Let me first introduce myself. I am a 29 year old French girl (ok, woman ). I graduated 8 years ago, I am not en engineer or some type of math genius and English is obviously not my native language. So if I could do it, YOU CAN TOO!!! So now, a bit about my GMAT journey. Today, at 1PM Paris time, I pressed the "get your score" button, waited for what seemed like an eternity and finally got my score: 730 (M:46, 79%; V:44, 97%). I literally started crying. I could not believe it. Five months of hard studying finally paid off... and just 7 weeks ago, I had scored a 620 (M:40, 61% and V:40, 75%) Now the reason I decided to write this tonight is because a few months ago, I thought this would be impossible. I spent so many nights stressing out and thinking "I will never make it". Very few people understood what I was going through, making the process even more difficult. So today, I want to reach out to those of you who think they can't make it. Trust me, if I could, so can YOU!! I started studying at the end of January. My situation seemed desperate. I didn’t even remember how to set up a division and had forgotten my multiplication tables! I took a course at the MBA Center in Paris three times a week. The courses were helpful in that they kept me motivated and allowed me to interact with other students. But I honestly don’t think you learn more in a course than you do on your own. This is how I reached my goal: Amount of study time : For the last five months, I studied 2 hours a day after work and about 6 hours a day on weekends. After a month and a half of studying the basics, I did one full test every Sunday. I also kept a little notebook where I wrote down tricks and formulas (or formulae ). I read my little book every day on the metro and used it during my first exams. Eventually, you will know everything. There is no secret, if you are not a genius (and that’s just fine!! ), the only way to get a good score is to study, study, study, practice, practice, practice!!!! Material used : Due to my disastrous level in math, I started off with Cliffs Math Review for Standardized Test. This is great for beginners. It reviews all the concepts in depth and gives you loads of easy exercises to improve on the basics. I then used the Official Guide and the Math official guide. One cannot stress enough the importance of these books. Do every single exercise. If you answer a question wrong or it took you more than 2 minutes to solve, circle the question and redo it later. Redo all the questions you got wrong or took too long to solve until you can do them all in less than a minute and a half. I also used the Kaplan and Kaplan 800 books as well as the MBA center book. All were great for extra practice, but none can replace the OG. I also did a lot of online tests: GMATPrep: use them!!! And not just once each!! I did each four times. And even though I did see a few questions twice on the verbal, I rarely saw the same question twice in math. These tests are as close as you can get to the actual GMAT. They’re free and they are the best tests out there. 800score: the math is harder than on the GMAT but good practice. The verbal is too easy. But the main point of practicing exams is to learn to time yourself. You have to reach a point where you almost don’t need to check the time. You have this “internal clock” and after a while, you just know when you are spending too much time on a question. Mgmat: again, great practice, but a lot of their exercises are just too time-consuming to be on the real test. Crack the GMAT : very good math and verbal, although a bit more difficult than the real thing. I found their study package ($30) VERY helpful for the math. They go through each topic in detail with mini-tests on each section. This allows you to improve where you need it most. Kaplan: good practice, although their scoring can get you down (trust me!) Bottom line is you need to practice testing to improve your timing and increase your stamina. DO NOT pay too much attention to your scores on non-GMAC tests (I was scoring around 610 on most of these tests). Only the GMATPrep will give you a good idea of what you can score on the actual GMAT. Tips: 1. Know the basics!!! I read a lot about how the GMAT was getting harder and how probabilities were now very popular. Well, this isn’t true! I only got two probability questions and they were very easy. Most questions were actually “simple”: basic arithmetic, exponents, geometry, averages, etc… this is why the OG is crucial!! You need to own it!! Most questions are actually very similar to the OG questions!! 2. Know your shortcuts: you will need to memorize formulas, some basic Pythagorean numbers, squares, prime numbers, tricks, idioms, etc. I found my little “cheat-notebook” essential! 3. Know your weaknesses! When you see a question you are unlikely to answer correctly and are going to waste 5 minutes trying to figure out, make an educated guess. Look at the question and think “logically, what makes sense?”. You will normally be able to eliminate 2 or 3 answer choices. Then cross your fingers and pick one! I know this seems crazy, but I honestly think that knowing when to cut your losses is essential (at least to us “normal” people ) 4. Manage your time . By practicing, you should come to a point where you just know that your two minutes are up… hurry up or if you are unable to answer, make an educated guess. I only looked at the clock about 5 times during each part. To make sure I was on time, I checked that after 55 minutes I was at question 10; 35 minutes, question 20; 15 minutes, question 30. 5. Master sentence correction ! Know your idioms and the basics (modifiers, parallelism, tense). Not only will this improve your sentence correction (obviously!) but this will also improve your RC!!!!! RC was my weakness and I have found the solution!!!!! I now realize that I was wasting too much time on SC and was thus left with too little time to do RC. Today, I managed to answer every SC in less than 30 seconds (and that’s just from practicing in the last month!). As a result I was left with ample time to answer the RC. I did not have to skim, or read the first sentence of every paragraph or use any of the many other techniques I read about. I had time!! Time to read the passage “slowly” and reread the sentences which were unclear. This meant that for the first time, I could actually start answering the questions, having understood the whole passage! I just understood the text and even remembered details about it!! And this is the key to successfully answering the questions. So, to ace RC, master SC!!!! This is the best tip you’ll ever get (and I scored 97% on verbal!! ) 6. Read up!!! Another great way to improve your RC is to read newspapers in English. I read the Economist every week, and this truly helped. Their articles address issues very similar to those you might find in RC, which helps you with comprehension and vocabulary. 7. Practice, practice, practice!!! 8. Rest ! Make sure you get enough rest before the test (I slept 10 hours last night!! ) and get to the exam center early. No need to add extra stress! 9. During the test, keep believing in yourself even if you feel you are not doing well. I thought I was screwing up so bad, I felt like leaving 10 minutes within the math section (thank god I didn’t!). Realize that it is nearly impossible to gauge how well you are doing during the test. Focus and keep doing your best until the very last question!! 10. I might get criticized for this, but here it goes!! Realize that there is an element of luck to the GMAT. Nearly a fourth of the questions are not actually marked, so if you are lucky, the questions you answer wrong are not impacting your score! I’m sure that to a certain extent, I was lucky today. So don’t give up!!! You could be lucky too!! OK, that was long… I’m going to bed…. hope I didn’t bore you and that you feel like you can make it too. Because, trust me, if I could, YOU CAN TOO!!!! All the best!! Virflo PS: my only regret is to not have participated more to the forums here. But I read what you guys posted. And it did help. so, last - but not least! - thank you

Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 08:32

It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 08:32

Toolkit

Share GMAT Experience

GMAT Club Daily Prep

Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Go to My Error Log Learn more

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel

Apr 26
GMAT 705 in 30 days: Best Study Strategy for Working Professionals
01:30 AM EDT
-
02:30 AM EDT
Learn how Keshav, a Chartered Accountant, scored an impressive 705 on GMAT in just 30 days with GMATWhiz's expert guidance. In this video, he shares preparation tips and strategies that worked for him, including the mock, time management, and more.
Apr 25
From ‘GMAT Is Not for Me’ to a 695— Beating Her Target by 50 Points
12:30 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 26
Score High on the GMAT with Target Test Prep
10:00 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 27
Try OnDemand GMAT Masterclass
11:00 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 28
Join - GMAT Day!
08:00 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.
May 01
Start your free trial!
11:00 AM PDT
-
12:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!

Back to Forum

Create Topic

How an average girl went from 620 to 730! :) (this is long)

1 2 3

TimeSquareDesi

Joined: 25 Jul 2007

Last visit: 07 Feb 2011

Posts: 375

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 148

Location: Times Square

Schools:Baruch / Zicklin

Posts: 375

Kudos: 39

26 Jun 2008, 06:16

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congratulations :-D

Nitty

Joined: 25 Aug 2007

Last visit: 28 Jan 2009

Posts: 100

Own Kudos:

[1]

Location: NYC Baby!!!

