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06 Dec 2021, 02:59
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There is a reason why GMAT exam is one of the hardest exams in the World today. But little did I pay attention to that fact when I began my preparations. It took me well over a year to score above 700, which I believe could have been achieved under 6 months with the right approach. I am Punith Subramani and this is my GMAT journey.
I began my GMAT preparations in the second quarter of 2020. I had been working with a corporate for 3 years, and made a switch to a start up in Bangalore towards the end of 2019. So when Covid struck, I came back to my hometown, Ooty - Yes, that beautiful mountain place. Working from home, I realized that if I don't leverage the situation to my best, there's little chance that I'll give my exams later on. So I started my preparations using the Official Guides and watching the content at GMATCLUB.
A good friend of mine made a reference to GMAT EXAMS as the 300 spartans (Zack Snyder movie 300 - who doesn't know that right). There's not a lot but just enough to stop you. But with the right approach and the right strategy, you'll be able to overcome the hurdle (Guess it worked, both in the movie and in my preparations). GMAT is not a concept heavy exam. There are 3 concepts in Verbal and 2 in Quants (broadly speaking). As a matter of fact, it tests you on the subject that you already are familiar with. But the catch in my opinion is that it is a REASONING exam.
Using only the OG's I couldn't find the right approach. Neither was I confident when marking the answers. So the first mock I gave (Trial Mock from Experts Global), I scored a 470, having no idea what went right and what went wrong. It was then I realized that I needed help in my preparations.
The first and the only test prep that I used was e-GMAT. The courses were so comprehensive and addressed every need of mine that I didn't look any further. The entire experience was also recorded in my success story interview.
But the thing that lacked in my preparation was having an effective strategy. As Covid held me captive in my home, work also started to pile on. I started having 12+work hours and preparing for GMAT went for a toss. I was irregular in my schedule and probably took the exam for granted, because now I had the conceptual knowledge (I know right
).
Even though I gave in time and energy for my preparations, I couldn't cross the 600 mark. I guess the most difficult thing is when you put the time and work but you don't get the results needed.
I was watching various success stories to keep me going. Few videos helped. But few other videos made me furious (especially the ones where a person says he scored a 700+ in one month). Here I was, 6 months deep into the preparations and yet I couldn't cross 600.
Things changed when I realized that my approach was my mistake. For instance, when I started my preparations using e-GMAT, I started off with SC. Once familiar with the concepts, I started giving tests to cement my knowledge. This approach took me 2 weeks to finish SC. Once done, I left the SC course and jumped to CR. CR took another 2 weeks, using the same approach. The mistake here was I left SC completely during this period. Once done with CR, I started RC, which again took another 2 weeks. By this time, it had already become 4 weeks since I solved a SC question, 2 weeks since I solved a CR. The right analogy here would be you going to a gym and picking weights. If you leave it for 4 weeks, you are probably back to square one.
I gave my first GMAT attempt on Jan 6, 2021 (in a exam centre).I scored a 640 (V34, Q44), a score that I couldn't accept. A lot went into the 8 month preparations, from my inefficient GMAT approach to work and personal life turmoil. But I was determined to give the exam another shot, for I believed that I could do a lot better.
This time I reached out to the experts at e-GMAT, asking for help. They replied me with an effective strategy that could help me reach my goal of scoring 760.
The approach was that I finish a concept module, lets say SC and give questions to cement my understanding on SC. Then once I move over to CR, include SC questions while giving the CR test too. Then once I move to RC, include both SC and CR in the practice tests. The same with Quants. Such an effective strategy it was. But the problem here was that I had already exhausted the question bank. Yes, over 4000 questions and 5 mock tests, all exhausted. The strategy was very effective but the practice to keep the knowledge intact was gone.
Balancing work and exam preps were always a challenge, but I started enjoying the challenge. I also started enjoying the knowledge I gained from the GMAT journey. Things were going very well. I scored a 730 on my official mocks and I decided to give my exam on August 30. Boom !!!!!! I scored a 610 (V28, Q46).
That was one of the most bitter moments I had in my life. More than a year of preparations only to score a 610. Self doubt started to creep in. What if I am not that smart? Why was the score so low? What if I cannot score more than this? What if the GMAT is not for me?
