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Apr 2301:30 AM EDT
-02:30 AM EDT
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 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 2308:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Video explanations + diagnosis of 10 weakest areas + 150+ short videos + study plan!
Apr 2610:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
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
-12:00 PM EDT
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
-11:00 AM PDT
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.
20 Jan 2026, 12:57
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I wanted to share my GMAT journey because it took me about a year of steady, sustainable work rather than a high-stress sprint. I managed to go from a 595 on my first mock to a 735 on the actual exam while having a full-time corporate job.
For those who prefer a video version, I recently did a deep-dive interview with Charles from GMAT Ninja where we went into the weeds on my strategy and mindset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGsoKJbXN0
My Background and Starting Point
I have been in healthcare for about five years and realized an MBA (targeting INSEAD/LBS) was the right next step for my career. I started with a cold mock from the LBS website and got a 595. I decided to view it as a baseline rather than a failure.
The Philosophy: It is a Game, Not a Chore
The biggest shift for me was my mindset. I am a firm believer that if you don't enjoy the process, you won't perform at your best. I started treating the GMAT like a puzzle or a game of chess. I didn't set a hard deadline at the start because I didn't want the "time pressure" to kill my curiosity.
I studied roughly 1 to 1.5 hours a day. This allowed me to stay consistent without burning out or sacrificing my performance at work.
Resources Used
I kept my spending to a minimum and focused on high-quality logic:
Verbal
Since I read a lot for work, I had a decent foundation, but I had to learn to ignore "real world" knowledge. I learned to stick strictly to what was on the page. It’s about finding the one answer that is objectively better than the others, even if they all feel a bit "meh."
Quant
I enjoyed the math, but I had to refresh my memory on properties and number theory. My approach was to drill the "hard" questions (705-805+ level) on GMAT Club. My logic was that if I could solve the hardest puzzles, the medium ones would become automatic.
Data Insights
This was the most "game-like" section for me. The graphs are often intentionally confusing. I followed the advice to "embrace the ambiguity." I realized that if a question felt weird, it was probably designed that way, and staying calm was 50% of the battle.
The Final Stretch
I took all 12 official mocks (including resets). Seeing my mock scores climb from 695 to 725 and eventually 745 gave me the confidence I needed. On test day, I stayed calm, and I stopped doing any GMAT practice 2 days before taking the test.
My Advice to You
Don't anchor yourself to a score too early. Learn how the game is played first. If you can find a way to enjoy the logic puzzles, the 700+ score will follow.
Good luck to everyone still in the trenches!
For those who prefer a video version, I recently did a deep-dive interview with Charles from GMAT Ninja where we went into the weeds on my strategy and mindset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUGsoKJbXN0
My Background and Starting Point
I have been in healthcare for about five years and realized an MBA (targeting INSEAD/LBS) was the right next step for my career. I started with a cold mock from the LBS website and got a 595. I decided to view it as a baseline rather than a failure.
The Philosophy: It is a Game, Not a Chore
The biggest shift for me was my mindset. I am a firm believer that if you don't enjoy the process, you won't perform at your best. I started treating the GMAT like a puzzle or a game of chess. I didn't set a hard deadline at the start because I didn't want the "time pressure" to kill my curiosity.
I studied roughly 1 to 1.5 hours a day. This allowed me to stay consistent without burning out or sacrificing my performance at work.
Resources Used
I kept my spending to a minimum and focused on high-quality logic:
- Official Guides (Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights).
- GMAT Club: My go-to for every question explanation. If the OG explanation felt too "mathy" or confusing, I’d search the question here and look for GMAT Ninja's logic.
- GMAT Ninja Videos: These were essential for the Verbal and DI sections.
Verbal
Since I read a lot for work, I had a decent foundation, but I had to learn to ignore "real world" knowledge. I learned to stick strictly to what was on the page. It’s about finding the one answer that is objectively better than the others, even if they all feel a bit "meh."
Quant
I enjoyed the math, but I had to refresh my memory on properties and number theory. My approach was to drill the "hard" questions (705-805+ level) on GMAT Club. My logic was that if I could solve the hardest puzzles, the medium ones would become automatic.
Data Insights
This was the most "game-like" section for me. The graphs are often intentionally confusing. I followed the advice to "embrace the ambiguity." I realized that if a question felt weird, it was probably designed that way, and staying calm was 50% of the battle.
The Final Stretch
I took all 12 official mocks (including resets). Seeing my mock scores climb from 695 to 725 and eventually 745 gave me the confidence I needed. On test day, I stayed calm, and I stopped doing any GMAT practice 2 days before taking the test.
My Advice to You
Don't anchor yourself to a score too early. Learn how the game is played first. If you can find a way to enjoy the logic puzzles, the 700+ score will follow.
Good luck to everyone still in the trenches!
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