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24 Sep 2014, 06:24
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Having spent dozens (maybe hundreds) of hours on this page, studying these forums and quant question explanations, I feel it is my responsibility to provide a solid debrief and share some tips that I used to transform my score. While my score may not be what many GMAT Club posters are aiming for, it is good enough for me to be competitive at the schools that I want to go to and I am very happy.
Personal Background
I am a military officer who is in charge of about 50 people who are geographically dispersed worldwide. While I can't get into specifics, I will tell you that I am at work every day from 0545 to about 1900, and am EXHAUSTED at the end of work each day. I do not usually work on weekends though, so I needed to maximize Saturday and Sunday. In January, after studying for 2 months, I took the GMAT and scored a 660 (Q42, V40). This was a disaster, as I was scoring above 700 on all my practice tests leading up to the big day. The stress of the day was compounded by the fact that I had to switch my exam date and location one week prior to my scheduled exam! I went from a comfortable situation of taking the text 15 minutes from home, to the circumstance of taking my exam a day earlier than expected 2.5 hours from home. Lets just say my 2.5 hour drive home was miserable, but thankfully I was able to dull my senses with a Chipotle binge in Frankfurt. Upon arriving home late that night, I decided to put the books away and focus on my job. I wasn't applying until R1 2015, so there was no rush. With that being said, a month and a half ago, things changed and I will now be applying R2 of this year (no, I did not get fired
). So, in mid August, my preparation began.
Resources
OG12
Verbal and Quand 2nd ED
MGMAT 4th Edition Guides
GMAT Prep Software with question pack and exam pack
4 x GMAT Prep tests used
Powerscore CR Bible
Methodology
I began my study by reviewing all of the non-advanced chapters of my MGMAT guides. I did not believe that my disappointing prior score was due to a lack of knowledge, but I definitely needed a review after 7-8 months of time off. Surprisingly, the concepts came back to me fairly quickly and I was soon at, what I thought, was my level in January. I then began the advanced chapters, but quickly got bored with them and didn't feel like I was getting any better or gaining any additional knowledge (I had already done them once in the past). Miraculously, while reviewing the advanced chapters, I had an epiphany. My issue was not base knowledge, but my performance on ACTUAL GMAT problems. So, with about one month until the test, I decided to shift my practice from conceptual learning to STRICTLY the execution and review of timed sets of OG problems. I had about 1800 official problems at my disposal, and needed to begin taping that resource. For the most part, I would do sets of 10 questions for 20 minutes. I then would record the results of the set, to include time, problems incorrect, and problems correct that needed review. Before moving on, would complete the problems that required review several times until I was proficient in them. For me, this practice was the single largest difference between my 660 and 710. I became extremely comfortable under timed conditions, and my data sufficiency execution speed increased exponentially. For the last month, I did this and watched my scores climb rapidly and I began to truly get a sense of both my quantitative and verbal ability. Before taking the test, I predicted a Q48, V42 for myself, and was fairly accurate.
Practice Tests:
GMATPrep 1: 17 AUG 14: 710, Q46, V41
GMATPrep 2: 07 SEP 14: 720, Q47, V42
GMATPrep 3: 21 SEP 14: 740, Q48, V44
GMAT Prep 4: 23 SEP 14: 730, Q47, V44
The GMAT: 24SEP14: 710, Q47, V42
Takeaways/ Tips
- Sometimes a time off can help. It definitely did in my case.
- I never used an overall score as my measuring stick, I used my section scores. While I knew wanted a 730 or higher, I knew this would come if I could achieve my section goals. Unfortunately, I reached my section goals, but it somehow did not compute to a 730 (more on this later).
- Practice, practice, practice: If you have OG12, both 2nd Edition question banks, and the GMATPrep question pack, you have over 1800 problems at your disposal. If OG problems are the best, then why would you do anything else? I probably completed about 500 but, if I had time, would have completed more.