Posts: 100

Kudos: 18

[1]

26 Jun 2008, 06:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

That's a great story! We always get the 700 club stories from the males (which is always appreciated

but as a woman, it's great to hear the inspiring stories from the women in the group because there are very few of us. As a non-traditional MBA perspective...this def. lets me know its possible. I have been studying 4 hrs Tues-Friday, and 6 hrs Sat & Sun, with Mondays to relax. I am really improving and aiming for 700's! My test date is July 26th! Pray for me lol :lol:

Virflo

Joined: 07 Apr 2008

Last visit: 16 Oct 2010

Posts: 75

Own Kudos:

Posts: 75

Kudos: 19

26 Jun 2008, 16:06

Kudos

Bookmarks

Nitty, I will be praying for you, but I don't think you need it! If you've been studying hard and believe in yourself, I have no doubt you will succeed!!! Anyone with a bit of determination can do it!!
All the best,
Virflo

wizardofwashington

Joined: 04 Sep 2007

Last visit: 03 Dec 2008

Posts: 122

Own Kudos:

106

Posts: 122

Kudos: 106

26 Jun 2008, 20:34

Kudos

Bookmarks

Bravo, Virflo! You post has some much needed advise for a lot of us test takers. Inspiring does not adequately describe the quality of your post! Thanks for sharing the useful prep tips.

bepositive

Joined: 13 Mar 2008

Last visit: 02 Oct 2008

Posts: 38

Own Kudos:

131

Posts: 38

Kudos: 131

27 Jun 2008, 07:36

Kudos

Bookmarks

Impressive!....way to go gal!!....

please discuss more about CR and RC part of the exam in little more details.....

thanks!
bepositive

greatchap

Joined: 14 May 2007

Last visit: 23 Aug 2018

Posts: 128

Own Kudos:

355

Given Kudos: 12

Location: India

Posts: 128

Kudos: 355

27 Jun 2008, 09:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

Fantastic post Virflo, I am also aiming for a high score. Your post is inspiring and helps in at times when I feel a bit lost.

Great work and good luck with your applications...

dfletch5

Joined: 27 Jun 2008

Last visit: 22 Jul 2015

Posts: 9

Kudos: 0

27 Jun 2008, 10:15

Kudos

Bookmarks

Thank you. This is great advice. I have the Official Guides. It is good to know that they are really so very helpful. I read the Economist too. Good luck. Where will you be applying?

dushver

Joined: 16 Aug 2004

Last visit: 15 Jun 2014

Posts: 190

Own Kudos:

Location: India

Posts: 190

Kudos: 52

28 Jun 2008, 02:55

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hey congrats, great score and full of inspiration. All the best for the apps!

lordw

Joined: 22 Jun 2008

Last visit: 13 Jul 2010

Posts: 69

Own Kudos:

347

Given Kudos: 1

Schools:Darden School of Business (Class of 2012)

Posts: 69

Kudos: 347

07 Jul 2008, 09:26

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi Virflo! Congrats!
Can you share some CR strategy ?
Many tks. !

700orbust

Joined: 03 Jun 2008

Last visit: 05 Sep 2008

Posts: 3

Own Kudos:

Posts: 3

Kudos: 3

09 Jul 2008, 20:19

Kudos

Bookmarks

Way to go!!! You are an inspiration.

AK79

Joined: 21 Aug 2006

Last visit: 31 Jul 2013

Posts: 38

Own Kudos:

Posts: 38

Kudos: 5

09 Jul 2008, 21:13

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congrats dear!

As others have said, a truly inspirational story. I am in somewhat of a similar scoring predicament (around 580-600) and need to be much higher. Not having a quant background myself either, I need to be more diligent on my practicing. Your experience is not only enlightening, but quite motivating! Best of luck in your apps, and thanks for sharing the wicked news... :lol:

Cheers

goalsnr

Joined: 03 Apr 2007

Last visit: 17 Oct 2012

Posts: 625

Own Kudos:

5,121

Given Kudos: 10

Products:

Posts: 625

Kudos: 5,121

24 Jul 2008, 12:10

Kudos

Bookmarks

Nitty

That's a great story! We always get the 700 club stories from the males (which is always appreciated

Nitty, I share your thoughts.

