. I definitely resonate with this as well. I've always been a hard worker, but if you started with a 700 I'm sure you're naturally very intelligent as well as hard working
6. Understood that Manhattan tests are rough, but why not use them the last 4 weeks? Just to build confidence I'm assuming?
Congrats again and thanks for the debrief!