But if there's one thing that I know about myself is that I never give up. Its easier said than done, but I knew for a fact that I needed this for myself.
Picking myself up was probably the most difficult thing I did in a long time, but I wanted to. I really wanted to.
So I went back to the drawing room again. Mapped out the mistakes I did last time. I had the conceptual knowledge. I had the right mindset needed. I was confident. But the practice was a flaw. So I started practicing the questions, both Quants and Verbal. Experts Globals'15 test pack was of a great help. I also used GMATCLUB's forum quiz. I realized that practicing the questions now were a lot different than me practicing the e-GMAT questions a year back, because now I entirely knew what I was doing.
I started getting 700+ questions right for most of the time (around 80%). So I decided to give my exam again this time (Third time's the charm right).
I was scoring above 700 consistently in my mock exams. My score range was 720 to 770, 740 now being my mean score. I knew this time around I can score high.
During the day of my exam , October 30, I felt a little anxious, something that I never felt before. I wanted to make sure that I score my absolutely best. So I became extra cautious. Since I finished my mock exams with some time left over, I thought I could take the liberty to spend some extra time. I guess that didn't do me any good. Ended up having 5 Quant questions to solve in the last 2 minutes. I also messed up the last RC question in Verbal.
After finishing IR and AWA, the score was loading and my heart was in my mouth. When the score read 720 (Q49, V40, IR 5 and AWA 4), I was happy, but I wasn't too excited. Do I have what it takes to score 99 percentiles- ABSOLUTELY YES. But do I have the resources to give the exam and risk round 2 intake. NO.
I convinced myself that a 720 would work, for I do have a profile to complement the score. But still, a 760 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's next for me, it could be anything... Colleges... Work.... GMAT again ??? You never know !!!
So to sum it up, any person who's preparing for your GMAT, please remember these:
1. An effective strategy can save you months, if not years, in preparation.
2. GMAT is a once in a lifetime journey. Enjoy it while it lasts.
3. Use help if needed. Like mentioned, it is one of the most competitive exams for a reason.
4. Pace yourself during the exam. Practice is the key
5. Finally, you have what it takes to get to your dream score. ALWAYS.... ALWAYS believe in that !!
You can reach out to me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/punith-subramani-06b3a2101. Check my profile, you'll know that I can help you out in many ways !!!
All the best for anyone reading this !!!!
I began my GMAT preparations in the second quarter of 2020. I had been working with a corporate for 3 years, and made a switch to a start up in Bangalore towards the end of 2019. So when Covid struck, I came back to my hometown, Ooty - Yes, that beautiful mountain place. Working from home, I realized that if I don't leverage the situation to my best, there's little chance that I'll give my exams later on. So I started my preparations using the Official Guides and watching the content at GMATCLUB.
A good friend of mine made a reference to GMAT EXAMS as the 300 spartans (Zack Snyder movie 300 - who doesn't know that right). There's not a lot but just enough to stop you. But with the right approach and the right strategy, you'll be able to overcome the hurdle (Guess it worked, both in the movie and in my preparations). GMAT is not a concept heavy exam. There are 3 concepts in Verbal and 2 in Quants (broadly speaking). As a matter of fact, it tests you on the subject that you already are familiar with. But the catch in my opinion is that it is a REASONING exam.
Using only the OG's I couldn't find the right approach. Neither was I confident when marking the answers. So the first mock I gave (Trial Mock from Experts Global), I scored a 470, having no idea what went right and what went wrong. It was then I realized that I needed help in my preparations.
The first and the only test prep that I used was e-GMAT. The courses were so comprehensive and addressed every need of mine that I didn't look any further. The entire experience was also recorded in my success story interview.
But the thing that lacked in my preparation was having an effective strategy. As Covid held me captive in my home, work also started to pile on. I started having 12+work hours and preparing for GMAT went for a toss. I was irregular in my schedule and probably took the exam for granted, because now I had the conceptual knowledge (I know right
).Even though I gave in time and energy for my preparations, I couldn't cross the 600 mark. I guess the most difficult thing is when you put the time and work but you don't get the results needed.
I was watching various success stories to keep me going. Few videos helped. But few other videos made me furious (especially the ones where a person says he scored a 700+ in one month). Here I was, 6 months deep into the preparations and yet I couldn't cross 600.
