End of my GMAT Journey!

Question

So here's the story.
It was Jan-Feb 2012. I decided that I gotto apply to TAS and that needed a GMAT score. But I was so busy with my work that I hardly got any time to go thru

the OG( I didn't know that the Holy Grail of GMAT is called the OG) that I got from my office library.

May: Work reduced. Started searching for GMAT coaching classes in Bangalore. Joined CrackVerbal only for Verbal. Didn't study much. Wasn't serious. Rather,

didn't know that GMAT would need serious dedication.

June: Went thru Jeff Sackmann's book. Again, wasn't serious.
Took a mock test from old gmatprep software.
Result: 560 Q 39, V 28
Was depressed.

July: Seriousness increased. Started going thru MGMAT Quant and solving OG Quant easy questions.
Took 2nd mock test from old gmatprep software.
Result: 570 Q 44, V25
Had forgotten all the rules in SC when I took the test.
Was shattered.

August: Badly bruised, joined another coaching class. Started solving Tough GMATPrep Quant Questions.

Took a Kaplan Free test. Scored 580.

Then took a MGMAT CAT1: 630 Q 40, V36
Realised I did a mistake solving GMAT PRep questions without having a firm foundation in Quant and I needed to fix my timing issues in Quant.

September: No study. Lot of work in office.

October: OG Quant. 20-40 Questions a day + MGMAT Strategy Guides

November: No Study. Lot of work in office

December: Quant review + Verbal review.

January: 1 month study leave.

GMAT Prep New software mock 1: 650 Q 47, 33
GMAT Prep New software mock 1: 640 Q 47, 31

GMAT 1: 31st Jan 2013 640 Q 43 V 34
Shattered. Q dropped by 4 points.

Redemmed kudos for GC tests.
taxed my brain; started realising that tough questions are within my reach; made a log; analysed my mistakes; saw a pattern of mistakes; fixed them.
A week before the exam :
MGMAT 5: 670 Q44 V37
MGMAT 6: 660 Q45 V35

GMAT 2 : 630 Q 47 V 29.

Encountered the weirdest SCs ever. SC Questions in OG/Verbal Review/GMAT PRep SC/Question Pack 1 are no longer representative of what you see on GMAT.
I am very strong in SC. I could solve 12/15 hard SC questions from PAck1 correctly but on the GMAT, SC questions were the weirdest bunch of questions I ever saw in my life.

I have learnt a lot of things in this journey. I used to think that I am weak in Quant; thought that I couldn't analyse well and couldn't solve tough Quant Questions.
But the last 1 and half months have been extremely satisfying. I practised with GMAT Club CATs and I realised that I am able to solve tough questions.
All that was required was a bit of thought process. I taxed my brain to respond and it did and I saw myself solving tough questions with ease. I analysed my mistakes by maintaining a log and by forming new habits to counter silly mistakes.

Bitten twice by GMAT ( Quant reduced in first attempt and Verbal in Second) , I guess there are other than GMAT, more things that I need to work on in my life as far as

applications is concerned. This for sure is a positive sign of a better future. Over the last 10 months, I have hardly done anything else in my free time

apart from studying for GMAT.

With a 640, I am gonna face a lot of competition when I apply to my target school. But I am flexible with my MBA plans and have ample time to work on my profile.

If I take GMAT again , I may get 660-680 or 620-650. You never know. But, I have no enthusiasm left after studying for 10 months. I am moving on and hopefully I make it to my target school 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 years from now.

I would like to thank Karishma Bansal ( VeritasPrepKarishma), Charles Bibilios(GMATNinja), Bunuel, jumsumtak, Souvik,Vercules, bb, carcass, Ron Purewal, Stacey Koprince, Sandeep Gupta and many others, names of whom I may have missed for all their help throughout this journey.

Was happy to see my name featured in last week's GC News Letter.

Thanks bb.

Thanks to Arun Jagannathan, CrackVerbal for all the information on the world of MBA and GMAT.

So, this is the end of my GMAT journey!!!

Thanks bb. Thanks to Arun Jagannathan, CrackVerbal for all the information on the world of MBA and GMAT. So, this is the end of my GMAT journey!!!

jumsumtak · Answer

Was looking forward to a successful debrief. I'm sorry that it did not go your way. But, it's not over till the fat lady sings and obviously GMAT is only one part of your application.

It is good to know that you have the heart to carry on and it seems that you've learnt a lot from the process - that is a win to me. Come June-July, you might want to give this another shot. But, I second your thoughts of keeping it on hold and giving your mind and body the rest you deserve. Take a break, spend some time out with friends and family and then start thinking about the application process. Anyhow, you have lots of time for fall deadlines.

good luck on your future endeavors and look forward to seeing you in the business school threads!

[edit]: just to add to the above, in your quest to have a decent score, you have contributed a lot to the community and we all genuinely appreciate the effort

nishant1006 · Answer

Sachin , bro !
you cant give up now dude...you have come too far to give it up and go for an avg MBA school. 700 is not that far..
read my brief , i appeared for GMAT on the 14th mar, there is a Lot of me that i can see in you.
see my mini brief n you will know what i am takin abt:

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks for the kind words mate! I am in no hurry to get an MBA. I won't stop until I make it to my target school! A 640 puts me in danger zone but with the efforts that I am going to put on my profile , I am sure I will make it there.

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks Nishant! I am too tired now to take it again! I have done nothing in my life in the last 10 months other than my work and GMAT! I am a highly active guy and I had sacrificed everything else. I am gonna life ma life now! I may think of taking it again in the future but for now, I am done! I won't join an average school! I am gonna work on my profile! I have a lot of time to work on it as I am in no hurry to get an MBA! Happy that you scored a 690! It ain't less!

Good luck with your applications!

AbhiJ · Answer

Its good that you are taking a break. Would suggest you to develop a hobby of reading a book in 2 weeks, So suppose you plan to give GMAT after 1 year. You would have read 26 books. This alone would improve your reading speed. This is secret of people who score in 750+ range.

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks a lot Abhi! This is an amazing piece of advice!

fozzzy · Answer

I agree I think there is a new trend in the SC questions not sure what's up?

Archit143 · Answer

I would say its kkkk...I have seen 100's of profile with 640 getting into top mba progs....
Moreover, with gmat you need to just place yourself 80% score bracket of the class....Apart from top 10 r may be top 15 ...you will be able to place yourself in that bracket. I would say there are gmat gurus scored 7tonsssss but did not make to top schools......I m talkn of this fall admission....Getgyan 720 accepted in Suchillich and Neeley....dinged from top schools. So i would say focus on your profile now.

I m sure you will get into school of your choice....I m keeping up my fight from last year and a half r so.....lets c wen can RIP

Archit

Sachin9 · Answer

Yeah, and there's no place we can find the new kind of SC questions I guess!

Sachin9 · Answer

Yup! thanks a lot, Archit!

We will rock!

GMATNinja · Answer

Sorry to join the conversation so late! Bummer that things didn't go your way, Sachin. You deserved better.

I really appreciate your attitude toward it all, though. Sometimes we forget that the GMAT is only a very small part of the picture, and the rest of your profile matters much more than your GMAT score. Sure, a 640 is going to make life tough for you at the top programs, but if you can make the rest of your application truly special, then you'll have some really good options. Some of the top European programs seem to be particularly agnostic when it comes to the GMAT, so maybe it's worth focusing some of your attention over there.

It's been a pleasure getting to know you on the forums, Sachin. Enjoy your break from studying, and I'll look forward to some good news during the next admissions cycle.

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks a lot Charles for your blogs and posts. They are special.

VeritasPrepRon · Answer

Hi Sachin9,

I haven't been on this forum for that long but I have noticed your active participation in all kinds of discussions and questions, so I wanted to take the time to thank you for your input and congratulate you on your pragmatic view of the entire GMAT experience. You put in a lot of dedication and effort and the result may not have been exactly what you wanted but the entire experience has undoubtedly made you wiser and more prepared for whatever else life throws your way. I'm hopeful this was an experience you will look back on fondly in the future.

I also hope to hear positive news from you in the future.

Best of luck!
-Ron

RJSPO · Answer

Sachin ..Don't give up . Although there are many factors that influence admissions at top schools,gmat is the single biggest factor...I suggest a retake again after a few months.

My story is very similar to yours.
I have been fighting the battle to 'conquer' the gmat for 6 months now. Its been only work and gmat prep for me all this while.I used Jeff Sackman books the 1st time ...ended up with a pathetic 450 on the GMAT. Took a break . Studied for 2 months .Scored a 600 this time. I was expecting a 650.
Have started to study again after a break . This time I hope to do well . :-)

Archit143 · Answer

Hi RJSPO..
this is apart from the topic being discussed...I think Total gmat math is fr those, who have already reached a level of 45 in quants....i think it may help u nw...
i may be wrong...bt i have read feedbacks, that say , its for test takers who already have reached a level of 45...

it will be gr8 if u cn share ur experiences...

Archit

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks RJSPO. I ain't giving up my aspirations to get into a good B school. I have spent enough money and time on GMAT so far and I think I must work on other aspects of my application and give a try. I may or may not take GMAT again but for at least 1 year, I am not gonna take GMAT.

Sachin9 · Answer

Thanks a lot for the kind words Ron. I believe everything happens for our own good and a 640 on GMAT might be a blessing in disguise!

RJSPO · Answer

Archit - I stopped using Total GMAT Math after my 1st GMAT attempt. I use only MGMAT Strategy guides now.
If you think so, I will certainly look at Total GMAT again ...It does hv very useful shortcuts/tips.

Do you think Sackman's Challenge set would help improve my Quant score to 49-50 ?

Sachin9 · Answer

GMAT Club CATs will help for sure provided you use them properly and I can vouch for that.

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End of my GMAT Journey!

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