- Relax: My test was on a Wednesday and I took Monday and Tuesday off. So, prior to the test I had 4 days off. My first goal was to FORGET about work. By Sunday morning, my mind was at ease and I was able to take practice tests with a clear mind. I may be the only one, but sometimes during practice tests my mind will drift off into problems are work that I am still trying to solve. Forgetting about work allowed to my focus on the task at hand.
- Test Day: Going to the test center before test day is definitely valuable. Also, as many have mentioned, food is important. My test was at 10, and I usually have lunch at 1130, so around 1300 I am STARVING. Some people only need to chug black coffee or a Red Bull, and that can get them through the verbal. My strategy was a Snickers Marathon Bar on each break and to chug my coffee at every chance.
- Did I forget to mention PRACTICE: Practice how you play the game. Taking my practice exams at 1000, the same time as my exam, helped me understand how my body will react at 1230 when it's time to begin verbal.
- Powerscore CR Bible is outstanding. Even if you only read and fully comprehend the first two chapters, it is valuable. I completed the first two chapters and also the books expedited plan and almost became perfect at CR. If you can identify a conclusion and its premises, you are 3/4 of the way to a correct answer.
- As a native speaker, I didn't get much value out of the MGMAT guides (even the hallowed SC guide). Just one man's opinion.
Thank You
I would like to thank all the members of this community for their contribution, specifically Bunuel for his quant answer explanations. They were a great tool for helping me understand a variety of concepts. Additionally, posts by BB were excellent for helping me figure out what to study. If anyone has any questions, let me know and I will answer.
One Concern
I know that I am a Q47 and V42, but am REALLY unsure how this resulted in a 710 overall score. If someone has a better understanding of how this could happen, please let me know. I know that no-one knows the algorithm, but 800 score shows it as a 730! I do take solace in the face that the ADCOMS will see the entire score and likely think the same thing as I. Any commentary on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Again, thank you everybody, and good luck on the GMAT!!!!
NCK
Personal Background
I am a military officer who is in charge of about 50 people who are geographically dispersed worldwide. While I can't get into specifics, I will tell you that I am at work every day from 0545 to about 1900, and am EXHAUSTED at the end of work each day. I do not usually work on weekends though, so I needed to maximize Saturday and Sunday. In January, after studying for 2 months, I took the GMAT and scored a 660 (Q42, V40). This was a disaster, as I was scoring above 700 on all my practice tests leading up to the big day. The stress of the day was compounded by the fact that I had to switch my exam date and location one week prior to my scheduled exam! I went from a comfortable situation of taking the text 15 minutes from home, to the circumstance of taking my exam a day earlier than expected 2.5 hours from home. Lets just say my 2.5 hour drive home was miserable, but thankfully I was able to dull my senses with a Chipotle binge in Frankfurt. Upon arriving home late that night, I decided to put the books away and focus on my job. I wasn't applying until R1 2015, so there was no rush. With that being said, a month and a half ago, things changed and I will now be applying R2 of this year (no, I did not get fired
). So, in mid August, my preparation began.Resources
OG12
Verbal and Quand 2nd ED
MGMAT 4th Edition Guides
GMAT Prep Software with question pack and exam pack
4 x GMAT Prep tests used
Powerscore CR Bible
Methodology
I began my study by reviewing all of the non-advanced chapters of my MGMAT guides. I did not believe that my disappointing prior score was due to a lack of knowledge, but I definitely needed a review after 7-8 months of time off. Surprisingly, the concepts came back to me fairly quickly and I was soon at, what I thought, was my level in January. I then began the advanced chapters, but quickly got bored with them and didn't feel like I was getting any better or gaining any additional knowledge (I had already done them once in the past). Miraculously, while reviewing the advanced chapters, I had an epiphany. My issue was not base knowledge, but my performance on ACTUAL GMAT problems. So, with about one month until the test, I decided to shift my practice from conceptual learning to STRICTLY the execution and review of timed sets of OG problems. I had about 1800 official problems at my disposal, and needed to begin taping that resource. For the most part, I would do sets of 10 questions for 20 minutes. I then would record the results of the set, to include time, problems incorrect, and problems correct that needed review. Before moving on, would complete the problems that required review several times until I was proficient in them. For me, this practice was the single largest difference between my 660 and 710. I became extremely comfortable under timed conditions, and my data sufficiency execution speed increased exponentially. For the last month, I did this and watched my scores climb rapidly and I began to truly get a sense of both my quantitative and verbal ability. Before taking the test, I predicted a Q48, V42 for myself, and was fairly accurate.
