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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.
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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.
Kirtankirtan
Joined: 26 Apr 2025
Last visit: 05 Feb 2026
Posts: 5
Given Kudos: 1
Location: India
Schools: IESE '26 ISB '26 (S) IMD'26 HEC Sept '26
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q88 V82 DI86 
GPA: 8.35
Products:
Updated on: 20 Dec 2025, 00:59
Originally posted by Kirtankirtan on 19 Dec 2025, 19:40.
Last edited by Kirtankirtan on 20 Dec 2025, 00:59, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by Kirtankirtan on 20 Dec 2025, 00:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Hey everyone,
I'm Kiran, and I just scored a 715 (99th percentile) on my first GMAT attempt – Q88, V82, DI86. Honestly? I was expecting somewhere around 675 when I walked out of the test center. My Quant went really well, but Verbal had me shaken, and I was sure about DI. So when that 715 appeared on the screen, I was pretty overwhelmed.
Let me back up and tell you how I got here, because the journey was all about working smart with limited time.
WHY GMAT, WHY NOW
I've been working in the public sector for the last five years, and once I completed that fifth year, I thought – this is the right point to take a career progression or maybe even a diversion. I wanted to explore my options, and an MBA seemed like it would open more doors.
Here's the thing though – I don't have much of a network outside work. So I started reaching out to people on LinkedIn, talking to folks who were currently studying at some prestigious colleges. Through those conversations, I figured out which schools I was interested in, and obviously, GMAT was the only way to get there.
By around September 2025, I had decided to give the GMAT. The timeline was tight – just two months of prep while working pretty long hours. So everything had to be strategic and efficient.
THE STARTING POINT: DIAGNOSTIC MOCK (605)
First thing I wanted to know was where I stood. I gave an official mock test without any preparation just to understand the level of difficulty I was going to face.
Diagnostic Score: 605
I looked at the competitive scores for the colleges I was aiming for – somewhere around 675 to 700 seemed like a decent range. I thought that was achievable within two months.
THE PERSONALIZED STUDY PLAN
Once I enrolled in e-GMAT, the first thing that helped me was the Personalized Study Plan. This was really the game-changer for me.
Here's why the PSP was so crucial, especially for someone working long hours:
Structure when you need it most: Even if I couldn't study on a particular day, I could just adjust the study plan. The platform would automatically recalculate everything. I didn't have to sit in front of my laptop wondering "what should I study today?" The structure was already there – I could straightaway get into the work and put in the time to improve my score.
Targeted focus: The PSP identified where my gaps were based on my diagnostic and created a customized learning path. It knew I was strong in Quant, weak in CR, and struggling with DI timing. The plan allocated time accordingly.
Realistic time tracking: It showed me how much time I was actually investing versus what I'd committed to. When you're working long hours and weekends, every hour counts. This accountability kept me on track.
For anyone with time constraints or other commitments, I really recommend taking a e-GMAT course. Even though you might be quite good at certain topics, the course provides structure that helps you focus on what actually needs work.
VERBAL: BUILDING CR FROM SCRATCH
I was okay at Reading Comprehension – that wasn't my issue. But CR? CR was something which was very dreadful for me. I'd never tackled that kind of material in any other examination I'd given before. I definitely needed guidance there.
The Method That Changed Everything
Before e-GMAT: There was no method to it. It was pure instinct. When you've been studying for a long time, you develop this gut feeling about answers. You read the question, look at five options, and pick something that "feels right." Sometimes it worked, mostly it didn't.
After learning the systematic approach: Everything changed. I understood how to actually tackle questions methodically:
The structured approach e-GMAT taught me – understanding question types, learning strategies, building confidence in answer choices – that's what took me from struggling with CR to being comfortable.
DATA INSIGHTS: DI86
My DI journey was all about one thing: learning when to let go.
The Initial Problem
For me, the concepts were okay. I'm quite good at the basic core concepts. But timing was the major issue.
After giving 2-3 sectional mocks, I understood the pattern: there were 2-3 questions taking me nearly 5-6 minutes each. I was spending so much time on these difficult questions that they were impacting the last 5-6 questions because I wasn't able to manage my time properly.