Things changed when I realized that my approach was my mistake. For instance, when I started my preparations using e-GMAT, I started off with SC. Once familiar with the concepts, I started giving tests to cement my knowledge. This approach took me 2 weeks to finish SC. Once done, I left the SC course and jumped to CR. CR took another 2 weeks, using the same approach. The mistake here was I left SC completely during this period. Once done with CR, I started RC, which again took another 2 weeks. By this time, it had already become 4 weeks since I solved a SC question, 2 weeks since I solved a CR. The right analogy here would be you going to a gym and picking weights. If you leave it for 4 weeks, you are probably back to square one.
I gave my first GMAT attempt on Jan 6, 2021 (in a exam centre).I scored a 640 (V34, Q44), a score that I couldn't accept. A lot went into the 8 month preparations, from my inefficient GMAT approach to work and personal life turmoil. But I was determined to give the exam another shot, for I believed that I could do a lot better.
This time I reached out to the experts at e-GMAT, asking for help. They replied me with an effective strategy that could help me reach my goal of scoring 760.
The approach was that I finish a concept module, lets say SC and give questions to cement my understanding on SC. Then once I move over to CR, include SC questions while giving the CR test too. Then once I move to RC, include both SC and CR in the practice tests. The same with Quants. Such an effective strategy it was. But the problem here was that I had already exhausted the question bank. Yes, over 4000 questions and 5 mock tests, all exhausted. The strategy was very effective but the practice to keep the knowledge intact was gone.
Balancing work and exam preps were always a challenge, but I started enjoying the challenge. I also started enjoying the knowledge I gained from the GMAT journey. Things were going very well. I scored a 730 on my official mocks and I decided to give my exam on August 30. Boom !!!!!! I scored a 610 (V28, Q46).
That was one of the most bitter moments I had in my life. More than a year of preparations only to score a 610. Self doubt started to creep in. What if I am not that smart? Why was the score so low? What if I cannot score more than this? What if the GMAT is not for me?
But if there's one thing that I know about myself is that I never give up. Its easier said than done, but I knew for a fact that I needed this for myself.
Picking myself up was probably the most difficult thing I did in a long time, but I wanted to. I really wanted to.
So I went back to the drawing room again. Mapped out the mistakes I did last time. I had the conceptual knowledge. I had the right mindset needed. I was confident. But the practice was a flaw. So I started practicing the questions, both Quants and Verbal. Experts Globals'15 test pack was of a great help. I also used GMATCLUB's forum quiz. I realized that practicing the questions now were a lot different than me practicing the e-GMAT questions a year back, because now I entirely knew what I was doing.
I started getting 700+ questions right for most of the time (around 80%). So I decided to give my exam again this time (Third time's the charm right).
I was scoring above 700 consistently in my mock exams. My score range was 720 to 770, 740 now being my mean score. I knew this time around I can score high.
During the day of my exam , October 30, I felt a little anxious, something that I never felt before. I wanted to make sure that I score my absolutely best. So I became extra cautious. Since I finished my mock exams with some time left over, I thought I could take the liberty to spend some extra time. I guess that didn't do me any good. Ended up having 5 Quant questions to solve in the last 2 minutes. I also messed up the last RC question in Verbal.
After finishing IR and AWA, the score was loading and my heart was in my mouth. When the score read 720 (Q49, V40, IR 5 and AWA 4), I was happy, but I wasn't too excited. Do I have what it takes to score 99 percentiles- ABSOLUTELY YES. But do I have the resources to give the exam and risk round 2 intake. NO.
I convinced myself that a 720 would work, for I do have a profile to complement the score. But still, a 760 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's next for me, it could be anything... Colleges... Work.... GMAT again ??? You never know !!!
So to sum it up, any person who's preparing for your GMAT, please remember these:
1. An effective strategy can save you months, if not years, in preparation.
2. GMAT is a once in a lifetime journey. Enjoy it while it lasts.
3. Use help if needed. Like mentioned, it is one of the most competitive exams for a reason.
4. Pace yourself during the exam. Practice is the key
5. Finally, you have what it takes to get to your dream score. ALWAYS.... ALWAYS believe in that !!
You can reach out to me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/punith-subramani-06b3a2101. Check my profile, you'll know that I can help you out in many ways !!!
All the best for anyone reading this !!!!
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