Events & Promotions
|
|
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
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
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.
Apr 2912:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Learn how Kamakshi achieved a GMAT 675 with an impressive 96th %ile in Data Insights. Discover the unique methods and exam strategies that helped her excel in DI along with other sections for a balanced and high score.
Apr 3001:30 AM EDT
-02:30 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.
May 0111:00 AM PDT
-12:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
May 0306:30 AM PDT
-08:30 AM PDT
Verbal trouble on GMAT? Fix it NOW! Join Sunita Singhvi for a focused webinar on actionable strategies to boost your Verbal score and take your performance to the next level.
chains1910
Joined: 28 May 2012
Last visit: 09 Jan 2018
Posts: 130
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 1: 710 Q43 V45
GMAT 2: 700 Q42 V42
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
GPA: 3.51
WE:Marketing (Consulting)
Products:
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
Posts: 130
03 Jan 2013, 21:26
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi all,
GMAT club was a great resource for me throughout my GMAT experience, so I want to share my long road to a great score with you all. I generally scored high on standardized tests growing up, and I worked as an SAT/ACT tutor in college, so I had a strong understanding of general test taking strategies coming in. Given that, I went for an economical approach to prep, and bought Magoosh and the MGMAT CAT package about 6 weeks before my first test date (8/20/12). I studied on average 2-3 nights a week for an hour or so after work, then each weekend took a CAT. I felt great going in, and was scoring in the 740 range on MGMAT CATs, but basically bombed the math section and got a 710 (Q43/V45). My math percentile was only 61, so I decided to retake it with more comprehensive prep. I wrote a review on Magoosh you can see for my opinions on the course, its a decent economy option or supplement, but it's hardly comprehensive.
I took a week off, then spent about $1,000 on Kaplan GMAT On-Demand and a few hours of private tutoring, had a similar study schedule with two sessions with a private tutor peppered in, but didn't take as many practice tests, and went in on my next test date (9/29/2012). Maybe it was that I switched testing centers, maybe it was that I didn't study the night before, or maybe it was the fewer practice CATs, but for whatever reason, my scores went down and I earned a 700 (Q42/V42). Knowing that this wouldn't cut it for my target schools (Ivy League, Kellogg, etc.), especially given my lack of name-brand work experience, I scheduled another test for mid-November. (Silver lining, I was eligible for the Kaplan guarantee for full refund, but only on the on-demand course, not the tutoring hours).
I took a few weeks off, and got back on the grind, but again felt that I didn't have enough time for CATs. I then had a unfortunate run of personal problems, and ended up having to reschedule my test within a week of the date, forfeiting the registration cost. My plan to be done with the GMAT before R1 was obviously shot, and I was now set to take finally take it again on 12/27, after two of my R2 deadlines. Regardless i hunkered down, and worked through the entire math section of Kaplan On-Demand, as well as all supplementary math info and did at least 20 practice questions per night. Just for added stress, my job hit a boiling point and I ended up resigning the night before the GMAT. None the less, on my last GMAT Prep practice test before the exam i scored a 730, so I walked in just thinking whatever happens, happens. The math seemed difficult, which is a good thing, and I was honestly shocked when I saw the 760. Final tally was Q48 (78%)/V48(99%) and 99% overall. Don't have my AWA or IR yet, but I got a 6 and 8 on each of the first two attempts.
All in all the best advice I can give is to just put in the work. Study, study, study. Get a program that will give you some testing tips, but in the end just learn all the material you need to know and really get after studying. I have always thought of myself as a natural test taker and I had to really bust my butt to get this score, so it's no easy test, but in the end you can make it happen.
GMAT club was a great resource for me throughout my GMAT experience, so I want to share my long road to a great score with you all. I generally scored high on standardized tests growing up, and I worked as an SAT/ACT tutor in college, so I had a strong understanding of general test taking strategies coming in. Given that, I went for an economical approach to prep, and bought Magoosh and the MGMAT CAT package about 6 weeks before my first test date (8/20/12). I studied on average 2-3 nights a week for an hour or so after work, then each weekend took a CAT. I felt great going in, and was scoring in the 740 range on MGMAT CATs, but basically bombed the math section and got a 710 (Q43/V45). My math percentile was only 61, so I decided to retake it with more comprehensive prep. I wrote a review on Magoosh you can see for my opinions on the course, its a decent economy option or supplement, but it's hardly comprehensive.
I took a week off, then spent about $1,000 on Kaplan GMAT On-Demand and a few hours of private tutoring, had a similar study schedule with two sessions with a private tutor peppered in, but didn't take as many practice tests, and went in on my next test date (9/29/2012). Maybe it was that I switched testing centers, maybe it was that I didn't study the night before, or maybe it was the fewer practice CATs, but for whatever reason, my scores went down and I earned a 700 (Q42/V42). Knowing that this wouldn't cut it for my target schools (Ivy League, Kellogg, etc.), especially given my lack of name-brand work experience, I scheduled another test for mid-November. (Silver lining, I was eligible for the Kaplan guarantee for full refund, but only on the on-demand course, not the tutoring hours).
I took a few weeks off, and got back on the grind, but again felt that I didn't have enough time for CATs. I then had a unfortunate run of personal problems, and ended up having to reschedule my test within a week of the date, forfeiting the registration cost. My plan to be done with the GMAT before R1 was obviously shot, and I was now set to take finally take it again on 12/27, after two of my R2 deadlines. Regardless i hunkered down, and worked through the entire math section of Kaplan On-Demand, as well as all supplementary math info and did at least 20 practice questions per night. Just for added stress, my job hit a boiling point and I ended up resigning the night before the GMAT. None the less, on my last GMAT Prep practice test before the exam i scored a 730, so I walked in just thinking whatever happens, happens. The math seemed difficult, which is a good thing, and I was honestly shocked when I saw the 760. Final tally was Q48 (78%)/V48(99%) and 99% overall. Don't have my AWA or IR yet, but I got a 6 and 8 on each of the first two attempts.
All in all the best advice I can give is to just put in the work. Study, study, study. Get a program that will give you some testing tips, but in the end just learn all the material you need to know and really get after studying. I have always thought of myself as a natural test taker and I had to really bust my butt to get this score, so it's no easy test, but in the end you can make it happen.
04 Jan 2013, 02:28
Kudos
Bookmarks
congrats on the great score. .
How many lengthy RCs you got in the exam?
Heard that 3 would be small and 1 would be lengthy..
Regards,
Sach
How many lengthy RCs you got in the exam?
Heard that 3 would be small and 1 would be lengthy..
Regards,
Sach
chains1910
Joined: 28 May 2012
Last visit: 09 Jan 2018
Posts: 130
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 1: 710 Q43 V45
GMAT 2: 700 Q42 V42
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
GPA: 3.51
WE:Marketing (Consulting)
Products:
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
Posts: 130
08 Jan 2013, 16:31
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hey guys. As far as the RC passages, I didn't keep close track throughout, but 3 shorter and 1 longer seems about right.
As far as verbal tips, there are a few key things:
First, I would just make sure you have a firm grasp on the key grammar principles. I was at a bit of an advantage as I have worked in the test prep industry as an SAT/ACT instructor and as a copywriter for an ad agency, so grammar has been an integral part of my career. Nonetheless, the basic grammar principles are essentially the same on almost any standardized test, so if you feel the GMAT prep materials you are using aren't getting the point across, try using some SAT or ACT stuff that focuses on grammar, since the basic principles tested overlap so much (i.e various types of agreement, pronoun case, etc.). Like I said above, I wasn't a huge fan of Magoosh as a primary prep tool, but for targeted video lessons in which you know the specific areas you need to study, it can be a valuable repository of info.
For the critical reasoning, try to remember that the answer choice needs to address the specific elements of the situation that the question addresses, not logical extensions of that situation. For instance if the question has a statement from a city councilman about how widening a freeway will decrease traffic times long-term and the question asks for a statement to undermine the argument, an answer choice that says "traffic times will increase short-term" logically makes sense, but doesn't address the long-term times to which the question is referring. I always found it helpful to think this way and try to work backwards to identify and eliminate answer choices that make sense, but address the wrong aspect of the situation.
Hope these tips are helpful, and in the end the best advice I can give is just to put in the work and study. Make sure you take full-length practice tests to build mental stamina and just practice, practice, practice until you are comfortable with your knowledge. I knew I could do better than my first two tries, but it took effort to get the score I ultimately wanted.
As far as verbal tips, there are a few key things:
First, I would just make sure you have a firm grasp on the key grammar principles. I was at a bit of an advantage as I have worked in the test prep industry as an SAT/ACT instructor and as a copywriter for an ad agency, so grammar has been an integral part of my career. Nonetheless, the basic grammar principles are essentially the same on almost any standardized test, so if you feel the GMAT prep materials you are using aren't getting the point across, try using some SAT or ACT stuff that focuses on grammar, since the basic principles tested overlap so much (i.e various types of agreement, pronoun case, etc.). Like I said above, I wasn't a huge fan of Magoosh as a primary prep tool, but for targeted video lessons in which you know the specific areas you need to study, it can be a valuable repository of info.
For the critical reasoning, try to remember that the answer choice needs to address the specific elements of the situation that the question addresses, not logical extensions of that situation. For instance if the question has a statement from a city councilman about how widening a freeway will decrease traffic times long-term and the question asks for a statement to undermine the argument, an answer choice that says "traffic times will increase short-term" logically makes sense, but doesn't address the long-term times to which the question is referring. I always found it helpful to think this way and try to work backwards to identify and eliminate answer choices that make sense, but address the wrong aspect of the situation.
Hope these tips are helpful, and in the end the best advice I can give is just to put in the work and study. Make sure you take full-length practice tests to build mental stamina and just practice, practice, practice until you are comfortable with your knowledge. I knew I could do better than my first two tries, but it took effort to get the score I ultimately wanted.