The Tough Realization
It took 3-4 sectional mocks before I understood something crucial: I don't need to answer every single question.
Answering 20 out of 20 is not the target. Your aim should be to answer the questions you're able to do well. And it's okay – actually, it's strategic – to skip questions you're not able to crack.
This was a very difficult choice for me. I think most people who grew up in the Indian education system face this. We're taught to stick with one problem, spend time on it until we get it correct. But in GMAT, you cannot do that. You have to make tough calls.
My intention was always to attempt everything and give sufficient time for every question. That meant strategic skipping wasn't about giving up – it was about maximizing my score by playing to my strengths.
This shift in mindset – from "I must solve everything" to "I must solve what I can solve well" – took my DI from 63rd percentile to 99th percentile.
QUANT: AIMING FOR Q88+ WITH TARGETED PRACTICE
I was at Q82 in my diagnostic, but I was aiming for Q90. I knew Quant was my strong suit, and if I wanted an overall great score, I should aim for Q90, nothing less.
Using the Course Strategically
Even though I was already comfortable with Quant, I went through all the course files. Here's why:
Targeted weakness work: There were some topics I was awful at – probability and permutations were particularly challenging for me. I used to spend more time on those particular topics.
The PACE engine helped me customize this. It identified where I needed work and where I could skip ahead, saving me time on topics I'd already mastered. I saved close to 25+ total hours in the Quant prep.
Practice Strategy: Quality Over Quantity
My aim was always to learn something. I didn't want to do questions I was already comfortable with.
The Scholaranium Strategy:
SECTIONAL AND FULL-LENGTH MOCKS: BUILDING STAMINA AND STRATEGY
Experimenting with Section Order
I actually attempted the sections in different ways across my mocks:
Final decision: Quant → Verbal → DI
Why? I thought: what's the most comfortable section for me? Let me tackle that first. If I do well in Quant, that gives me confidence to approach the other sections. That's exactly what happened on test day – I finished Quant with 15 minutes left, was able to review thoroughly, and went into Verbal feeling calm.
My suggestion: Start with the thing you're very good at so you can build confidence and tackle the sections you're not as strong at.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking back, I'm glad I took a structured approach from the start. Two months was tight, but having the e-GMAT PSP meant every hour I studied was focused on what actually needed work.
The jump from 645 diagnostic to 715 final score wasn't about studying more hours – it was about studying smarter. Targeted practice on weak areas (CR and DI timing), strategic use of the PACE engine to skip topics I'd mastered, hard difficulty practice in Scholaranium, and building test-taking stamina through sectionals and mocks.
For everyone still preparing: be persistent, stay consistent with your plan, and trust the process. Even with limited time, strategic preparation can get you there.
Feel free to ask any questions about my prep, specific strategies, or anything about my journey!
Best,
Kiran
I'm Kiran, and I just scored a 715 (99th percentile) on my first GMAT attempt – Q88, V82, DI86. Honestly? I was expecting somewhere around 675 when I walked out of the test center. My Quant went really well, but Verbal had me shaken, and I was sure about DI. So when that 715 appeared on the screen, I was pretty overwhelmed.
Let me back up and tell you how I got here, because the journey was all about working smart with limited time.
WHY GMAT, WHY NOW
I've been working in the public sector for the last five years, and once I completed that fifth year, I thought – this is the right point to take a career progression or maybe even a diversion. I wanted to explore my options, and an MBA seemed like it would open more doors.
Here's the thing though – I don't have much of a network outside work. So I started reaching out to people on LinkedIn, talking to folks who were currently studying at some prestigious colleges. Through those conversations, I figured out which schools I was interested in, and obviously, GMAT was the only way to get there.
By around September 2025, I had decided to give the GMAT. The timeline was tight – just two months of prep while working pretty long hours. So everything had to be strategic and efficient.
THE STARTING POINT: DIAGNOSTIC MOCK (605)
First thing I wanted to know was where I stood. I gave an official mock test without any preparation just to understand the level of difficulty I was going to face.
Diagnostic Score: 605
I looked at the competitive scores for the colleges I was aiming for – somewhere around 675 to 700 seemed like a decent range. I thought that was achievable within two months.