All the best for your exam.

goalsnr

Joined: 03 Apr 2007

Last visit: 17 Oct 2012

Posts: 625

Own Kudos:

5,121

Given Kudos: 10

Products:

Posts: 625

Kudos: 5,121

24 Jul 2008, 12:12

Kudos

Bookmarks

Virflo, COngratulations!!
I learnt a lot from your story.Thank you.

tnttijji

Joined: 07 Feb 2008

Last visit: 28 Aug 2018

Posts: 43

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 2

Posts: 43

Kudos: 2

30 Aug 2008, 00:33

Kudos

Bookmarks

Everytime ...Everytime...When the voices in my head tell me, it ain't worth it, the efforts are in vain and I couldn't make it...
I come back here to read such posts and the voices somehow disappear....

Yes, We Can!!!!

vbalex

Joined: 25 May 2008

Last visit: 19 Aug 2009

Posts: 92

Own Kudos:

Posts: 92

Kudos: 17

02 Sep 2008, 07:25

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congratulations. I'm in the same situation. I hade a 590 and i'm looking for 700. Your story gives me hope that is not impossible. Good advice form SC. Good luck.

lordw

Joined: 22 Jun 2008

Last visit: 13 Jul 2010

Posts: 69

Own Kudos:

347

Given Kudos: 1

Schools:Darden School of Business (Class of 2012)

Posts: 69

Kudos: 347

07 Oct 2008, 06:28

Kudos

Bookmarks

Hi Virflo:
Could you post a strategy for CR or a specific book or something that helped you to improve in that issue?
Many tks. in advance, Lw

klb15

Joined: 21 May 2008

Last visit: 15 Jun 2012

Posts: 64

Own Kudos:

Given Kudos: 4

Posts: 64

Kudos: 5

07 Oct 2008, 06:52

Kudos

Bookmarks

congrats!

gl for your apps!

kam

Joined: 24 Sep 2008

Last visit: 24 Sep 2008

Posts: 10

Own Kudos:

[1]

Posts: 10

Kudos: 54

[1]

09 Oct 2008, 03:02

Kudos

Bookmarks

Simply Superb

GODSPEED

Joined: 24 Sep 2008

Last visit: 06 Aug 2012

Posts: 126

Own Kudos:

1,239

Given Kudos: 7

Schools:MIT / INSEAD / IIM - ABC

GPA: 3.6

Posts: 126

Kudos: 1,239

09 Oct 2008, 05:06

Kudos

Bookmarks

Great....congratulations!
INSPIRATIIONAL

alive

Joined: 09 Oct 2008

Last visit: 11 Jul 2009

Posts: 12

Own Kudos:

Posts: 12

Kudos: 2

09 Oct 2008, 06:35

Kudos

Bookmarks

Congrats

1 2 3

Moderator:

Founder

43155 posts

Prep Toolkit

Announcements

GMAT Inequalities - The Concepts You Must Know

Subscribe to GMAT Club for New Videos on GMAT Strategies, Expert Sessions, and Debriefs

How to Build your Target MBA Business Schools List?

Subscribe to MBA Club for New Videos on Essays, School-specific Strategies, & Insights Every Applicant Needs

Get Free GMAT Tests by Registering for GMAT Day!

AGSM at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE

Top GMAT Focus Debriefs

An Emory MBA Powers Growth

Emory powers growth—professionally and personally. Built on a foundation of interdisciplinary learning, leadership development, and career readiness, our top-20 MBA program delivers a high return on investment with top-5 career outcomes.

Tuck at Dartmouth

Step Inside the Tuck Experience: Discover Tuck Events This Fall
Current Tuck MBA students and Discover Tuck co-chairs share advice for prospective students and reflect on why they chose Tuck for their MBA.

Read More

My Rewards

What are Rewards?

My Tier

(1 points)

HOT DEALS FOR APRIL

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

How an average girl went from 620 to 730! :) (this is long)

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards