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JL2822
Current Student
Joined: 12 Aug 2020
Last visit: 24 Jun 2022
Posts: 38
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States (NY)
Concentration: Marketing, International Business
Schools: Said '23 (A) INSEAD Aug 22 intake (A)
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V37
GPA: 3.42
WE:Account Management (Advertising and PR)
07 Apr 2021, 07:42
Kudos
Bookmarks
I want to share my GMAT story in the hopes that it can inspire someone else. This is a long post but I wanted to give as full as picture as possible.
Last June I decided I was going to study for and take the GMAT. I knew it would be hard but I naively though that I could study for a few months and then take and ace the test. I ended up studying for 8 months (at about 15-25 hours a week). I am fortunate because I knew I wasn't applying to programs until Fall 2021 (for a Fall 2022 start date) so I could study for months. If possible, I recommend taking the preparing for the GMAT roughly a year ahead of when you plan to apply to schools. This way you can focus on GMAT and then once the test is done, you can focus on applications.
When I started studying (using the OG 2020 book) I realized how much work I would need to put in. I could not complete a single math question in the diagnostic test. Not one. I was fortunate that my verbal reasoning was relatively strong so I could focus mostly on math. I had serious doubts that I could reach my target score of a 680 but I decided to try.
For some background, I work in advertising and have always had a hard time with basic math skills and concepts. It's safe to say that I had not done any serious math in ~8 years (this can be typical for other test takers). I realized that I needed to relearn the multiplication tables and practice basic mental math as I rely heavily on calculators. To help, I completed math workbooks for 2nd grade (3 or 4 number addition and subtraction), 3rd grade (multiplication) and 5th grade (basic geometry and algebra). Completing these books without a calculator helped me build up my mental math skills and confidence in these basic skills. If you're starting from nothing (like me) I recommend going through similar steps. I can be frustrating and you may feel like you'll never be able to take the GMAT but all of those skills are critical for the test.
After I completed the workbooks, I found this wonderful website! I read several of these motivation stories and noticed that a few talked about using Target Test Prep. I looked into the program and decided to sign up. While it is true that TTP takes a while to complete (it took me 5 months from start to finish) it is a fantastic program. It's extremely thorough and has great explanations and practice problems. I do want to note that I only used TTP for math so I cannot speak to the verbal lessons.
After completing the TTP program, I took my first official practice test and got a 590 (Q32 V38). While I was happy I could actually complete a test and get some math questions right I was really frustrated. After studying quant for 5 months I had hoped to be in the 600s as I was targeting a score of 680. I hoped this score was a fluke but did not want to rely on that as an explanation. I decided to retake all of the TTP easy questions to make sure I had the basic skills down. I also used the TTP analytics/error log to find patterns. After taking an extra month to complete these problems, I took the second official practice test and got a 640 (Q43 V34). This was right around where I had hoped to be but knew that my work was still far from over.
For the next 3 months, I continued to practice using TTP, GMAT Club tests, and the OG guide. I also took official practice tests every few weeks. My scores are as follows:
-Official Practice test 3: 650 (Q42 V38)
-Official Practice test 4: 690 (Q44 V41)
-Official Practice test 5: 680 (Q48 V35)
It was around this time that I attempted to take my first real GMAT test. I signed up for the online GMAT and was going to use my work computer (that is all I currently have). Long story short do not use your work laptop. My laptop passed all of the initial system checks (twice) but a back end program came up during the test and I had to end it. While this was a terrible experience, I do have to say that I was not very confident going into this test. While I am frustrated I could not take this exam, I do not think I would have done well so I try to see the bright side of this situation.
After my failed GMAT attempt, I had 1 more month before I was set to take my next online exam. For my last month of practice, I realized that I had plateaued with TTP but still had some issues I needed to work out. I read about Math Revolution and decided to spend 2 weeks learning the Ivy approach and Variation approach through their platform. I really like adding these techniques to the what I learned in TTP. I tend to make a lot of little mistakes and can second guess myself. I found that Math Revolution's systems helped me feel more confident and make less mistakes. I personally think the TTP has a better system in place (I have a hard time learning through watching videos) and better explanations but I liked the innovative approach of Math Revolution. Learning the Math Revolution techniques after I had a grasp of the concepts (thanks to TTP) also helped to reinforce all that I had learned.
A week out from my official exam I did my last official practice exam. I bombed it. I got a 570 (Q42 and V27). I took this test during a huge wind storm that actually knocked out my power for a while. While there were some major real world issues, I didn't want to rely on those as an explanation for my bad score. I spent my final week going through sub 600 and 600 level problems to increase my confidence and skills.
The day of the test I was relaxed and ready for the test to be over. I borrowed a neighbors personal laptop so I was hopeful that I could actually get through the test. The test was hard and long (no surprise there) and I truly had no idea how I was doing. I used every second in all 3 section (quant, verbal, and IR). I then began the painful wait until I could know my scores.
Yesterday I received my official score: 690 (Q47 V37). I was so happy and relieved! I could not believe that I actually took the GMAT exam and exceeded my goal of a 680 in 8 months! There were countless moments I cried from frustration or did not believe I could do it. But I did it. I know that to some people a 690 is a disappointment or even a starting score. I could study for another few months and try to take the test again but I've decided I'm done. I'm happy with my score and I the stress for just the possibility of a few more points is not worth it for me. I want to remind you that everyone is different and has different goals/circumstances. Don't compare yourself directly to others and remember that your application is made up of more than just your GMAT score. You have other ways to help stand out from the crowd besides your GMAT score.
If you actually read this far, I want to thank you. I hope my story was motivational and/or informative for you. Please feel free to PM any questions.
Materials I used:
TTP
OG Guide (I used the full overall guide and the quant and verbal specific guides)
GMAT Club Tests/Quizzes/question of the day
Kaplan GMAT question of the day
Math Revolution
All 6 OG Practice tests
Last June I decided I was going to study for and take the GMAT. I knew it would be hard but I naively though that I could study for a few months and then take and ace the test. I ended up studying for 8 months (at about 15-25 hours a week). I am fortunate because I knew I wasn't applying to programs until Fall 2021 (for a Fall 2022 start date) so I could study for months. If possible, I recommend taking the preparing for the GMAT roughly a year ahead of when you plan to apply to schools. This way you can focus on GMAT and then once the test is done, you can focus on applications.
When I started studying (using the OG 2020 book) I realized how much work I would need to put in. I could not complete a single math question in the diagnostic test. Not one. I was fortunate that my verbal reasoning was relatively strong so I could focus mostly on math. I had serious doubts that I could reach my target score of a 680 but I decided to try.
For some background, I work in advertising and have always had a hard time with basic math skills and concepts. It's safe to say that I had not done any serious math in ~8 years (this can be typical for other test takers). I realized that I needed to relearn the multiplication tables and practice basic mental math as I rely heavily on calculators. To help, I completed math workbooks for 2nd grade (3 or 4 number addition and subtraction), 3rd grade (multiplication) and 5th grade (basic geometry and algebra). Completing these books without a calculator helped me build up my mental math skills and confidence in these basic skills. If you're starting from nothing (like me) I recommend going through similar steps. I can be frustrating and you may feel like you'll never be able to take the GMAT but all of those skills are critical for the test.
After I completed the workbooks, I found this wonderful website! I read several of these motivation stories and noticed that a few talked about using Target Test Prep. I looked into the program and decided to sign up. While it is true that TTP takes a while to complete (it took me 5 months from start to finish) it is a fantastic program. It's extremely thorough and has great explanations and practice problems. I do want to note that I only used TTP for math so I cannot speak to the verbal lessons.
After completing the TTP program, I took my first official practice test and got a 590 (Q32 V38). While I was happy I could actually complete a test and get some math questions right I was really frustrated. After studying quant for 5 months I had hoped to be in the 600s as I was targeting a score of 680. I hoped this score was a fluke but did not want to rely on that as an explanation. I decided to retake all of the TTP easy questions to make sure I had the basic skills down. I also used the TTP analytics/error log to find patterns. After taking an extra month to complete these problems, I took the second official practice test and got a 640 (Q43 V34). This was right around where I had hoped to be but knew that my work was still far from over.
For the next 3 months, I continued to practice using TTP, GMAT Club tests, and the OG guide. I also took official practice tests every few weeks. My scores are as follows:
-Official Practice test 3: 650 (Q42 V38)
-Official Practice test 4: 690 (Q44 V41)
-Official Practice test 5: 680 (Q48 V35)
It was around this time that I attempted to take my first real GMAT test. I signed up for the online GMAT and was going to use my work computer (that is all I currently have). Long story short do not use your work laptop. My laptop passed all of the initial system checks (twice) but a back end program came up during the test and I had to end it. While this was a terrible experience, I do have to say that I was not very confident going into this test. While I am frustrated I could not take this exam, I do not think I would have done well so I try to see the bright side of this situation.
After my failed GMAT attempt, I had 1 more month before I was set to take my next online exam. For my last month of practice, I realized that I had plateaued with TTP but still had some issues I needed to work out. I read about Math Revolution and decided to spend 2 weeks learning the Ivy approach and Variation approach through their platform. I really like adding these techniques to the what I learned in TTP. I tend to make a lot of little mistakes and can second guess myself. I found that Math Revolution's systems helped me feel more confident and make less mistakes. I personally think the TTP has a better system in place (I have a hard time learning through watching videos) and better explanations but I liked the innovative approach of Math Revolution. Learning the Math Revolution techniques after I had a grasp of the concepts (thanks to TTP) also helped to reinforce all that I had learned.
A week out from my official exam I did my last official practice exam. I bombed it. I got a 570 (Q42 and V27). I took this test during a huge wind storm that actually knocked out my power for a while. While there were some major real world issues, I didn't want to rely on those as an explanation for my bad score. I spent my final week going through sub 600 and 600 level problems to increase my confidence and skills.
The day of the test I was relaxed and ready for the test to be over. I borrowed a neighbors personal laptop so I was hopeful that I could actually get through the test. The test was hard and long (no surprise there) and I truly had no idea how I was doing. I used every second in all 3 section (quant, verbal, and IR). I then began the painful wait until I could know my scores.
Yesterday I received my official score: 690 (Q47 V37). I was so happy and relieved! I could not believe that I actually took the GMAT exam and exceeded my goal of a 680 in 8 months! There were countless moments I cried from frustration or did not believe I could do it. But I did it. I know that to some people a 690 is a disappointment or even a starting score. I could study for another few months and try to take the test again but I've decided I'm done. I'm happy with my score and I the stress for just the possibility of a few more points is not worth it for me. I want to remind you that everyone is different and has different goals/circumstances. Don't compare yourself directly to others and remember that your application is made up of more than just your GMAT score. You have other ways to help stand out from the crowd besides your GMAT score.
If you actually read this far, I want to thank you. I hope my story was motivational and/or informative for you. Please feel free to PM any questions.
Materials I used:
TTP
OG Guide (I used the full overall guide and the quant and verbal specific guides)
GMAT Club Tests/Quizzes/question of the day
Kaplan GMAT question of the day
Math Revolution
All 6 OG Practice tests
07 Apr 2021, 18:40
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi JL050594,
Amazing job!!! I'm so happy for you! Thank you for sharing, and good luck with things moving forward.
Amazing job!!! I'm so happy for you! Thank you for sharing, and good luck with things moving forward.
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