THE PERSONALIZED STUDY PLAN
Once I enrolled in e-GMAT, the first thing that helped me was the Personalized Study Plan. This was really the game-changer for me.
Here's why the PSP was so crucial, especially for someone working long hours:
Structure when you need it most: Even if I couldn't study on a particular day, I could just adjust the study plan. The platform would automatically recalculate everything. I didn't have to sit in front of my laptop wondering "what should I study today?" The structure was already there – I could straightaway get into the work and put in the time to improve my score.
Targeted focus: The PSP identified where my gaps were based on my diagnostic and created a customized learning path. It knew I was strong in Quant, weak in CR, and struggling with DI timing. The plan allocated time accordingly.
Realistic time tracking: It showed me how much time I was actually investing versus what I'd committed to. When you're working long hours and weekends, every hour counts. This accountability kept me on track.
For anyone with time constraints or other commitments, I really recommend taking a e-GMAT course. Even though you might be quite good at certain topics, the course provides structure that helps you focus on what actually needs work.
VERBAL: BUILDING CR FROM SCRATCH
I was okay at Reading Comprehension – that wasn't my issue. But CR? CR was something which was very dreadful for me. I'd never tackled that kind of material in any other examination I'd given before. I definitely needed guidance there.
The Method That Changed Everything
Before e-GMAT: There was no method to it. It was pure instinct. When you've been studying for a long time, you develop this gut feeling about answers. You read the question, look at five options, and pick something that "feels right." Sometimes it worked, mostly it didn't.
After learning the systematic approach: Everything changed. I understood how to actually tackle questions methodically:
- The Elimination Process: It's not about picking the correct choice immediately – it's about eliminating wrong choices correctly. When you're eliminating a choice, you should be sure that it's wrong. You shouldn't be selecting anything out of pure luck.
- Confidence in Every Answer: You should be able to be confident about your answer. The difference between 70% accuracy and 85% accuracy isn't luck – it's systematic elimination.
The structured approach e-GMAT taught me – understanding question types, learning strategies, building confidence in answer choices – that's what took me from struggling with CR to being comfortable.
DATA INSIGHTS: DI86
My DI journey was all about one thing: learning when to let go.
The Initial Problem
For me, the concepts were okay. I'm quite good at the basic core concepts. But timing was the major issue.
After giving 2-3 sectional mocks, I understood the pattern: there were 2-3 questions taking me nearly 5-6 minutes each. I was spending so much time on these difficult questions that they were impacting the last 5-6 questions because I wasn't able to manage my time properly.
The Tough Realization
It took 3-4 sectional mocks before I understood something crucial: I don't need to answer every single question.
Answering 20 out of 20 is not the target. Your aim should be to answer the questions you're able to do well. And it's okay – actually, it's strategic – to skip questions you're not able to crack.
This was a very difficult choice for me. I think most people who grew up in the Indian education system face this. We're taught to stick with one problem, spend time on it until we get it correct. But in GMAT, you cannot do that. You have to make tough calls.
My intention was always to attempt everything and give sufficient time for every question. That meant strategic skipping wasn't about giving up – it was about maximizing my score by playing to my strengths.
This shift in mindset – from "I must solve everything" to "I must solve what I can solve well" – took my DI from 63rd percentile to 99th percentile.
QUANT: AIMING FOR Q88+ WITH TARGETED PRACTICE
I was at Q82 in my diagnostic, but I was aiming for Q90. I knew Quant was my strong suit, and if I wanted an overall great score, I should aim for Q90, nothing less.
Using the Course Strategically
Even though I was already comfortable with Quant, I went through all the course files. Here's why:
Targeted weakness work: There were some topics I was awful at – probability and permutations were particularly challenging for me. I used to spend more time on those particular topics.
The PACE engine helped me customize this. It identified where I needed work and where I could skip ahead, saving me time on topics I'd already mastered. I saved close to 25+ total hours in the Quant prep.
Practice Strategy: Quality Over Quantity
My aim was always to learn something. I didn't want to do questions I was already comfortable with.
The Scholaranium Strategy:
- Started with medium difficulty to build confidence
- Once comfortable with a topic, moved to hard level questions
- Focused heavily on hard difficulty because if you're aiming for Q85 or Q90, you're going to get at least 10-12 hard questions on the actual test
SECTIONAL AND FULL-LENGTH MOCKS: BUILDING STAMINA AND STRATEGY
Experimenting with Section Order
I actually attempted the sections in different ways across my mocks:
- One day: Quant, Verbal, DI
- Another day: DI, Quant, Verbal
- Tried different combinations
Final decision: Quant → Verbal → DI
Why? I thought: what's the most comfortable section for me? Let me tackle that first. If I do well in Quant, that gives me confidence to approach the other sections. That's exactly what happened on test day – I finished Quant with 15 minutes left, was able to review thoroughly, and went into Verbal feeling calm.
My suggestion: Start with the thing you're very good at so you can build confidence and tackle the sections you're not as strong at.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking back, I'm glad I took a structured approach from the start. Two months was tight, but having the e-GMAT PSP meant every hour I studied was focused on what actually needed work.
The jump from 645 diagnostic to 715 final score wasn't about studying more hours – it was about studying smarter. Targeted practice on weak areas (CR and DI timing), strategic use of the PACE engine to skip topics I'd mastered, hard difficulty practice in Scholaranium, and building test-taking stamina through sectionals and mocks.
For everyone still preparing: be persistent, stay consistent with your plan, and trust the process. Even with limited time, strategic preparation can get you there.
Feel free to ask any questions about my prep, specific strategies, or anything about my journey!
Best,
Kiran
Attachments
Kiran 715 score.jpg [ 35.25 KiB | Viewed 352 times ]
Kiran Quant scholaranium stats.png [ 53.61 KiB | Viewed 351 times ]
20 Dec 2025, 00:13
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Congratulations Kiran on your phenomenal 715 (99th percentile) score! 🎯
What an inspiring journey – going from a 605 diagnostic to 715 on your first attempt, all while working full-time in the public sector! This is a testament to what strategic preparation can achieve, even with limited time.
A few things that really stood out:
The mindset shift in DI – Your realization that "I don't need to answer every single question" is something many test-takers struggle with, especially those from the Indian education system where we're conditioned to solve everything. Embracing strategic skipping moved your DI from 63rd to 99th percentile – that's remarkable!
Building CR from scratch – Many students underestimate how different Critical Reasoning is from anything they've encountered before. Your disciplined approach of starting from step one, practicing the elimination process methodically, and building confidence in every answer is exactly how mastery is built.
Leveraging the PSP and PACE engine – We're thrilled that the Personalized Study Plan helped you maximize your limited prep time. The ability to automatically recalculate your study path and identify exactly where you needed work (CR and DI timing) while saving 25+ hours on topics you'd already mastered – that's the efficiency working professionals need.
Your strategic section ordering advice (starting with your strongest section to build confidence) is golden advice for test-takers!
Wishing you all the best with your applications to IESE, ISB, and IMD. With this score and your professional experience, you're in a strong position!
Best,
e-GMAT Team
What an inspiring journey – going from a 605 diagnostic to 715 on your first attempt, all while working full-time in the public sector! This is a testament to what strategic preparation can achieve, even with limited time.
A few things that really stood out:
The mindset shift in DI – Your realization that "I don't need to answer every single question" is something many test-takers struggle with, especially those from the Indian education system where we're conditioned to solve everything. Embracing strategic skipping moved your DI from 63rd to 99th percentile – that's remarkable!
Building CR from scratch – Many students underestimate how different Critical Reasoning is from anything they've encountered before. Your disciplined approach of starting from step one, practicing the elimination process methodically, and building confidence in every answer is exactly how mastery is built.
Leveraging the PSP and PACE engine – We're thrilled that the Personalized Study Plan helped you maximize your limited prep time. The ability to automatically recalculate your study path and identify exactly where you needed work (CR and DI timing) while saving 25+ hours on topics you'd already mastered – that's the efficiency working professionals need.
Your strategic section ordering advice (starting with your strongest section to build confidence) is golden advice for test-takers!
Wishing you all the best with your applications to IESE, ISB, and IMD. With this score and your professional experience, you're in a strong position!
Best,
e-GMAT Team