Practice Tests:
GMATPrep 1: 17 AUG 14: 710, Q46, V41
GMATPrep 2: 07 SEP 14: 720, Q47, V42
GMATPrep 3: 21 SEP 14: 740, Q48, V44
GMAT Prep 4: 23 SEP 14: 730, Q47, V44
The GMAT: 24SEP14: 710, Q47, V42
Takeaways/ Tips
- Sometimes a time off can help. It definitely did in my case.
- I never used an overall score as my measuring stick, I used my section scores. While I knew wanted a 730 or higher, I knew this would come if I could achieve my section goals. Unfortunately, I reached my section goals, but it somehow did not compute to a 730 (more on this later).
- Practice, practice, practice: If you have OG12, both 2nd Edition question banks, and the GMATPrep question pack, you have over 1800 problems at your disposal. If OG problems are the best, then why would you do anything else? I probably completed about 500 but, if I had time, would have completed more.
- Relax: My test was on a Wednesday and I took Monday and Tuesday off. So, prior to the test I had 4 days off. My first goal was to FORGET about work. By Sunday morning, my mind was at ease and I was able to take practice tests with a clear mind. I may be the only one, but sometimes during practice tests my mind will drift off into problems are work that I am still trying to solve. Forgetting about work allowed to my focus on the task at hand.
- Test Day: Going to the test center before test day is definitely valuable. Also, as many have mentioned, food is important. My test was at 10, and I usually have lunch at 1130, so around 1300 I am STARVING. Some people only need to chug black coffee or a Red Bull, and that can get them through the verbal. My strategy was a Snickers Marathon Bar on each break and to chug my coffee at every chance.
- Did I forget to mention PRACTICE: Practice how you play the game. Taking my practice exams at 1000, the same time as my exam, helped me understand how my body will react at 1230 when it's time to begin verbal.
- Powerscore CR Bible is outstanding. Even if you only read and fully comprehend the first two chapters, it is valuable. I completed the first two chapters and also the books expedited plan and almost became perfect at CR. If you can identify a conclusion and its premises, you are 3/4 of the way to a correct answer.
- As a native speaker, I didn't get much value out of the MGMAT guides (even the hallowed SC guide). Just one man's opinion.
Thank You
I would like to thank all the members of this community for their contribution, specifically Bunuel for his quant answer explanations. They were a great tool for helping me understand a variety of concepts. Additionally, posts by BB were excellent for helping me figure out what to study. If anyone has any questions, let me know and I will answer.
One Concern
I know that I am a Q47 and V42, but am REALLY unsure how this resulted in a 710 overall score. If someone has a better understanding of how this could happen, please let me know. I know that no-one knows the algorithm, but 800 score shows it as a 730! I do take solace in the face that the ADCOMS will see the entire score and likely think the same thing as I. Any commentary on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Again, thank you everybody, and good luck on the GMAT!!!!
NCK
24 Sep 2014, 15:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for sharing your debrief? What was your thought on sentence correction? Did you feel they were similar to the official questions?
m3equals333
24 Sep 2014, 19:44
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Bookmarks
Thanks for sharing, great story and score!
I've always wondered about the Q/V vs Overall Scoring as well - I can understand the question difficulty or raw score algo/methodology changing based on the statistical distribution of scores for that period, but don't understand why the Q/V raw scores --> total score should ever change.....I'm sure there's a reason behind it though..
I've always wondered about the Q/V vs Overall Scoring as well - I can understand the question difficulty or raw score algo/methodology changing based on the statistical distribution of scores for that period, but don't understand why the Q/V raw scores --> total score should ever change.....I'm sure there's a reason behind it though..
